“Compliance comes with slogans and phrases,” Lambert says, “but a value is part of something you just do without thinking about it. It’s part of you.”

A Cheat Sheet to Safety with Proper Personal Protective Equipment

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) have put together best practices for safety and personal protective equipment (PPE). Here’s an at-a-glance look at the agencies’ tips:

1. Eye Protection

Safety glasses should be worn in all work areas at all times. They should always be kept on your face.

Use appropriate goggles or face shields when grinding, chipping, welding, cutting, etc.

Safety glasses should have side shields.

Safety glasses that are manufactured according to ANSI Z87 standards or other suitable eye protection should be worn.

Safety glasses that double as sunglasses can help reduce glare on sunny days.

2. Protective Footwear

Keep soles free from grease and oil.

Footwear should be ankle high or higher.

Wear rubber boots in extremely wet conditions.

3. Safety Lines

Safety harnesses must be worn and attached to safety lines wherever a fall hazard exists.

Safety lines and harnesses must be kept clean and in good repair.

Safety lines must be securely attached.

Safety harnesses have to be adjusted to the individual.

Know how to wear your harness properly.

4. Hearing Protection

Wear earplugs to protect against high levels of noise.

Disposable earplugs should only be used once.

The Small Mine Office developed a series of weekly ToolBox talks that can be used by small mine operators and others to hold safety and health discussions for employees at their mining operations. These ToolBox talks were developed in consultation with members of the mining community.  To get the free app, enter http://gettag.mobi into your browser.