Occupational Health & Safety Precautions Being Insured in Mining Explorations
1. 42
Spring 2017
Occupational Health & Safety
Precautions Being Insured in
Mining Explorations
Mining consists of many different phas-
es ranging from exploration to pro-
duction. These phases have different
security risks if they are evaluated one
by one. Upgrading the OHS culture and
minimizing the probable risk can be
achieved through a precise work.
An exploration team at the beginning
of the road is the basis of the min-
ing operations and they run through
large facilities with small clues. The
predictions and evaluations of geolo-
gists can minimize the probable risks
and troubles through the team work
during their surveys in nature. OHS
training and professional proficiency
became more important nowadays
and carry the occupational health and
safety culture to the upper levels in our
country where this culture has been
advancing slowly in previous decades.
In this context, planned trainings help
to determine the precautions against
the occupational accident and to avoid
risky situations that employees may en-
counter.
Generally, the occupational safety
works in geologic surveys can be clas-
sified in two categories as prospecting
and drilling operations. This classifica-
tion can be further elaborated accord-
ing to the projects.
Exploration and Prospection
Phases
The team in the exploration project
should also be trained about the diffi-
cult conditions in the field in addition
to the professional information.
First of all, the training must contain
first aid training. First aid training can
be received from official institutions
such as Kızılay (Red Crescent) as well as
through private companies accredited
by government agencies.
Secondly, it is necessary to have de-
tailed information about the vehicles
that are used in the field. In general the
four wheel drive (4WD) vehicles such
as a pick up are used for challenging
conditions in the field. The authority of
the company that rent or sell the 4WD
vehicle should give a detailed informa-
tion. If this is not possible, the informa-
tion can also be obtained from special
service companies.
After having detailed information of
the vehicle, it is necessary to take train-
ings about the difficult field conditions
that will be encountered with these
vehicles. The training is called Off-Road
Training. This training can also be given
by accredited organizations. The cer-
tificate obtained after the training will
have international validity.
After the field transport training is over,
field works related trainings should start.
Employee must be trained about the us-
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CONTACTS
Serdar Onur Avcı
Serdaroa@demirexport.com
Gökhan Kanaat
gokhank@demirexport.com
2. Spring 2017
43
age of Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) and the works to be done in the
field. Firtst the employee must check
whether the PPE is fully loaded. Reflec-
tive safety vests providing visibility in
boots to prevent slipping and buckling
while walking and safety glasses to pro-
tect against splashing particles while
taking rock-soil-stream samples are ab-
solutely very necessary equipments.
Moreover, one should also have de-
tailed knowledge about the old work-
ings in the area. It is important to have
detailed information about the places
where the old production cavities and
galleries are located. In case of working
in an old gallery, measurements must
be made with gas measuring devices
and the stability of the fortifications
must be controlled by the specialist
The Phase of Exploration Drilling.
There are many risks for each phase of
drilling operations and transportations.
To begin with, the occupational secu-
rity specialist appointed by the compa-
nies should make a preliminary study
about the project site and prepare the
risk analysis.
Similarly, the first training that should
be given in the drilling phase is also
first aid training. Then, safety measure-
ments must be taken on the study area
after the first aid training is given to
the employee. Among these measure-
ments, warning plates must be placed
at the appropriate places where the
border of the working area is deter-
mined and the warning tape strips are
pulled out, and the entrance of unau-
thorized personnel to the study area
should be prevented.
Detailed information about the ma-
chines and equipment to be used by
the personnel in the study area must
also be given. Ensure that Personal Pro-
tective Equipment to be given is used
and monitored (helmet, steel-nosed
boots, goggles, headset, etc.).
Another issue that needs to be taken
care of is environmental cleanness. Do-
mestic and industrial wastes must be
kept separately. Environmental clean-
ness reduce the risks such as falls and
injuries resulting of slippery grounds
that may occur with domestic and in-
dustrial wastes like oil anddiesel.
Another benefit of environmental clean-
up is to get rid of fire risk. If the study
area is a place like a forest, materials that
may cause fire must be under control.
A sufficient number of personnel
should be kept during the drilling oper-
ations and a shift plan should be estab-
lished in accordance with the working
hours stated in the law. It should also
be ensured that adequate training is
given to the use, and transportation of
the drilling machines and consumable
material.
In case of working in shift, teams must
inform each other. In addition, the work
teams can arrange weekly occupational
safety meetings to determine probable
risk and take necessary precautions.
Do not forget that Every Accident Can
Be Avoided!
