Best Practices for Equipment and Vehicle Safety
- Inspect and winterize equipment. Check batteries, fuel lines, and brakes to ensure equipment is winter ready.
- Clear snow and ice. Keep windshields, mirrors, and lights free from snow and ice to improve visibility.
- Test heaters and defrost systems. Confirm proper functioning of equipment cab heating and defrosting systems for visibility and comfort.
- Drive cautiously. Reduce speeds in icy or snowy conditions, maintain safe distances, and be vigilant
of black ice on roads.
Best Practices for Miner Preparedness
- Clear walkways, ramps, and work areas regularly to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Apply salt and sand where needed.
- Use caution when accessing elevated work areas in icy or wet conditions. Always maintain three points of contact when climbing ladders and equipment.
- Wear proper PPE for cold weather. Use insulated gloves, boots, and layered clothing to protect against frostbite and hypothermia.
- Monitor for cold stress. Train miners to recognize symptoms of hypothermia, frostbite, and cold stress.
Provide warm shelter. Create designated locations to allow miners to warm up during breaks and prevent cold weather-related injuries.