Maintenance is universally understood to be a crucial aspect on any mine, but how can companies ensure it is done efficiently and safely?
Making sure workers have the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and are up to date on their certifications are two of the most important safety aspects on a mine site.
But there is another, less discussed safety requirement that regularly saves lives: maintenance.
If done correctly, machine maintenance can lead to a longer life for the asset, as well as a longer life for those around it. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential in preventing equipment failures which can result in serious accidents and even fatalities.
Safe to Work takes a look at some of the key considerations miners should take into account when conducting maintenance.
Cleanliness
In a world of wear-and-tear problems, the simple notion of machine cleanliness can easily be overlooked. But ensuring machines are clear of dirt and grime is one of the most important upkeep activities.
The first step of many regular maintenance assessments is a visual inspection. This can be harder to achieve when a machine is dirty, meaning a potential hazard is more likely to be missed.
Dirty machines are also more likely to break down, halting production and creating a potential safety hazard.
“Cleaning plays a vital role in equipment upkeep, ensuring optimal performance and reducing the risk of malfunctions or accidents,” industrial cleaning company SCS Group said.
“Regular cleaning removes dirt, grease and debris that can compromise the functionality and safety of machinery. By prioritising equipment cleaning, mining companies can enhance worker safety.”
Good housekeeping around the machines can also prevent trips, slips and falls.
PPE
The right protective equipment is essential everywhere on a mine site, including when employees are conducting maintenance.
With machines regularly standing more than 10m tall, it is imperative that employees not only wear the correct PPE to work at heights but also know how to use it. The same goes for those working with electrical components.
Equipment maintenance can also lend itself to working in tight spaces, which makes appropriate hand protection is essential. The wrist and hand were the most common site of injury in 2023, making up 38 per cent of all work-related hospitalisation in Australia.
Hand impact and crush injuries, which occur when a worker’s hand is trapped between two objects, were by far the most common at 56 per cent.
The right work glove when undertaking maintenance activities must be comfortable, fit well, protect against task-specific hazards and provide good grip.
Scheduling maintenance
Regular maintenance is safe maintenance, so it’s important for mines to stay up to date on scheduled machine servicing.
Missing a regularly scheduled maintenance interval might not sound like a big deal at first, but it can have far-reaching ramifications. A crucial problem might be missed that leads to significant safety hazards down the track.
Scheduled maintenance also allows mines to reduce downtime, which can occur if a piece of equipment unexpectedly stops working.
“Consistent preventive maintenance helps to ensure the equipment is regularly inspected and serviced so that it operates at optimal performance,” McLanahan director of global sales – mining Lee Hillyer said.
“It helps identify and address potential problems before they lead to failure, minimising the risk of unplanned downtime and expensive repairs or replacements.
“A maintenance strategy should be determined based on the needs of each specific site, using the maintenance guidelines in the equipment manual as a baseline for the minimum requirements.”
Training
Many wouldn’t think twice about jumping on a ladder to change a light bulb at home, but even small maintenance tasks like these should be approached with caution on a mine site. It’s important that every employee who undertakes on-site maintenance work is appropriately trained and educated in the task.
According to workplace operations company SafetyCulture, experience is often the difference between a prolonged equipment outage and a short one.
“Maintenance training is an important part of any business, particularly in ensuring workplace safety and equipment efficiency and condition,” the company said.
“Before properly performing maintenance tasks, training is essential to make sure your employees are aware of the right safety procedures before, during and after work. Regular maintenance training also helps ensure that workers are updated on any possible changes in practices.”
It’s also important that mines hold refresher courses for those with maintenance certifications, as systems and equipment change over time.
Approaching maintenance on-site can seem daunting, but with the correct procedures in place, miners can ensure every employee gets home safely at the end of the day.
This feature also appears in the January-February issue of Safe to Work.