Miners specialize in different disciplines within the trade. While all mines are diverse in how they operate, minors face common health and safety hazards.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) stipulates mandatory training requirements for miners. MSHA imposes minimum annual training courses for new and experienced miners. Refresher courses are mandatory, and they equip miners with the latest safety codes.
MSHA considers you a miner if you’re a contractor in mining operations such as:
- Blasting
- Crushing
- Drilling
- Extraction
- Equipment maintenance
- Screening of mineral mines
Seven Common Mining Health Safety Risks
Miners pay high premiums for their health, life, and liability insurance covers. Mining is risky, but MSHA regulates the industry by addressing safety concerns.
The following are common risks to your mining career:
- Coal dust: Inhaling coal dust has caused miners to suffer lung scarring. The occupational disease is touted as ‘miner’s black lung.’
- Noise: This includes hammering, drilling, heavy machinery, shouting, and blasting. Mining operations get so loud that miners suffer sleep disturbances, tinnitus, or hearing loss.
- Whole-body vibration: This risk is common to all miners, but it’s most common to drilling experts.
- UV exposure: Open-pit mines expose workers to UV exposure. UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer. Scholars note Australia has significant open mining activities and the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. UV exposure also causes dehydration. It’s easy to get fatigued while working under the hot sun.
- Musculoskeletal disorders: Mining activities take a toll on your bones, muscles, and nerves. Common causes of musculoskeletal disorders include falls, heavy lifts, and tripping.
- Heat stress: Miners get exposed to unhealthy amounts of thermal stress because extraction processes require fiery infernos. Mining environments are often hot and humid.
- Chemical corrosions and poisoning: Mining operations are hazardous and expose you to toxic chemicals.
Why Are OSHA Courses Important?
OSHA.NET provides comprehensive workplace safety courses for miners. We aspire to do more than prepare you for MSHA certification; we train you for safety and efficiency.
At OSHA.NET, we meet all the requirements for MSHA Approved Instructors. Our MSHA certifications are a culmination of extensive training and stakeholder meetings.
Our MSHA Approved Instructors are competent and compliant with:
- MSHA Part 48 Instructor training
- Electrical safety
- MSHA Part 46 Surface Miners training
- Safety and health administration
Miners must complete annual refresher courses and need to update their competencies with the latest mining codes from MSHA regulations.
Talk to us about your mining safety concerns and training available.
