MSHA Winter Safety You Need to Know!
Miners are faced with hazardous risks – but winter months bring increased threats.
Every year, The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (
MSHA) start a Winter Alert Campaign from December to March to emphasize increased caution and observance to safety practices during the winter months, when cold temperatures increase hazards for miners.
To address the seriousness of winter hazards, MSHA regularly visits mines around the country to heighten awareness and provide miners with educational material to motivate safe work practices.
Why are the winter months hazardous for miners?
According to MSHA, when the barometric pressure drops during colder weather, methane can migrate more easily into the mine atmosphere, increasing the risk of an explosion. Dry winter air also results in drier conditions underground, allowing coal dust to become suspended in the mine atmosphere, increasing the risk for dangerous explosions.
Winter safety starts with awareness and examinations!
To protect coal miners, consider examinations of the area the first line of defense, including:
- Check for methane
- Know the mine’s ventilation plan and maintain ventilation controls
- Continually apply rock dust to prevent the propagation of an explosion
Hazards such as limited visibility, slippery walkways, and freezing and thawing highways can also lead to accidents. Yes, there are ways to protect miners – such as safety messages, traffic signs, and more. Miners can work on preventing the above accidents by:
- Checking high walls and benches for stability
- Examining vehicles for exhaust leaks and considering limiting engine idle time. Reducing engine idle time will eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide asphyxiation
- Removing snow and ice on roadways, and applying sand to maintain traction
- Know your ventilation plan – sufficient to dilute and render harmless explosive, noxious gases, dust, and fumes
- Maintain 80% rock dust in all areas
- Continuously rock dust longwall tailgate and immediate return
Not only are protecting surface and underground coal miners from explosions of utmost importance, protecting them from cold stress-related injuries is a concern this winter.
MSHA has highlighted best practices for winter safety such as:
- Monitor your physical condition and that of your co-workers
- Wear several layers of clothing for insulation
- Protect your ears, face, hands, and feet in extremely cold or wet weather
- Include chemical hot packs in your first aid kits
- Avoid touching cold metal surfaces with bare skin
- Maintain adequate hydration and nutritional requirements
On-the-job risks in the coal mining industry are dangerous, especially this time of the year. Continuously inspect and examine the area and identify hazards in the area with signs, tags, and labels.