Being struck by materials or being caught in pinch points causes fractures, bruises, and crushing injuries.

In addition, persons responsible for material handling are subject to several types of injuries and hazards.

• Of course back injuries can result from lifting incorrectly.
• Many injuries occur when using maximum force or jerking in an attempt to free stuck or frozen objects and parts. It’s important to recognize this hazard and use less forceful means to free the items (penetrating oil with tapping, heaters for ice, long handled tools properly secured, etc.).
• Moving heavy, and sometimes awkward, loads can result in dropped material, injuring other body parts.
• Suspended loads are sometimes cut loose, released, or dropped on workers.
• Uneven, cluttered, and slippery walking and working surfaces can contribute to slips, trips, and falls.
• Many injuries occur when manually handling materials while loading or unloading pick-up and delivery trucks.
• The size and design of surface mining machines often restrict operators’ vision and makes it impossible to see vehicles and persons close to them.
• Delivery persons and vehicles are also subject to falls of rock or ore from highwalls or banks.


For these reasons, the persons responsible for the handling and delivery of supplies should be trained in all procedures for traffic control, signaling of machine operators, and general hazard awareness.