Safe use of large vehicle and earthmoving equipment

Many mine accidents involve vehicles and earthmoving equipment and they are often fatal. It is therefore important that the hazards associated with vehicles and equipment are identified and the risks controlled. Good, well enforced, vehicle operating procedures can make a significant contribution to reducing deaths and injuries. A versatile approach is needed to reduce these hazards. It must address all the risk factors and the people that are involved.

Think about the hazards that are associated with the operation of a vehicle or earthmoving equipment. Ask your employees what they think. They may notice things that you have overlooked. Make sure you understand all safety procedures when carrying out the task. If you are not sure ask your supervisor.

Vehicles must be suitable for the place in which they are to be used and for the work they carry out.

The selection of suitable work equipment can reduce or eliminate many risks at the mine. Starting with the right equipment is essential and much easier and cheaper than to modify it later.

Factors to consider when choosing a vehicle:

To maneuver safely the driver needs to be able to see all around the vehicle or to be automatically warned if there is a person or object in the danger area. Vehicles should be designed to provide sufficient visibility and be fitted with windows, mirrors, close-circuit TV (CCTV) and sensing equipment as appropriate.

Many vehicles have substantial blind spots, not only immediately behind the vehicle, but also alongside and immediately in front of it. Accidents occur when vehicles move off or turn while a pedestrian or vehicle is passing in a blind spot.

Even when the driver’s visibility is considered adequate, pedestrians should, so far as is reasonably practicable, be kept out of the area where vehicles operate.

Significantly smaller vehicles may be at risk of being crushed. Like pedestrians, they should ideally be kept away from areas where large vehicles operate. If this cannot be achieved, they should be painted with distinctive colours, fitted with flashing lights or otherwise made readily visible to drivers of other vehicles.

“The risk of falling and injury when entering, leaving or moving around on a large vehicle or machine may largely be avoided through good permanent access to cabins and other work areas. Appropriate safety rails should be provided at all workplaces on the machine.”

Many injuries are the result of vehicles overturning. All drivers should therefore wear appropriate seat belts, preferably with a full harness, as should passengers when reasonably practicable.

Vehicle seats should be designed, maintained and adjusted to minimize the adverse effects of whole body vibration on the driver, particularly where vehicles are used on rough terrain.

A suitable inspection scheme should be in place to ensure that vehicles brakes are in good condition at all times. This is often combined with other maintenance work.

Vehicles should be fitted with devices to prevent tipping bodies accidentally collapsing from the raised position during maintenance. It is useful to put a notice on the vehicle to reinforce the use of the devices. Raised body alarms can reduce the risk of vehicles being driven ‘tipped’ and striking obstructions.

Limiting the vehicle speed is an important part of hazard control.

The best way to control speed includes the following:

Speed limit measurements may expose hazards of their own. Careful planning should be in order as it should be practical and sensible.

Vehicle crashes is the number one cause for death of people age 3 to 34 years. An estimated 39 000 – 46 000 people are killed in vehicle crashes every year. More than 2.2 million recorded injuries from crashes in 2008 alone. More than 1.6 million crashes are caused by cell phone use and texting while driving each year.

Driver distraction is the leading factor to fatal and serious injury crashes. In 2008, 28% of all crashes attribute to cell phones. Cell phone users are four times more likely to cause an accident. 11% of drivers are on cell phones. 81% of drivers admit to talk on their cell phone while driving.

Multitasking for the brain is a myth. Human brains do not perform two tasks at the same time. The brain filters information due to overload and drivers are not aware of information filtered out. A driver then misses potential hazards.

When use your cell phone while driving it cause inattention blindness. It’s a type of cognitive distraction where a driver is looking, but not seeing.

Many people are killed by accidents involving vehicles. Therefore is it essential for better planning, training, awareness and using vehicles that are suitable, reliable and well maintained.

The standard of vehicles used at mines should be as good as vehicles used on public roads. Regular inspections and maintenance should be done to ensure a safe workplace.