MSHA HANDBOOK SERIES - PH13-V-1 - Mine Safety and Health ...

COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH
GENERAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES HANDBOOK CHAPTER 3
i. Talk with miners about the following:
1) Knowledge and awareness of potential rock falls;
2) Scaling issues and safety;
3) Effects of water and of freezing and thawing cycles on the highwall;
4) Recent accidents and near misses;
5) Unstable and potentially hazardous conditions;
6) Hazards of working near a highwall;
7) Limiting exposure to the highwall;
8) Ground control plan provisions and training;
9) Hazards they have observed;
10) Barricading techniques at the mine;
11) Using personal protective equipment;
12) Maintaining equipment in safe operating condition; and
13) Remaining focused on the task being performed and limiting
distractions.
j. Inspect for the effectiveness of water management.
k. Inspect for loose material on the top of the highwall.
l. Inspect any monitoring equipment and instrumentation that is required by
the ground control plan to ensure it is in proper working condition.
m. Inspect spoil piles to ensure safety of persons exposed and for compliance
with ground control plan provisions.
n. Inspect dump points for compliance with regulations and ground control
plan provisions.
Documentation Required: Documentation should include the location description. In
addition, the inspector should document in the remarks section, Item 17 of the Mine
Activity Data sheet (MSHA Form 2000-22) that the Ground Control Plan in effect at
the mine is adequate or otherwise note the deficiencies in the plan. This would serve as
documentation that the Ground Control Plan was evaluated during this inspection.
18. Hoisting Equipment. An inspection shall be conducted of all hoisting
equipment, including structure condition, guarding, accumulations, lighting,
electrical installations, rope condition, fire protection, safety devices, and safe
access for compliance with applicable standards. The inspector should observe
at least one complete cycle of operation of all hoisting equipment including
emergency hoists.
Release 1 (February 2013) 3-37