PPE is often considered to be the last line of defense for workers in harmful environments. Protective safety gear can be the only thing that prevents a fatal consequence for a mining site. Mine workers have the right to request personal protective equipment at no cost to them and employers are required to provide personal protective equipment that fits well and is maintained to employees working in hazardous environments. Here are some of the most common types of safety equipment used by miners daily:

Hearing Protection

Mining environments are confined and very noisy. The tools and vehicles in a mining site can result in hearing loss that is irreversible if miners do not use hearing protection.

Reflective Clothing

Mining sites are dark and noisy places so introducing reflective pants or jackets can help with locating miners and preventing collisions and incidents in mining sites. 

Hard Hats

hard hats can protect workers from falling rocks, water and in some cases can come with full face helmets including ventilation. Lights are often mounted on the hard hat to improve the vision of workers. 

Respiratory Protection

masks and respirators are important in mining like coal mining because the environment is so dangerous. Proper care and respiratory protection needs to take place and the nose and mouth need to be covered with protection that includes replaceable filters. 

Safety Glasses

safety glasses can protect miners from dirt and dust as well as the potential for chemicals and other items that could get in their eyes. Dirt and dust are constant in these environments and bringing in safety glasses is crucial to keeping your vision.

Hand and Foot Protection

Steel-toed boots and durable gloves are often required in mining environments to prevent accidents. 

Fall Protection Equipment

Lines and fall protection equipment such as body supports and anchors can save lives near falling hazards.

This post was written by Justin Tidd, Director at Becker Mining Communications! For over 15 years, Becker Communications has been the industry’s leader in Gas Monitoring Devices and electrical mining communication systems. As they expanded into surface mining, railroads, and tunneling they added wireless communication systems, handheld radios, tagging and tracking systems, as well as gas monitoring.