In lithium mining operations, workers are exposed to various hazards, including the risk of exposure to chemical substances and fire, and physical injury. Protective clothing is a fundamental component of safety equipment, designed to minimise these risks by providing a barrier between workers and potential harm.
Essential pieces of protective clothing include flame-resistant coveralls, gloves, safety boots and hard hats. Carroll Technologies supplies products made by Protective Industrial Products (PIP), which offers an extensive range of eye, foot, hand and head protection.
When it comes to hard hats, Carroll Technologies has sought out the best that the mining industry has to offer, including the following from leading manufacturers:
MPS Centurion Vision hard hat
MPS Centurion Spectrum hard hat
MSA hard hat
NLT hard hat
475369-B V-Guard Hard Hat
475336 Comfo Cap Hard Hat
Respiratory protection in lithium mines
Lithium ore extraction and processing can release fine dust particles and potentially toxic fumes into the air, posing respiratory health risks to miners. Therefore, respiratory protection is a critical aspect of safeguarding workers. Depending on the specific working environment and potential contaminants, respirators or masks with appropriate filtration capabilities should be provided.
Carroll Technologies provides a number of self-contained breathing apparatus that is suitable for lithium mining, including the W65 Self-Rescuer Respirator from MSA, which protects against carbon monoxide poisoning. Encased inside a rugged, stainless-steel case, the lightweight W65 features a positive hermetic seal and offers an in-service life of ten years.
The M-20 by Ocenco is the world’s smallest self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR), which uses compressed oxygen to provide respiratory protection for up to 32 minutes. Ocenco’s EBA 6.5 is designed for bulk storage in the refuge chamber of a mine. It uses compressed oxygen rather than an oxidisation process, making it more comfortable to wear with a longer window of active use. Unlike other devices, it can be refurbished and upgraded.
Fall protection equipment
When working at height or in elevated areas, safety harnesses, lanyards and anchorage systems are required to prevent workers from slipping and falling. Fall protection equipment available through Carroll Technologies includes:
MSA retractable lanyards
MSA vest-style harnesses
MSA full-body harnesses
MSA lanyard restraints
MSA trauma prevention
MSA lanyards with hooks
Honeywell Miller AirCore harnesses
Honeywell personal fall limiter
Lighting equipment
Sufficient lighting should be provided in work areas to ensure visibility and prevent accidents. Carroll Technologies supplies both fixed and portable lighting solutions from the most reliable manufacturers on the market.
Northern Light Technologies’ (NLT) Polaris lamp is the most-used cordless cap lamp in mines across the globe. Carroll Technologies not only supplies these cap lights, but also acts as a service centre for NLT products and stocks repair parts. Other portable lighting solutions include the Illumagear Halo, which provides 360° visibility for a quarter of a mile and is compatible with any standard hard hat. This cordless cap light provides powerful floodlighting and spotlights while enabling freedom of movement.
X-Glo’s innovative LED Strip Lighting offers permanent and temporary lighting for miners. While conventional lighting requires separate power and a wired connection for each lamp, x-Glo’s product plugs into an existing power source.
Communications equipment
Carroll Technologies can assess mining sites to ascertain what equipment is required to maintain effective communications, providing fully customised radio communication networks.
Icom has been making rugged, two-way radio products for more than 50 years and can meet any communications needs, from underground lithium mining to large buildings.
Carroll Technologies also supplies an extensive range of mining phones and leaky feeder systems through Pyott-Boone Electronics (PBE). PBE’s Leaky Feeder System can be customised for specific site requirements to ensure optimal radio coverage and data communications, and its two-way radios offer complete communications coverage at any lithium mining site.
PPE on offer from Carroll Technologies includes hard hats, face shields, atmosphere-monitoring equipment, breathing apparatus, gloves, ear protection and safety glasses from top manufacturers. Factory certified testing and repair ensures customers get the most out of their investment, and they can contact the MinerCare 24/7 team for technical support.
Carroll Technologies president Allen Haywood says: “We have been supplying MSHA-approved hard hats for mines for many years. Some have rims that go all the way around, some are equipped for cap lights to be attached to them, some have ear-muff hearing protection attached. We have hard hats for any application. We can also have hard hats custom-made in any color or with company logos.”
