A Resource Blog on MSHA and Above Ground Aggregate Mines

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Hi,

Thanks for stopping by to take a look! We hope that you will find some useful information as you browse this site. We welcome you as part of this informal group where we can communicate about what is going on in the industry regarding MSHA. Please feel free to leave your comments (but remember that MSHA does read this site too.) To contact us through the phone or email with your stories and concerns, call Cary or Kathy Matthews, at 541-536-1771 or 541-410-4673 (Cary's cell). Our fax number is 541-536-1772. You can email us at: lapineredimixinc@hotmail.com

New blog posts are featured on this page, and other information is found by category by clicking on the pages links above.

We encourage you to join up with your local aggregate association, because there is strength in numbers. If there is not one in your area yet, please consider forming one.

Take care, and remember to be in contact with your state officials to voice your concerns about MSHA. Our tax dollars pay for MSHA, which is under the Department of Labor. Our fine money goes into the general fund, and we cannot afford to keep paying out costly fines on the more and more frequent trivial citations to essentially support government spending. At least that is how I feel about it.

~ Kathy


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Saturday, April 4, 2009

Conveyor Safety and Electical Safety from the MSHA Safety Log:

Conveyor Safety

Best practices for operation and maintenance.


* Always Stay Alert!

* Lock out the conveyor power switch and tag it before you work on that conveyor.

* Align the belt from a safe place and only after you're sure the conveyor can't grab you.

* Return idlers look safe, but they can hurt you. Never try to fix or adjust them while the conveyor is running.

* Conveyor stop cords are for your safety. Check them periodically to make sure they actually work.

* Use a harness or safety belt and line when working where you can fall from a conveyor.

* A clean walkway means a safer walk. Keep conveyor walkways clear. Cross conveyors only at crossovers.

* If the belt is in motion, don't manually apply belt dressing. Only pressurized dressings can be put on while the conveyor is running.

* Don't clean running conveyor pulleys.

* Don't use a shovel, hoe, or other hand tool to clean material buildup from a belt that is running.

* Don't try to dislodge rocks from pulleys while the conveyor is running.

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Electrical Safety

Best Practice Tips

Accident Prevention:

* Only trained and experienced electricians should work on electrical equipment.

* Work should be performed only on de-engergized electrical installations unless necessary for the work or repair process.

* Lockout and Tagout safeguards should be installed and removed by the person doing the work --- do not rely on others.

* Ensure grounding devices are maintained and tested as required.

* Call for repairs promptly when deficiencies or defects are discovered.

* Maintain ample clearance from overhead power lines.



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