Safety first
Aggregates industry is such that dust is a part of the daily activity. This can put employees at risk of respiratory problems. Dust extraction systems, ventilation and use of water jets can effectively control dust.
The aggregate crushing industry comes with its potential share of hazards and challenges and so, ensuring safety of stakeholders is important. The onus lies on the company and every individual. They must put in place safety practices and that must be adhered to, at all costs.
When a safe work environment is created, it goes without saying that the accidents and injuries are minimised. An important aspect of this is to make sure employees are trained to identify and report potential hazards. A safe work place is everyone’s responsibility. Each one should follow safety guidelines diligently and promote a safety culture.
The very first step in promoting a safe workplace is to identify potential hazards. A comprehensive risk assessment must be done. All the tasks involved in crushing operations must be listed out along with potential risks for each. Each equipment must be assessed for risks to implement preventive measures and develop effective security methodologies. Crushing equipment has moving parts and this means proper guarding of machinery and equipment. This is extremely important to protect workers from entrapment hazards.
Undoubtedly, proper maintenance of machines can reduce the risk of accidents. A proper lockout or tagout procedure must be established and followed. Machines must be isolated during maintenance or repair work.
Safety is not possible without proper training of all stakeholders. Everyone involved in crushing operations must be trained in equipment use, safety procedures and hazard identification. Not just that, they must be aware of emergency protocols. The importance of personal protective equipment must be made aware and all must use it to protect themselves.
Monitoring plays a key here again as checks must be conducted to make sure all employees follow safety procedures and that potential safety issues are addressed promptly.
Aggregates industry is such that dust is a part of the daily activity. This can put employees at risk of respiratory problems. Dust extraction systems, ventilation and use of water jets can effectively control dust. Workers can also be provided with respiratory protective equipment, if need be. Sometimes, employees may need to work at elevated areas, so appropriate fall protection equipment such as harnesses, ropes and railings must be placed at right locations. People working at heights should also receive adequate training for safety.
Aggregate crushing operations must also have an emergency preparedness and response plan. This includes clear evacuation procedures, emergency assembly areas and proper training on emergency protocols. Not just that, adequate first aid supplies and trained personnel must be stationed for quick response.
While we are talking about safety, it is also important to address pollution concerns arising in stone quarries for the safety of the environment and also, people. To address air pollution, drilling machines should have dust suppression, collection and disposal arrangement. Drilling zones should be made wet using water sprinklers. Efforts must be taken to reduce dust generation by taking approximate measures. Blast site must be wet before and after the blasting operations are completed. Only optimum quantity of permissible explosives shall be used so that vibrations do not damage the structures/houses if the quarrying operations are close to human habitation. Blasting should be done only during favourable weather conditions and only during the day time and permissible hours.
The blasting operations shall be given publicity in the local area through media so that people become aware of the blasting activities being undertaken. The vibrations shall be monitored periodically in consultation with the local mining authorities. The storage of the explosives and its transfer to and from the quarry area shall be strictly in accordance with the conditions listed in the permission granted by explosives department.
While using Heavy Earth moving Machinery, the operator/ transporter shall carry out regular maintenance of the machines and the speed shall be adhered to. A comfortable operator’s cabin is important and it is good news that government has made it mandatory to have air conditioners in the operator’s cabin.
The smoke emission from the machines should conform to the standards notified in the Motor Vehicle Act. The trucks carrying the mined products shall be covered with tarpaulin so that there are no fugitive emissions during transportation. It is best to avoid busy roads. The engine exhaust of heavy earth moving machinery must be fitted with mufflers and cabins should be made noise proof. Operators should also be provided with ear mufflers and ear plugs. Imposition of speed restriction of HEMM near residential area shall be enforced.
All the haul and service roads shall be mettled and well maintained. Haul roads shall be free from ruts and pot holes. All haul roads and surface roads shall be regularly sprayed with water. It is great to have avenue plantation alongside haul roads. It is best to have mined material receiving pits close to the quarry to reduce the haul length of the dumper. Non-operative dumps shall be subjected to technical and biological reclamation. it is also important to wet the overburden dump regularly.
For the safety of water, the overburden run offs should be desilted through settling tanks before discharge in to natural streams, lakes or any other water body. Effluent coming out of workshop shall be treated in a plant containing oil or grease trap and sedimentation tank. The treated water shall be stored and reused in the workshop itself as far as possible.