The company supplies these products, among others:
MPS Centurion Vision hard hat
MPS Centurion Spectrum hard hat
NLT Hard Hat
MSA 475369-B V-Guard Hard Hat
MSA 475336 Comfo Cap Hard Hat
MSA 15244 Light Bracket Kit for MSA Lights
MSA 10061271 HPE Headband Earmuff
Protective clothing
Well-designed, high-quality boots will keep workers’ feet dry and comfortable, and safe from injury. Oliver Boots offer comfort, high performance and durability. Its range extends across zip-sided, ankle height, penetration protection, waterproof and gumboot varieties, with features such as steel toe caps and soles. Products include:
Boot, 16in muck, steel toe
Boot, muck, arctic pro steel
Boot, arctic pro
Boot, 16in muck, steel toe
Boot, chore classic black mid
Atmospheric monitoring devices
Miners can protect themselves with hand-held and fixed atmospheric monitoring devices, including multi-gas detectors, anemometers and diesel particulate monitors (DPMs), all supplied by Carroll Technologies. Anemometers are small, portable devices that use wind velocity to measure the volume of air entering and exiting a mine shaft, ensuring there is enough airflow to prevent the accumulation of dangerous gases.
The Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Altair 4X Detector can be carried by miners and alerts them to the presence of combustibles, toxins and anaerobic environments within 15 seconds of detection. The detector activates an alert when no movement is detected from an active user for 30 seconds or longer, should they be injured or unconscious. The alarm warns others of hazards in the near vicinity.
Superior Technologies provides the ST-1000 Vane Anemometer, a portable model ideal for monitoring air quality between mining sites.
Fall protection
Having a fall prevention plan in place and high-quality equipment is the best way to avoid accidents. A safety harness and lanyard should be assigned to any miner working at height. The MSHA recommends physical barriers around floor openings and visible signage where fall-protection equipment is required.
Carroll supplies a broad range of industry leading equipment from trusted manufacturers such as MSA and Honeywell Safety, including harnesses, hooks and shock-absorbing lanyards, high-quality ropes and hoists.
Products include: MSA retractable lanyards, MSA vest-style harnesses, MSA full-body harnesses, MSA lanyard restraints, MSA trauma prevention, MSA lanyards with hooks, Honeywell Miller AirCore harnesses and the Honeywell personal fall limiter.
Emergency response equipment
Self-contained self-rescuers (SCSR) are portable devices that provide miners with breathable air if the atmosphere lacks oxygen or becomes contaminated.
The Miners Self-Rescuers range includes the W65 Self-Rescuer Respirator, an air-purifying oxygen mask, designed to protect against carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. It is strapped to the head, allowing hands-free operation, and can provide the wearer with clean air for up to four hours.
Ocenco produces the EBA 6.5 closed-circuit apparatus, which uses compressed oxygen and provides up to eight hours of respiratory protection. Another Ocenco SCSR is the M-20, a belt-borne device, which is particularly useful in confined spaces. At just over 6in square and 3in thick, it is the world’s smallest SCSR and uses compressed oxygen to provide respiratory protection for up to 32 minutes. Both units can be upgraded and maintained for up to 15 years.
Lighting equipment
Efficient lighting is vital for worker safety. According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, released in 2022, about three million American workers are injured at work each year, with inadequate lighting being a key factor in the most common accidents.
Northern Light Technologies’ Polaris cap lamp (NL0329) is an award-winning headpiece that comes with an adjustable or fixed clip. It is the first MSHA-approved all-in-one cordless mining-cap lamp. It meets IECEx, M1 and US standards, as well as being verified by ATEX and Testsafe. The lamp uses a high-capacity lithium battery and LED light encased in a high-impact dust and water-resistant plastic case. A flashing beacon mode can be engaged in an emergency.
Illumagear’s Halo cap light is a cordless, 360° light that can be attached to any standard hard hat. It creates clear visibility for the wearer and coworkers by producing a full ring of light up to a quarter of a mile around it. It is also water-resistant for half an hour.
Carroll Technologies also sells the Rebel and Genesis series, the latter of which incorporates a tracking tag to locate personnel.
Improving mining communications
Carroll Technologies partners several manufacturers to provide underground communication solutions, including Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and leaky feeder radio systems. DAS can help connect dead zones and provide life-saving communications for those working in hazardous conditions. Strategically placed antennas, coax and splitters provide radio frequency coverage.
Pyott Boone (PBE) provides a wide range of leaky feeder systems, from conventional systems to a permanent radiating cable network or hybrid networks, as well as cable installation, radios and atmospheric monitoring devices. The PBE Page BossTM mine page phone series is one of the most reliable and advanced available.
Other mining equipment
Carroll Technologies provides Simplified Mining Instruments’ (SMI) ground-monitoring systems, which allow operators to analyse rock stability, make critical decisions and prevent roof collapses. They come in standard packages, which can be customised for different projects.
The Miner’s Helper Extensometer measures roof sag using a reflectorised rod that is activated when a user-defined amount of movement has occurred. Similarly, Sag Flag provides a continuous visual indication of movement as part of an early warning system and ground control management.
