Monica Jackson
The Labor Department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration has requested information on systems that could help gradually prevent mishaps involving mobile surface and underground mining equipment.
The DOL said Monday its request for information is part of an effort to provide safer working conditions for miners in the U.S., as well as to gradually reduce incidents involving belt conveyors and powered haulage equipment such as haul trucks, front-end loaders and other large vehicles.
“Through the deployment of modern technologies, such as proximity detection, we can help ensure that miners return home safely at the end of their shifts,†said David Zatezalo, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety.
He added that MSHA is also considering other safety precautions to reduce mining incidents such as increasing the use of seat belts, as well as enhancing the ability of equipment operators to completely oversee machines and provide alerts of possible collision hazards.
