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MSHA's Accident Prevention Program Miner's Tip Blocking Raised Equipment |
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| Mine Type: All |
| Category: Maintenance, mobile equipment, and haulage/transportation |
Best Practices to follow when blocking raised equipment:
- Ensure that there is sufficient space around the equipment to enable work to be performed safely and out of travel ways.
- Prep the area under the equipment to ensure that the bottom layer of the blocks or jack stand will lie within a flat and level area. Use bearing plates to increase the contact area with the ground under the blocks or jack stand if the ground's ability to support the load is questionable.
- Never use a wooden block that is significantly lighter than the others being used.
- Never use blocks exhibiting rot, splits, twists or bows.
- Ensure adequate contact area with equipment components being supported to avoid crushing the blocks and to increase stability.
- Observe blocking and jack stands during loading and ensure they remain solid without any tilting or sliding.
- Ensure that wooden blocks stacked in a cribbing fashion have their middle portions supported by lower layers to prevent block bending.
- Always treat the system as unblocked until the blocks or jack stands are fully loaded and equipment stability has been verified.
- Remember that metal to metal contact may slide much easier than wood or other materials against metal. This is a strong reason to ensure everything remains level and evenly loaded. Also, remove any grease, etc. from the machine area that will contact the blocking.
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If you have a tip you would like to pass on, you can e-mail it to zzMSHA-MinersTips@dol.gov. If your tip is selected, you will receive credit in this space. |
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| Issued: | 01/29/2007 |
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| Tag # | AP2006-93525 |