The Miner’s Helper Remote Readable Roof Monitor is used to measure rock strata separations or roof sag, while the Miner’s Eye Bore scope camera is used for visual inspections of boreholes, and to assess the competency of roof geology and pillars. Geologists say it is like looking at core samples without the hassle of core retrieval.
Frequently asked questions
What are the specific hazards in salt mining and how can they be mitigated?
Common hazards include noise, air contamination and problems from inhaling salt dust. To mitigate these hazards, workers should be provided with PPE such as gloves, face masks and eye protection, as well as respiratory devices where appropriate.
Which helmet lights should I choose for my workers to improve their safety?
Carroll Technologies president Allen Haywood says: “We’ve been supplying the NLT cap light for many years. It is the highest-quality cap light in comparison to others on the market. We are a service centre and stock repair parts for NLT products, so they are much better value for the customer in the long term.”
How can I track the positions of workers and equipment in a salt mine to protect both?
Carroll Technologies provides custom installation of collision avoidance systems, and offers factory-authorised repair and certification, as well as rapid response for mining emergencies, round-the-clock technical support, an extensive spare parts inventory and equipment training. The basis of most collision avoidance solutions is an effective tracking system, which can monitor the positions of workers and equipment to ensure they don’t come into contact. This can take the form of tags, worn by workers and attached to machinery, which send data to control centre operators.
Are there any regulations or guidelines for safety equipment in salt mines?
The MSHA enforces compliance with mandatory safety and health standards under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act).
How can I choose the right PPE for salt mining workers?
With more than 30 years’ experience of providing safety equipment to more than 800 mines across North America, Carroll Technologies has the experience and know-how to recommend the best solutions.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial for defending workers against various risks. This includes clothing and hazardous environment safety equipment such as hard hats, safety goggles/glasses and respiratory protection.
For its range of wearable PPE, such as gloves, hearing guards and high-visibility garments, Carroll Technologies supplies solutions manufactured by Protective Industrial Products (PIP).
According to Allen Haywood, president of Carroll Technologies: “PIP supplies just about anything that is a personal protective device. It’s a good company that we’ve been relying on for protective equipment for many years.”
When it comes to hard hats and other PPE, the company has sought out the best that the mining industry has to offer, including the following equipment from leading manufacturers:
Carroll Technologies provides a number of self-contained breathing apparatus that is suitable for cobalt mining, including the W65 Self-Rescuer Respirator from MSA, which protects against carbon monoxide poisoning. Encased inside a rugged stainless-steel case, the lightweight W65 features a positive hermetic seal and offers an in-service life of ten years.
The M-20 by Ocenco is the world’s smallest self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR), which uses compressed oxygen to provide respiratory protection for up to 32 minutes. Ocenco’s EBA 6.5 is designed for bulk storage in the refuge chamber of a mine. It uses compressed oxygen rather than an oxidisation process, making it more comfortable to wear with a longer window of active use. Unlike other devices, it can be refurbished and upgraded.
Fall protection equipment
When working at height or in elevated areas, safety harnesses, lanyards and anchorage systems are required to prevent workers falling. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards dictate that fall protection equipment must be given to people who are required to work on any surface that is higher than 6ft with an unprotected edge.
Fall protection equipment available through Carroll Technologies includes:
MSA retractable lanyards
MSA vest-style harnesses
MSA full-body harnesses
MSA lanyard restraints
MSA trauma prevention
MSA lanyards with hooks
Honeywell Miller AirCore harnesses
Honeywell personal fall limiter
Lighting equipment
Sufficient lighting – including fixed and mobile solutions – should be provided in work areas to ensure visibility and prevent accidents.
Northern Light Technologies’ (NLT) Polaris lamp is the most used cordless cap lamp in mines across the globe. Carroll Technologies not only supplies these cap lights, but also acts as a service center for NLT products and stocks repair parts.
The Illumagear Halo provides workers with 360° visibility for a quarter of a mile. Compatible with any standard hard hat, the cordless cap light provides powerful floodlighting and spotlights while enabling freedom of movement.
X-Glo’s innovative LED Strip Lighting offers permanent and temporary lighting for miners. While conventional lighting requires separate power and a wired connection for each lamp, x-Glo’s product plugs into an existing power source.
Communications equipment
Communication experts such as Carroll Technologies can assess mining sites to ascertain what equipment is required to maintain effective communications.
Considerations include:
Does a large site require radio antennas and repeaters?
Where are the best locations to prevent blackspots?
If a project is operating underground, do leaky feeder cables need to be installed?
If a project is in a public building, does the cellular or radio frequency coverage need to be improved for emergency responders with an active or passive distributed antenna system?
The PBE phone series is one of the most advanced and reliable available to the mining industry today. Page Boss models ensure clear and undistorted communications throughout an entire network, with various versions available to suit the needs of different areas.
