| Description |
A review of MSHA records for 2002-2006 shows that the average fatality injury rate for small mines (employing fewer than 20 workers) was three times greater than the fatality injury rate for all US mines. High fatality rates interrupt the continuity of the mining process and also affect a company's financial situation negatively. In an attempt to obtain in-depth information, 17 small mines located in the western US have been inspected as part of this study. A quick review of this information showed that these mines are facing three common problems: 1) dependency on independent or outside contractors, 2) multitask assignments, and 3) inadequate training evaluation (identified through observations). Poor management commitment to safety and limited resources are the root causes for the recurrence of these problems. To overcome these problems, small mine operators urgently require a safe production model or a procedure to achieve their goals and improve their safety records. In this thesis, eight key safe production elements have been identified: 1) management commitment and leadership, 2) hiring process, 3) training and evaluation, 4) hazard identification and risk assessment, 5) accident investigation, 6) safety policies and procedures, 7) safety accountability, and 8) communication and participation. These elements have been used as tools to build a Safe Production Model for Small Mines. This model involves the following three major activities: developing human resources, adding |
