11
• Utilizing proper lifting techniques
– Lifting with your legs and not your back
– Keeping a heavy load close to your body while
lifting
– Avoiding twisting and turning while lifting
– Ensuring grip and feet are secure when lifting
• Utilizing the buddy system for lifting heavy loads
• Utilizing mechanical equipment for lifting and trans-
porting heavy loads if available
• Taking breaks as needed to avoid overexertion and
fatigue.
Drilling Best Practices
Drilling, whether to install borehole pressure cells (BPCs)
or roof/rib extensometers, involves moving and rotating
parts but also using drill steel that could have sharp edges.
Hands-off drilling is an excellent practice for researchers
and operators to utilize to stay safe during drilling opera-
tions (MSHA, 2013). Watching hand placement and
identifying pinch points is essential for researchers when
adding/subtracting drill steel.
Researchers should also use hand protection (gloves)
when handling drill steel to avoid hand injuries such as
cuts, abrasions, and lacerations. Safety glasses shall be worn
while drilling and connecting or disconnecting drill steel to
avoid flying debris that could cause eye injuries.
Ladder Best Prectices
Ladder safety is very important, and it all begins with selec-
tion of the correct ladder. Selecting a ladder not suited for
the work that is to be completed can result in injuries to the
user. Inspecting the ladder before and during use is another
way researchers can mitigate hazards of working on ladders
(Whitson and Kocher, 2020). If the ladder is damaged and
not safe to use, inform mine personnel and request a safe
operable ladder to use during installation activities.
Always maintain three points of contact when using
a ladder. Ensure the ladder is level and secure when in use
and have assistance to secure the ladder while climbing up
and down (See Figure 18).
Researchers must also be aware of their surroundings
and personnel below them while working on a ladder.
Researchers must ensure tools and equipment are secure
and keep personnel out of the line of fire of falling tools and
material. Never stand on the top step of ladder. If ladder is
not of the correct height, do not use the ladder and request
a suitable ladder for the task.
• Items to look for while inspecting a ladder:
– Steps – Ensure they are not loose, cracked, bent,
or missing.
– Rails – Check that they are not cracked or bent.
– Spreader – Check that it is not loose, bent, or
broken.
– Top – Ensure that it is not cracked, loose, or
missing.
– General – Inspect for rust, loose components,
bracing, shoes, rivets.
Figure 17. Example of a mine employee making positive
contact with a shuttle car operator to inform them of
additional employees and researchers working in the area
Figure 18. Example of best practices for ladder usage
including maintaining three points of contact, ensuring the
ladder is level, and having additional employees securing the
ladder during use
• Utilizing proper lifting techniques
– Lifting with your legs and not your back
– Keeping a heavy load close to your body while
lifting
– Avoiding twisting and turning while lifting
– Ensuring grip and feet are secure when lifting
• Utilizing the buddy system for lifting heavy loads
• Utilizing mechanical equipment for lifting and trans-
porting heavy loads if available
• Taking breaks as needed to avoid overexertion and
fatigue.
Drilling Best Practices
Drilling, whether to install borehole pressure cells (BPCs)
or roof/rib extensometers, involves moving and rotating
parts but also using drill steel that could have sharp edges.
Hands-off drilling is an excellent practice for researchers
and operators to utilize to stay safe during drilling opera-
tions (MSHA, 2013). Watching hand placement and
identifying pinch points is essential for researchers when
adding/subtracting drill steel.
Researchers should also use hand protection (gloves)
when handling drill steel to avoid hand injuries such as
cuts, abrasions, and lacerations. Safety glasses shall be worn
while drilling and connecting or disconnecting drill steel to
avoid flying debris that could cause eye injuries.
Ladder Best Prectices
Ladder safety is very important, and it all begins with selec-
tion of the correct ladder. Selecting a ladder not suited for
the work that is to be completed can result in injuries to the
user. Inspecting the ladder before and during use is another
way researchers can mitigate hazards of working on ladders
(Whitson and Kocher, 2020). If the ladder is damaged and
not safe to use, inform mine personnel and request a safe
operable ladder to use during installation activities.
Always maintain three points of contact when using
a ladder. Ensure the ladder is level and secure when in use
and have assistance to secure the ladder while climbing up
and down (See Figure 18).
Researchers must also be aware of their surroundings
and personnel below them while working on a ladder.
Researchers must ensure tools and equipment are secure
and keep personnel out of the line of fire of falling tools and
material. Never stand on the top step of ladder. If ladder is
not of the correct height, do not use the ladder and request
a suitable ladder for the task.
• Items to look for while inspecting a ladder:
– Steps – Ensure they are not loose, cracked, bent,
or missing.
– Rails – Check that they are not cracked or bent.
– Spreader – Check that it is not loose, bent, or
broken.
– Top – Ensure that it is not cracked, loose, or
missing.
– General – Inspect for rust, loose components,
bracing, shoes, rivets.
Figure 17. Example of a mine employee making positive
contact with a shuttle car operator to inform them of
additional employees and researchers working in the area
Figure 18. Example of best practices for ladder usage
including maintaining three points of contact, ensuring the
ladder is level, and having additional employees securing the
ladder during use