Topic: Safety in quarrying
Category: Mining & Quarrying Industry
Definitions:
Mining: the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth.
This extraction is usually from an ore body, lode, vein, seam, reef or placer deposit.
Quarrying: type of open pit mine in which dimension stone, rock, construction aggregate,
riprap, sand, gravel, or slate is excavated from the ground.
Risks:
● Inhaling airborne pollutants, (e.g dust or fumes), can trigger respiratory problems and
asthmatic attacks.
● Heavy noise pollution can lead to hearing problems, tinnitus or deafness.
● Excessive vibration from hand-held tools can lead to circulatory problems or hand-arm
vibration syndrome.
● Improper work practices can lead to awkward body positions or repetitive movements
that lead to injuries. Upper-limb disorders, repetitive strain injuries and other
musculoskeletal conditions can all occur as a result of quarry work.
● Being injured by the machineries and maybe undergoing the amputation of their limbs.
● Exposure to radiation, including UV, can cause illness or disease.
● Falling trees and other material sliding from the tailings area onto people and
machines.
● Uneven terrain causing unpredictable movement of vehicles.
●Slips, trips and falls from height.
Safety Procedures:
● Maintenance of roads.
● Maintenance of edge protection and safety banks.
● Maintenance of vehicles - brake maintenance.
● Dust control – maintenance of dust extraction equipment and air filter systems.
● Appropriate tools and equipment, including PPE, are available and used.