Ontario (Canada) officials are focusing on motor vehicles and mobile equipment during a two-month enforcement blitz at underground and surface mines across Ontario this summer.
In July and August, 2015, mining inspectors and engineers are targeting traffic control hazards that could result in workers being injured or killed. Inspectors will check that employers are complying with theOccupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations. This includes checking that the mines have good traffic control policies and procedures in place to protect workers.
Mines use motor vehicles such as locomotives and haulage trucks, and mobile equipment such as loaders and excavators.Traffic control measures are used when the vehicle or equipment operator’s visibility is limited, a situation that can put “pedestrians” (workers on foot) at risk of injury.
Good preventative measures can include:
• proper reflective clothing for workers
• effective illumination
• monitoring work conditions
• good education and training
Protecting mine workers is part of the government’s continued commitment to prevent workplace injuries and illness through its Safe At Work Ontario strategy.
Looking at some facts:
• Between 2000 and 2014, 12 workers died in Ontario mines as a result of incidents involving motor vehicles and mobile equipment.
• Since 2008, ministry inspectors have conducted more than 345,000 field visits, and 70 inspection blitzes and inspectors have issued more than 560,000 compliance orders in Ontario workplaces.
Author Kori Shafer-Stack, Editor, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in post-injury response procedures and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: kstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
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