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Mining Project: Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazard Identification, Investigation, and Remediation at Surface Mining Facilities
Keywords: Falls from heights Ingress/egress Ladders Safety footwear Slips and trips
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Principal Investigator
Mahiyar Nasarwanji -  Request informationStart Date
1/1/2015End Date
9/30/2019Objective
To utilize a multifaceted approach to investigate slips, trips, and falls (STF) by developing tools to identify, report, and remediate STF hazards in the workplace, providing recommendations for footwear based on empirical evidence, and identifying features of mobile equipment ingress/egress systems that pose a risk of STF.Topic Area
Ergonomics and MSD Prevention
Research Summary

Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are the second-largest contributor to non-fatal injuries in the U.S. mining industry. Although well-established as a major source of injury, workplace STF hazards are still widespread. Few context-specific resources are available that mine operators can use to identify and remediate STF hazards in the workplace. There is also limited knowledge on the influence of mining footwear on gait. In addition, the ingress/egress systems of mobile equipment are a major contributor to STF injuries; however, the elements of the system that pose a risk are still unknown. Although many mine operators acknowledge STFs as a problem, they often do not have the resources or expertise to address the problem in a systematic way. In addition, the problems highlighted, such as footwear and ingress/egress, may apply to industries other than mining.
To address these issues, this project had five research aims that focus on surface stone, sand, and gravel operations, as follows:

Slip and fall hazards identified at mines: contaminants on walkways (top left), material caked into boots (top right), bent rung of mobile equipment ladder (bottom left), and trip hazards around shops (bottom right).Slip and fall hazards identified at mines: contaminants on walkways (top left), material caked into boots (top right), bent rung of mobile equipment ladder (bottom left), and trip hazards around shops (bottom right).
**Develop tools to identify, report, and remediate, in a timely manner, STF hazards in the workplace.**The goal was to provide miners and mine operators with multiple tools to identify STF hazards, help report and track these hazards, and provide recommendations to remediate the hazards. Preliminary work to identify STF hazards in the mining environment (1) categorized STF hazards from standards, guidelines, and observations into a STF hazard taxonomy, and (2) evaluated the time spent exposed to and the frequency of encountering the STF hazards. This work informed the development of a toolkit, with multiple tools to identify, report, and remediate STF hazards in a timely manner.

Test Stock Image With CaptionInvestigating the influence of metatarsal boots on stair ascent and descent.
**Provide empirical evidence of any gait modifications associated with wearing metatarsal boots that may increase the risk for STF.**The goal was to provide information to mine operators to help them determine when the risk of a trip or fall due to wearing metatarsal boots outweighs the benefits of the added foot protection. A laboratory study  quantified gait parameters, toe clearance, and heel clearance when wearing metatarsal boots as compared to regular safety toe shoes during ascent and descent from stairs and inclined walkways.

Test Stock Image With CaptionThe sole of a new work boot with its accompanying 3D scan (left) and the same boot after a year of wear (right).
**Provide empirical evidence and recommendations for boot replacement based on tread features to prevent STF.**The goal was to inform mine policy and practices by providing miners and mine managers with the knowledge to determine when to replace footwear based on wear patterns and decreased tread depths. As part of a longitudinal field study, miners were given a new pair of boots, and tread depth of the outsole was tracked over the life of the boot along with other metrics that relate to STF. Laboratory testing helped identify if the boots provided adequate slip protection at the end of the field study.

Test Stock Image With CaptionHazards in parking areas which lead to ingress and egress injuries from mobile equipment including uneven surfaces, ruts, rocks, and hoses.
**Identify which features of the ingress/egress systems pose a risk of STF to mobile equipment operators****.**The goal was to identify components of ingress/egress system that can be made safer, allowing mine operators to make better purchasing decisions and encouraging the design and acquisition of systems with better STF protection. Analysis of MSHA injury data and interviews and focus groups with equipment operators helped identify components of the ingress/egress system that can lead to STF. In addition, a laboratory study evaluated mobile equipment ladders with varying rail flexibility, which are commonly used in the mining industry.






5.     **Identify characteristics for appropriate footwear for use at surface mining facilities.**
****The goal was to develop a list of desirable and undesirable characteristics for footwear used in the mining industry based on all the aforementioned work, field visits, a review of literature, and discussions with miners and mine operators.
Although this project focused on surface stone, sand, and gravel mining operations, some of the findings may be generalizable to other commodities and operations in mining and other industries.
**Related Information on Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention**

Visit Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for Mining for detailed advice and links to related publications, infographics, and tools.


See Also
An Analysis of Injuries to Front-end Loader Operators During Ingress and Egress
Burden Associated with Nonfatal Slip and Fall Injuries in the Surface Stone, Sand, and Gravel Mining Industry
Contributing Factors to Slip, Trip, and Fall Fatalities at Surface Coal and Metal/Nonmetal Mines
Don't Slip Up!
Effects of Metatarsal Work Boots on Gait During Level and Inclined Walking
Infographic: Inspect Your Boots for Signs of Wear
Method for Measuring Wear on Boot Outsoles Using a 3D Laser Scanner
Operators' Views of Mobile Equipment Ingress and Egress Safety
Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for Mining
Steps to Ladder Safety
When Work Boots Wear Out
Page last reviewed: February 20, 2020
Page last updated: February 20, 2020
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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