VISIBILITY ON LARGE MINING VEHICLES

Produced by the Mining Health and Safety Program, 
Occupational Health and Safety Branch, 
Ministry of Labour.
Disponible en fran¨ais.


HAZARD SUMMARY:

Recently a worker in an underground mine was killed when he accidentally 
drove an 8-yard LHD (load-haul-dump vehicle) over the edge of an open 
stone.  The operator's poor view of the area ahead of his machine was a 
factor in the accident.  On vehicles of this type the operator's view in 
various directions is restricted by the bucket, by headlight brackets and 
by remote control equipment boxes.

Large mining machines such as LHD's and trucks have also been involved in 
accidents in which pedestrians in underground mines were struck and killed 
or injured.  The operators restricted view of the roadway ahead was a 
factor in some of these accidents.

The drawings* on page 2 are from a survey using a machine similar to the 
one in the first-mentioned accident.  The Elevation shows what an operator 
in his usual position can and cannot see over the front end of an 8-yard-
long LHD.  The operator cannot see the road surface for 90 feet in front, 
and 5.5 foot pedestrians are not visible unless they are more than 19 feet 
in front of the operator.  Looking behind, the operator cannot see the 
nearest 30 feet of roadway or a 5.5 foot pedestrian who comes closer than 
16 feet.  The Plan shows the large area which the operator cannot see.

LOCATIONS AND SECTORS:

Underground mines.

SUGGESTED PRECAUTIONS.

Regulation 854, the Regulations for Mines and Mining Plants, states in 
section 105(6):

     "Where motor vehicles that restrict the view of the operator 
     because of size or design are used, procedures to control and 
     govern the movement of such vehicles, other vehicles and 
     pedestrians shall be established." 

The following items should be considered in developing procedures for such 
vehicles:

Workplace Lighting, Signs and Layout

-  Effective lighting should be used in areas near dumping locations or 
   where pedestrian and vehicle traffic is common.  There should not be too 
   much lighting in such areas: it should still be possible to see the 
   light from a cap lamp when it is projected onto the rock. 

-  Cautionary signs should be posted to restrict equipment travel and/or to 
   alert the vehicle operator to hazards.

-  Reflective markers, barricades, strobe lights, etc., should be used to 
   identify locations where people are working in a haulageway.

-  The design of haulageways must include safety bays or stations, where 
   required in section 112(b) of the Regulation for Mines and Mining Plants.

Vehicle Operators

-  Before moving their machines into areas they do not know, operators 
   should enter on foot to ensure the layout is safe.

Pedestrians

-  Pedestrians working or passing near large mining vehicles should make 
   themselves as visible as possible by wearing reflective material and by 
   placing their cap lamps on their hats. 

-  Pedestrians should communicate with the operator before they attempt to 
   pass by a vehicle operating in tight quarters.

REFERENCE:

An excellent reference on this subject is the report "Guidelines for 
Pedestrian Visibility Underground," available from the Ontario Natural 
Resources Safety Association in North Bay, Telephone (705) 474-7233 or fax 
(705) 472-5800


* The drawings are unavailable on this BBS.  Please contact the Mining 
  Health and Safety Program, Occupational Health and Safety Branch, 
  Ministry of Labour if you would like to view it.