All too often, it seems like common sense is not nearly common enough. This is particularly true when new regulations are promulgated that create increasingly impossible standards for businesses struggling under the weight of a sluggish economy. Surprisingly, this is not a commentary about such legislation.

Instead, H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, is a rare, pragmatic bill. Introduced by Reps. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), it protects aggregate producers, farmers, and other rural businesses from the uncertainty surrounding current and future regulation of rural dust.

“H.R. 1633 achieves two important goals: regulatory certainty in the short term and common sense for rural America in the long term. The bill maintains the current coarse particulate matter standard for one year — a position Lisa Jackson has embraced with her plans to propose maintaining the standard — and it offers regulatory relief to rural America by recognizing that states and local communities are better equipped to monitor and control farm dust,” House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said in a press release. “EPA would no longer be in the business of regulating rural dust, except in cases where it is not already being regulated and the benefits of EPA regulation outweigh the costs.”

While EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has said she is prepared to retain the current PM10 standard without revision, H.R. 1633 provides additional protection against further regulatory burden. And, it’s not surprising that many want that protection. More than 185 organizations have opposed changes in the dust regulations, and House Minority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) named a more stringent dust standard as one of the administration’s top 10 job-destroying regulations.

In late October, Pete Lien, president of Pete Lien and Sons, Inc., testified on behalf of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association and cautioned committee members about the costs needed to comply with further regulation. “Federal regulatory decision-makers must wield their authority with care, and should base regulatory decisions on published, peer-reviewed assessments of risk,” he said. “We are wary of rules that create more stringent or even unattainable standards without sufficient statistical, scientific, or analytical justification.”

I applaud the House for listening to Lien and advancing a bill that epitomizes what Upton called “government that works.” Now, let’s hope that the Senate has the common sense to pass it, and the President has the wisdom to sign it.

3 Things I Learned from this Issue

1. A certification creates an incentive for operators to use sustainable practices, page 25.

2. Hydraulic leaks aren’t as benign as many think, page 38.

3. To avoid citation, equipment must not only be maintained, but preserved from decline, page 46.

PRIDE and a clearly written equipment maintenance program will keep employees safe.

by Tina Grady-Barbaccia, News/Digital Editor

When it comes to safety with equipment maintenance, it’s all about PRIDE: Personal Responsibility in Delivering Excellence.

PRIDE says Jeff Lambert, safety chairman of Knife River Corp.’s North Central Region, is what drives his company’s safety program and what should drive the safety programs at every aggregates operation. In addition, the safety program must contain policies and procedures that address the hazards of the operation, such as equipment maintenance safety, Lambert says.

Lock out–tag out is a critical component in equipment maintenance safety. “Failure to follow lock out–tag out procedures can result in the serious injury or even death of a miner, it’s that critical,” Lambert says. (For “Lock Out–Tag Out” best practices, see page 34.) But the program must be more than just written rules. It must be understood, be consistent, and be administered by a competent person. Who qualifies as a competent person?

“It’s someone who is familiar with procedures, knows and understands the hazards associated with it, and has the authority to take action,” Lambert says. “If you can have the same people on a regular basis, this helps. It is critical that anyone new to the crew or unfamiliar with the procedures be properly trained before performing work.” However, even regular, competent employees that routinely inspect and perform maintenance can become complacent. A problem or issue may never have occurred, but there is always that chance, Lambert points out.

After analyzing fatality data for the 2000-2008 timeframe, MSHA identified 12 priority standards as leading causes of fatalities within the metal/non-metal sector. Standard §56.14105 (Procedures during repairs or maintenance) is one of those 12 priority standards.

To ensure that nothing is overlooked when it comes to safety with equipment maintenance, job hazard analysis (JHA) procedures need to be established. “Written procedures for all maintenance performed are the key to accomplishing it safely,” Lambert notes. “Everyone knows how to cut a belt, or do they? Do they know how to properly replace screens or shut down a 440-amp panel?”

A JHA for equipment maintenance addresses potential hazards and eliminates shortcuts. The shortcuts may seem benign, but could cause serious injury, Lambert says. “Mechanics say that they can lift a cutting blade by themselves,” he says. “To that I say, ‘Really?’ The blades weigh 200 to 250 pounds, so we have a JHA for it. It’s pretty simple, but they are recorded as procedures.”

How can the procedures be enforced? “Through PRIDE,” Lambert says. “Top management must be visibly committed to safety, and middle management must be actively involved. They need to be out in the field and not just assuming the procedures are followed. Additionally, supervisors must be performance focused, and frontline, hourly employees must be actively participating in these safety efforts.”

For example, backup alarms, horns, wipers, brakes, and seatbelts must be operable on mobile equipment. A fire extinguisher should be on each piece of equipment and be checked to ensure it is operational.

Lambert also cautions equipment maintenance inspectors against the dangers of momentum when working on equipment. Nearly three years ago in a crushing operation, a cone crusher became plugged up. When an employee attempted to rod out the jam and couldn’t break it loose, the employee laid down on the belt underneath the crusher, Lambert remembers. “[The employee] took about a 2-foot-long piece of rod and attempted to break the material loose from inside,” Lambert recalls. The employee hit it once and the material broke loose, burying him. His personal protective equipment, or PPE, which should always be worn during equipment maintenance, may have saved his life, Lambert says.

“When the material came down, over his hard hat, he put his head down so there was enough room to breathe,” Lambert remembers. The point is, he says, “is to be aware of this momentum when performing maintenance. He could have easily been killed — suffocated. Never put yourself at risk.”

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://www.gettag.mobi into your browser.

Silica exposure guidance document

The new 72-page guidance document, Controlling Silica Exposures in Construction, provides information on controlling silica exposure using various engineering control approaches and tools for several kinds of construction operations and equipment, as well as recommendations for work practices. The guide covers case studies and engineering control/worker recommendations on vehicle-mounted rock drilling rigs. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Tire care training

A new Tire Care Computer-Based Training Program helps operators of off-road heavy equipment understand how they can help extend tire life. The self-study or instructor-led program offers easily understood explanations of operating conditions that affect tire life, as well as graphics and visuals to support the narrated message. As each lesson is completed, “Check Your Knowledge” questions review the information presented. Vista Training, Inc.

Training videos online

Schenck Process updated its Web site to offer online support for its customers with training tools for proper equipment maintenance, installation techniques, and operational procedures. Two featured videos on the site include the proper installation of flexible couplings and connections, as well as installing and calibrating belt scales. The Web site can be found at www.schenckamericas.com. Schenck Process.

Earthmover tire training

Michelin’s earthmover tires service training program recently earned the endorsement of the Tire Industry Association (TIA). Michelin’s existing service course was modified to integrate the new TIA Earthmover Tire Service (ETS) Program. The three-day course includes 15 modules covering a range of subjects from service vehicle and crane operation to the servicing of one-, three-, and five-piece rims on simulated machine and loose applications. Technicians completing the course will be eligible to earn TIA’s ETS Certificate of Completion. Michelin North America.

Conveyor animation and videos

Van der Graaf Inc.’s new, free CD features animation of its patent-pending Cross Drive technology and showcases the inner workings of its units compared to conventional drives. Drum motor animation shows parts and assembly of units, including power connections, motor cover, and end-cap attachment. One video illustrates the 10-step assembly process, while another highlights drum motors in action in the aggregate industry. Van der Graaf Inc.