Metals Mining Safety Equipment and Solutions

Investing in high-quality safety equipment and providing comprehensive training on their usage can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and enhance the overall well-being of mining personnel. Emphasizing safety in metals mining not only protects workers but also contributes to the sustainable growth of the mining industry in the long run.

With more than 40 years of experience supplying safety equipment and solutions to more than 800 mines across North America, Carroll Technologies has assessed the market to find the best and most reliable products to keep metals miners safe.

Personal protective equipment for metals mining

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the first line of defence for miners. Robust PPE safeguards workers against various occupational hazards, such as falling debris, dust, toxic gases, extreme temperatures, and exposure to harmful chemicals. PPE 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, the company has sought out the best that the mining industry has to offer, including the following equipment 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 metals mines

Metals mining operations often encounter hazardous gases such as methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulphide. Gas detectors and monitors are critical safety equipment that continuously measure gas levels in the atmosphere, alerting miners to potential dangers. Early detection of hazardous gases allows for timely evacuation and the implementation of appropriate safety measures, preventing accidents and fatalities.

Carroll Technologies provides a number of self-contained breathing apparatus that is suitable for metals 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

Working at heights is a common aspect of metals mining, and it comes with a significant risk of falls. Fall protection equipment, such as harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points, is essential in safeguarding workers from dangerous falls. 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. Mines are governed by MSHA not OSHA.

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

Communications equipment

Mining sites can be expansive and isolated, making effective communication challenging. Robust emergency communication systems, including two-way radios and wireless communication devices, enable seamless interaction between miners and supervisors. These systems are crucial during emergencies, as they facilitate the coordination of rescue efforts and ensure that workers receive timely instructions and updates.

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.

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.