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What are the safety standards with regards to Jump Starting of Equipment in the Mining Environment?
We are not aware of specific legal guidelines enforced by the MHSA regarding the procedure. It is the responsibility of the owner to set and comply with safety standards.
Legislation will not contain procedures on operational tasks. The only legislation regarding electricity or machinery is found in the MHSA 29 of 1996 Regulations Chapters 4 and 8.
All amendments to the Act is recorded in the Government Gazette.
Jump Starting of Equipment will be captured in Issue/Task based Risk Assessment and addressed in a (SOP) Safe Operating– or (SWP) Safe Work Procedure.
The procedures will depend on the type of machine but here are some guidelines:
Surface Mobile Equipment using receptacles:
- Fit all machines with jumpstart receptacles. This minimizes the risk of a possible battery explosion injuring bystanders.
- If, after testing, the engine does not start, or cranks slowly, the following should be done:
- Ensure that jumping receptacles are connected properly, and that the receptacles cables connected to the machines starter motors are not loose.
- If all the cables are connected properly try to start the engine again, and check the voltage drop whistle cranking.
- If the voltage drops too low (below ± 14 volts) the jumpstarting should be stopped, and the following done.
- Make sure that the starter motors are in satisfactory condition. A short-circuiting starter motor can cause the abnormal voltage drop.
- Do not attempt to jumpstart the machine again, before ensuring that the starter motors are in satisfactory condition, as this will result in damaged to the external sources batteries and charging system, or even electrical components, and receptacles.
- If the starter motors are in satisfactory condition you should allow for a longer period of time before attempting starting the engine.
Light Driving Vehicle using jumping cables:
- Jump-start cables shall be clearly identifiable one black and one red, and marked positive (+ve) and negative (-ve) respectively.
- Crocodile clips shall be attached to both ends of both cables and should not be corroded in any way.
- Jump cables shall be kept by the Mechanical Foreman and only issued by him to authorized persons.
- Only persons who have been trained on how to jump start a vehicle are permitted to draw and use the jump start cables
- Check the battery of vehicle to be jump-started and replace if necessary.
- Ensure that the two vehicles are parked close enough to one another.
- The assist vehicle is kept running.
- Both vehicles are in neutral gear and brakes are fully engaged.
- Safety Goggles or a face-shield must be worn when attaching terminals.
- Clip connection:
- Attach the positive cable end ( Red ) to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
- Attach the positive cable end ( Red ) to the positive terminal of the charged battery.
- Attach the negative cable end ( Black ) to the negative terminal of the charged battery.
- Attach the negative cable end ( Black ) to any part of the vehicle body that is exposed. ( Do not attach the negative cable end to the negative terminal on the battery. )
- Care must be taken to avoid the two cable ends (crocodile clips) from coming into contact with one another.
- Start the disabled vehicle.
- Ensure that when removing the jump-start cables the black cable is removed first from both batteries then the red.
- Ensure that cable ends do not touch or make contact with one another.
- All persons assisting with the procedure shall retreat to a safe position before any vehicle is allowed to move.
Information provided by
Jaco Geyser – Northern Cape Regional SHEQ Manager
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