Frequently asked questions
What safety equipment is necessary for working in cobalt mines?
Cobalt mines require many of the same safety solutions as other mining operations, including PPE, respiratory equipment, fall protection, ventilation equipment, emergency response solutions and underground communications.
How can I ensure worker safety in a cobalt mining environment?
Keeping cobalt mine workers safe requires providing them with the best safety equipment, from rugged hard hats to reliable respiratory devices. Furthermore, cobalt mines should be fitted with adequate lighting and safety signage, as well as emergency response protocols that meet Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) standards.
What are the specific hazards in cobalt mining and how can they be mitigated?
Cobalt dust in the atmosphere can be dangerous to workers, causing irritation to the skin and presenting further risk if it is inhaled. To mitigate these hazards, workers should be provided with PPE such as gloves, facemasks and eye protection, as well as respiratory devices where appropriate.
Are there any regulations or guidelines for safety equipment in cobalt mines?
The MSHA enforces compliance with mandatory safety and health standards under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act).
How can I prevent falls and ensure fall protection in a cobalt mine?
OSHA fall protection standards dictate that workers who are required to be on any surface more than 6ft high with an unprotected edge must have fall protection equipment. Cobalt mine workers must be provided with lanyards and harnesses, and mines should install railings and safety signage where necessary.
How can I choose the right PPE for cobalt mining workers?
With so many PPE and safety solutions on the market, choosing the right equipment for your cobalt mine can be a challenge. With more than 40 years’ experience of providing safety solutions to more than 800 mines across North America, Carroll Technologies is perfectly positioned to assess your safety needs and provide what you need, from hard hats to digital radios.
Efficient industrial lighting is imperative to worker safety. According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary released in 2022, approximately three million American workers are hurt on the job each year, with inadequate lighting being a key factor in the most common accidents, including slips, trips, falls, and contact with objects and equipment.
Any factor that aids vision will help workers to detect potential risks. This not only includes levels of illumination, but also factors such as glare, shadows and visual fatigue. As such, LED has emerged as a popular choice for industrial lighting due to its high efficiency and directional nature, meeting the needs of industries from offshore and power facilities to water, mining and underground tunnelling.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommendations will vary depending on the type of industrial site, but will include factors such as overhead lighting in loading and docking areas, as well bright white lighting to prevent fatigue. The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America has designed more than 100 ANSI-approved lighting standards in its ongoing missions to improve life through quality of light.
Industrial Lighting Solutions for the Water Industry
Lighting is an essential component of site safety for workers within the water industry, where operations typically include potentially hazardous projects such as tunnelling and pipeline installation. Adequate lighting is a crucial factor in reducing the likelihood and severity of injuries sustained when working in industrial settings. Sufficient industrial lighting allows workers in the water industry to clearly see the areas surrounding water pipes, thus greatly decreasing incidences of collisions and related injuries. Enhancing worker safety is of paramount importance when seeking to remain compliant with rigorous legislation, keep costs as low as possible, and maximise worker productivity.
The Northern Light Technology (NLT) Polaris lamp is the most used cordless cap lamp in mines across the globe, outstripping its competition both in terms of light output and total runtime with an output of 7,000 LUX, a runtime of 14 hours for the primary LED, and seven days for the secondary LED. Northern Lights Technologies has paved the way with mining lighting innovation, advancing on its Polaris model by incorporating proximity and tracking tags to develop the NLT Genesis.
According to Carroll Technologies president Allen Haywood. “We’ve been supplying NLT cap lights for many years. It is the highest quality cap light in comparison to others on the market, and there is a lot of competition. We are a service center and stocks repair parts for NLT products, so they are much better value for the customer in the long term.”
The Illumagear Halo provides workers with 360° visibility for quarter of a mile. Compatible with any standard hard hat, the Halo cap light from Illumagear is a cordless lighting solution that provides powerful task floodlighting and spot lights with freedom of movement.
Vision X Offroad is a leading supplier of LED lighting for off road vehicles. According to Haywood: “Vision X Offroad products are based off the newest LED technology. Their products are very well manufactured and are more cost-effective than most alternatives on the market. They have been a very reliable company to work with.”
x-Glo
x-Glo LED Strip Lighting is an innovative solution to providing both permanent and temporary industrial lighting with a safe, robust and durable product. While conventional lighting requires separate power and a wired connection for each lamp, x-Glo LED Strip Lighting plugs into an existing power source.
The Buggy Whip brand has become synonymous with high-quality safety whips. While many competitors have tried to emulate the brand’s success with LED safety antennas, Buggy Whip remains an industry leader as the longest-running manufacturer of safety whips – improving safety and preventing collisions across the globe.
