Wheel Chocks – Protecting Mine Workers – It’s the Little Things That Matter

Wheel chock safety is established by more than just OSHA, the main federal agency of the US government charged with enforcing safety administration. MSHA, the Mine Safety and Health Administration of the US Department of Labor, also has rules to help prevent accidents and fatalities on the job, specifically in surface and underground mines. Mining refers to both aboveground and underground operations, as well as coal mines and metal and non-metal mines. The first mining regulations took place in 1891, when children under the age of 12 were prohibited from working in the mines. The US government has certainly gone much deeper into mining standards in recent history to incorporate wheel chock safety, as well as many other rules and regulations.

In 2010, MSHA introduced “Rules to Live By,” an outreach and compliance program designed to strengthen efforts to prevent mining fatalities. 2009 marked the lowest death toll in mining history, yet in 2010, with a mine explosion that killed 29 at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia, the death toll nearly doubled. The Rules for Living highlights the health and safety standards that are most often set after a fatality investigation. Focused application was another goal to be achieved.

The Rules were derived from an analysis of the most common violations leading to fatalities, as well as the most common violations of safety standards and the underlying causes associated with these deaths. Eleven coal and 13 metal/non-metal health standards were identified and grouped into nine categories. Included in a related category of wheel chock safety is blocking against movement, with another related category being struck by moving equipment, both of which require wheel chocks for the safety of people.

For metal/non-metal mining, 30 CFR § 56.14207, titled “Parking Procedures for Unattended Equipment,” states: “Mobile equipment must not be left unattended unless the controls are placed in the park position and the parking brake is in the parking position.” hand, if provided, When parking on a slope, the wheels or tracks of mobile equipment should be bumped or turned into a bank.” A similar but more extensive rule exists for coal mining. Other standards include reference to seat belts, proper use of equipment, power, warning signs, and safety lines.

Seeing wheel chocks mentioned in an MSHA document meant to protect mine workers is a huge responsibility, and it only emphasizes that sometimes it’s the little things that matter.