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Mine Type:  All Underground Category:  Mobile Equipment, Section Face Equipment, and Training
Mine Safety and Health Administration
MSHA's Accident Prevention Program
Safety Ideas


X Marks the Spot
Where New Technology
Can Save Lives With Proximity Detection


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Safety and Health are Values!


MSHA strongly recommends that mine operators take advantage of the new technology of proximity detection. This technology provides an additional level of safety to miners exposed to the hazard of working in proximity to remote control continuous mining machines.



MSHA partnered with manufacturers and mine operators to develop a proximity detection system. Each system has a warning and shutdown zone to assist mine operators in training miners to remain outside of the Red Zone of an energized remote control continuous mining machine.

(Note: The detection zones and features may vary between proximity detection system manufacturers.)



Since 1984, 29 miners have been fatally injured working near remote control continuous mining machines. However, 12 of the fatalities have occurred since 2000 and many more miners have been injured while working in proximity to remote control continuous mining machines. The trend for this type of fatality has increased (see chart below).



Currently, there are two MSHA-approved proximity detection systems available. The contact information for these systems is:
    Jason Hart, Nautilus International Control & Engineering, Ltd, 6866 Russell Ave., Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 4R9, (604) 430-8316, e-mail: jason.hart@nautilus-intl.com.

    Dwayne Towery, Gamma Services International, Inc., 948 Nall St. P.O. Box 306, Clay, KY, (270) 664-9700, e-mail: dwayne@gsimining.com.


Issued: 03/28/2007
Tag # AP2007 -2063



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