Importance of Hard Hat Stickers in the Mining Industry
Hard hat stickers are incentives that help workers think about their health and safety when working in the coal and mining industry.
The on-the-job risks in the coal mining industry can be very dangerous. The hard hat stickers worn by miners tell stories of the mining culture and the dangerous experiences they’ve encountered. Mining isn’t as glamorous as Hollywood makes it out to be and seldom do they receive the same attention when an injury occurs.
To protect miners, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has created a Program Policy Manual with specific compliance standards.
Miners are required to wear hard hats or caps that meet or exceed the applicable specification of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provide appropriate head protection and
follow the requirements, per MSHA.
MSHA and the U.S. Department of labor have created hard hat sticker designs to motivate workers to stay safe. For example, in 2015 they created a hard hat sticker to remind coal miners that: “Just because it’s supported doesn’t mean it’s safe.”
Miners working in tight conditions for long hours underground only have artificial light. Something as simple as reflective hard hat stickers will help miners stand out so they’re easily noticed. That’s just one of the reasons hard hat stickers are important in the mining industry.
Hard hat stickers can also help miners by:
- Motivating them with safety slogans and bold messages printed on hard hat stickers
- Adding visibility to emergency response teams with retroreflective stickers
- Showing patriotism with American Flag hard hat stickers
- Keeping emergency information accessible for first responders
- Recognizing miners that are CPR certified and trained
- Identifying visitors and/or work status
How does MSHA protect workers?
Per MSHA, mine operators working in underground coal mines should have adequate ventilation in the mine. Miners should apply liberal amounts of rock dust, conduct frequent and thorough examinations, and be familiar with emergency procedures that prevent coal-mine ignitions and explosions.
MSHA carries out the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
(Mine Act) as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006.
MSHA enforcement activities include:
- Conducting many inspections.
- Investigating fatal and serious nonfatal accidents
- Issuing citations and orders for any observes violations
- Conducting health sampling of respirable dust and noise exposure at mines.
- Watch toxic materials and harmful physical agents
- Investigating complaints of hazardous conditions reported by miners
- Investigating criminal violations
- Examining complaints of discrimination reported by miners
- Conducting safety and health conferences with mine operators on violations that are issued.
MSHA encourages miners and mine operators to work safely and “Knock out the Risk” of injury.
Motivate safe work behaviors. Provide miners with incentives, such as hard hat stickers, so they know they’re valued and reminded to stay safe at work.