The mining industry employs more than 300,000 people in coal and metal/non-metal mines. The industry has a reputation for employee health issues, injuries, and deaths.
Mining deaths did reach record lows in 2019, but as a mining employer, you can’t afford to let your guard down.
You need to have the right work safety gear for your mining employees. What kind of gear do they need?
Keep reading to find out.
Table of Contents
A Life-Saving Acronym
Work safety gear is great as long as your employees wear the gear. Some of your employees might love motorcycle riding.
They’ll be familiar with ATGATT. That’s a reminder to wear all the gear all the time. It’s important to remind your employees that they need to wear their safety gear all of the time.
All it takes is one quick moment for debris to shoot towards a worker that took off their gear for a minute.
The Most Important Mining Safety Gear
What do workers need to have? Part of that answer depends on the job duties. You need to remember that the purpose of worker safety gear is to make workers more visible, protect against weather, and provide physical protection.
The essential areas of the body that need to have coverage are the ankles, knees, hips, arms, hands, head, and shoulders.
Gloves, helmets, boots, jackets, safety goggles, earplugs, specialized pants, and jackets are essential safety gear.
That’s not all. Workers have to be in conditions that support safety. They need to have good ventilation, fall protection measures, and all equipment has to be maintained.
Finding a Safety Gear Vendor
It’s helpful to have one vendor to provide worker safety gear. That’s because you can often get volume discounts.
You also have a solid relationship with the vendor, which is a plus when you have any issues.
It’s important to find a provider that has the equipment that you need and a wide selection to choose from. Companies such as Master Brands and Grainger have what you’ll need.
Proper Training Is a Must
Training is necessary to protect you and your employees. Your employees have to be trained on the proper way to wear safety gear.
They should also know how well the gear fits. For instance, they should know that their clothes shouldn’t be loose or distracting.
Workers also have to be trained on the latest safety measures and protocols. They should know what to do in emergencies and how to handle any situation.
Work Safety Gear for Your Employees
Worker safety should be a priority in your business. You need to make sure that your employees have the best work safety gear to protect them from injury and death.
Make sure that you do everything you can to give them the proper training to use the safety gear and make sure that they always have it on.
You can reduce injuries and accidents in your mining business. The steps in this article give your employees confidence that you have their interests and mining safety in mind.
Be sure to take a look at the other articles on this site for more business tips.
