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Mine Safety and Health Administration
Protecting Miners' Safety and Health Since 1978
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Continuous Mining Machine Operator
Start of Shift Workplace examination Pre-op inspection Service continuous miner Dust Parameters Examination End of Shift Emergency/Abnormal Procedures Shut down Maintenance Turning Crosscut Place Change Taking a Cut Tramming
1. Start of Shift
Obtain PPE
Gloves - metacarpal
Safety glasses
Hearing Protection
SCSR
Check appearance/damage
Check indicators
Check seal
Knee pads
Safety boots
Hard hat w/reflective material
Check-in Check-out tag
Safety belt w/ID tag
Leg bands
Reflective clothing
Ensure outer clothing has reflective material (coats/jackets)
Cap lamp w/remote hook-up
Ensure cap lamp is functional and permissible
Check fluid level when fully charged
Rain suits
Obtain tools/equipment/supplies
Bit hammer (specially designed hammer)
Methane detector/spotter
Conduct visual exam
Conduct electrical zero
Check battery
11/16" spray wrench
"Do not operate" tag
Spray paint
Cut cycle book
Pen/pencil
Watch
15/16" wrench
Five grease fittings
Channel locks
Tape measure
Attend white board meeting (Cut cycle)
Roof conditions
Equipment placement
Section conditions
Section layout
Ventilation
Unbolted areas
Abnormal conditions
Prior shift report
Report of supplies needed
Mining projections
Attend and participate in weekly safety meeting
Sign off
Check maintenance board
Update as repairs are made
Check in
Enter mine on mantrip
Keep body inside compartment
Keep nascar netting closed
2. Workplace examination
Walk to section
Check for slip/trip hazards
Conduct visual of roof/rib conditions
Check mine bottom (wet/muddy conditions)
Check general housekeeping
Check to see if water is turned on at pump
Check pump breaker
Check cat-head at power center
Check the cat-head/breaker identification
Check ground trip
Conduct methane test (if necessary) before energizing machine
Section exam
Walk and examine cable and water line
Move off roadway
Hang properly
Check for damaged splices
Check slack
Check water line for leaks, kinks, etc.
Examine workplace
Conduct visual exam of roof/rib
Correct or report any roof/rib defects
Check drilled test holes
Check location of last row of undisturbed bolts
Check for pizza pans
Operator's side only
Indicate on rib check was made (circle w/check using spray paint)
Check for methane at face
Notify foreman if methane is detected
Turn miner breaker on
If everything on the section is normal and in good condition, i.e. no gas, ventilation correct
3. Pre-op inspection
Conduct walk-around of continuous miner
Make sure no one is around mchine
Check for remote
Check lights
Check general appearance
Check for slate bar
Check for sledge hammer
Check for grease gun
Check for bits
Check for leaks (water/hydraulic)
Check for spare water sprays
Check water gages on miner
Check magnetic methane spotter holder
Check cable pull ropes/straps
Not to exceed 70' during place change
Check cable strain clamp
Check conveyor dust flap
Check water pressure
Check remote functions
Check emergency stops on miner (2)
Right-side
Left-side
Check fire suppression (weekly check)
Check remote shut-down device
Check circuit breaker trip (CBT) (weekly check)
Start pump motor
Check remote operation - face lighting
Activate water sprays
Clean and change if necessary
Tram miner forward/backward
Have everyone out of Red Zones
Communicate intention to other miners
Check hydraulic functions
Have everyone out of Red Zones
Communicate intention to other miners
Raise and lower head
Swing tail left and right
Raise and lower pan
Raise and lower stabjack
Start ripper head and conveyor chain
Have everyone out of Red Zones
Communicate intention to other miners
Check slack in conveyor chain
Visual check at tail
Look for slack
Check water sprays
Check methane monitor
Look for failure indications
Observe count-down cycle
Check scrubber
Clean filter
Wash ductwork out
Backflush de-mister
4. Service continuous miner
De-energize breaker on the miner
Obtain grease and grease gun
Wear metacarpal gloves
Grease the machine
Start at tail fittings and move forward ending at pan
Five to ten pumps for each grease fitting
Refer to lube diagram
Check hydraulic fluid indicator (prior to de-energizing)
Fill everyday, watch for overflow
Check bits, inserts. lugs, pedestal