Mining Publication: Don't Slip Up!
Original creation date: March 2017
Slips, trips, and falls are prevalent in all types of mining operations. No specific guidelines or regulations are provided by the Mine Safety and Health Administration for the use of inclined grated metal walkways in mining plants. Mining companies may be using walkway materials that do not provide sufficient friction, contributing to slip and fall injuries. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a research study to determine the slip potential for three different types of grated metal walkways during walking in diverse conditions. The number of slips increased when the inclination angle reached 10° and above. Of all materials tested, the diamond weave grating was found to have the best performance at all inclines when contaminated or dry. A high number of slips occurred for the perforated grating and serrated bar grating at 20° when contaminated. Results of this study suggest that the diamond weave grating provides significantly better slip protection compared to serrated bar and perforated gratings, especially at inclines greater than 10°. This infographic presents recommendations for preventing slips and falls when working on inclined surfaces.
Download a PDF copy of the Don't Slip Up! infographic.
For further information on this research study, please read Slip Potential for Commonly Used Inclined Grated Metal Walkways.
Also, try ErgoMine to help identify hazards in your workplace. ErgoMine is a mobile ergonomics audit for mining that can be used to audit your mining facility. Read more about ErgoMine and download the app.
Authors: JP Pollard
See Also
- Age Awareness Training for Miners
- Contributing Factors to Slip, Trip, and Fall Fatalities at Surface Coal and Metal/Nonmetal Mines
- Ergonomic Interventions at Unimin
- Ergonomics: Beyond Compliance
- Investigation of a Slip/Fall Accident
- Musculoskeletal Stress on Miners Performing Roof Screening Operations
- Reducing Low Back Pain and Disability in Mining
- Slip Potential for Commonly Used Inclined Grated Metal Walkways
- Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazard Identification, Investigation, and Remediation at Surface Mining Facilities
- Using Ergonomics To Enhance Safe Production At a Surface Coal Mine - A Case Study With Powder Crews
- Visual Performance for Trip Hazard Detection When Using Incandescent and LED Miner Cap Lamps
- Page last reviewed: 9/5/2017
- Page last updated: 9/5/2017
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program