Hazard Recognition Recognition Techniques A.5 Contributed by: Randy Newcomer, CMSP Rohrers Quarry, Inc.

Hazard Recognition

Recognition Techniques

A.5

Contributed by: Randy Newcomer, CMSP

Rohrer’s Quarry, Inc.

Mining, like every occupation or activity comes with inherent

hazards.

A primary goal of any safety action is to remove, reduce, or otherwise

manage hazards.

It’s obvious then that the first step must be to recognize the hazard!

What you can’t see CAN hurt you!

Hazard Factors to Recognize

• Environmental

• Equipment/Facility

• Human

• Management

Environmental Factors

• Noise• Vibration• Temperature Extremes• Illumination• Weather Conditions• Confined Space• Explosive or Toxic Gases• Geological

Equipment/ Facility Factors

• Guards

• Poorly Maintained

• Defects

• Arrangement of Equipment

• Warning Signs and Signals

• Poor or Substandard Construction

• Improper Storage

Human Factors

• Inadequate Training

• Insufficient Skill

• Fatigue

• Physical Abilities

• Health

• Motivation

• Attitude

Management Factors

• Time Allotted for Task

• Production Pressures

• Assignment of Responsibility

• Improper Equipment Provided

• Insufficient Funds Allocated

Many times hazards may be easy to recognize.

Other times they are more subtle and difficult to recognize in complex and

evolving mining operations.

Recognizing hazards requires a thorough understanding of:

• The Overall Mining Process.• Each Individual Operation.• Other Workers and Their Capabilities.• The Changing Nature of the Equipment.

While this requires much experience to accomplish well, bad habits can just as easily develop when the experienced worker

successfully ignores hazards without consequences.

Hazard Recognition Skillscan be developed by thoroughly

integrating them into:

• Job Descriptions and Expectations

• Task Training

• Pre-shift Inspections

• Performance Reviews

• Disciplinary Actions

Many types of hazards in mining are suggested by topics required or suggested

by Part 46 and 48 Refresher Training.• Changes at the mine that affect

health and safety.• Applicable health and safety

requirements.• Physical and health hazards of

chemicals.• Transportation controls and

communication systems.• Escape and emergency

evacuation plans.• Firewarning and firefighting.• Ground conditions and control.• Traffic patterns and control.• Working in areas of highwalls.• Water hazards, pits, and spoil

banks.

• Illumination and night work.• First aid.• Electrical hazards.• Explosives.• Respiratory devices.• Hazards associated with

equipment used at the mine.• Maintenance and repair.• Hand tools and welding

equipment.• Material handling.• Fall prevention and protection.• Working around moving objects

(machine guarding).

While it is extremely important to identify hazards in the planning

stage of mining tasks…

Hazards are not static, they change over time as environmental,

equipment, human, and management factors change!

Hazard Recognition is a never ending necessity at all stages and

levels in each and every task!

SummaryHazard Recognition involves the following factors

1. Environmental2. Equipment / Facilities 3. Human4. Management

Recognizing Hazards requires an understanding of 1. The Overall Mining Process2. Each Individual Operation3. Other Workers and Their Capabilities4. Changing Nature of Equipment

Hazard Recognition is an ongoing process as hazards change over time.

Review Questions (Answers on the next slide)

1. Match the example with the type of Hazard Factor it best represents:

a. Insufficient skill 1. Environmentalb. Defects 2. Equipment / Facility c. Time allotted for task 3. Humand. Noise 4. Managemente. Attitude

2. Which of the following statements about Hazard Recognition is most accurate?

a. Hazards are always easy to recognize.b. Experienced miners always recognize hazards.c. Hazard Recognition skills can be developed.d. Topics in MSHA-required training do not address hazards of mining.e. All hazards can be recognized in the planning stage of tasks.

3. Recognizing hazards requires a thorough understanding of which of the following? (more than one answer is correct)

a. The Changing Nature of the Equipmentb. Each Individual Operationc. The Overall Mining Processd. Statistical Analysise. Other Workers and Their Capabilities

Answers to the Review Questions

1. Match the example with the type of Hazard Factor it best represents:

a. (3) Insufficient skill = Human Factorb. (2) Defects = Equipment Factor c. (4) Time allotted for task = Management Factord. (1) Noise = Environmental Factore. (3) Attitude = Human Factor

2. Which of the following statements about Hazard Recognition is most accurate?

c. Hazard Recognition skills can be developed.

3. Recognizing hazards requires a thorough understanding of which of the following? (more than one answer is correct).

a. The Changing Nature of the Equipmentb. Each Individual Operationc. The Overall Mining Processd. Other Workers and Their Capabilities

References• Text

– Grayson, R. Larry (2001). Hazard Identification, Risk Management, and Hazard Control. In Michael Karmis (Ed.), Mine Safety and Health Management (pp. 247-261). Littleton, Colorado: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.

– North, Carol and Patricia Laing. Public Employee Safety and Health Management. National Safety Council, 1990.

References• Figures and Illustrations

– Microsoft Clip Gallery Version 5.0, Microsoft Corporation, 1998

– Rohrer’s Quarry, Inc., Randy E. Newcomer, www.rohrers.com