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Shaft Worker
Contact:  Palmer.Melvin@dol.gov

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 1. 4. Blasting 
 Re-enter shaft 
 remove hoses from shaft 
 Remove water regulator 
 Re-couple the 1 1/4" hose to t...  
 Go back to the bottom 
 Bring explosive magazine down 
 Unload the magazine, loading p...  
 Send magazine back to the top 
 Make up powder 
 Lay out powder 
 Bring down stemming bucket 
 Send empty hook back up 
 Load the rib holes 
 Bring in bulk loader 
 Blow water out of the water li...  
 Attach line to bulk loader 
 Raise bulk loader to overhead ...  
 Bell out to have air turned on 
 load center holes 
 Lower bulk loader  
 Shut the air off 
 Send out bulk loader 
 Send out stemming bucket 
 Pull collar pipes 
 Remove 1 1/4" hose 
 Send out collar pipe and 1 1/4...  
 run detonation cord 
 clip on non-electric caps in g...  
 Get cap count 
 Lower shooting cable 
 Check shooting cable 
 lower sand and cover detonatio...  
 Lower blasting mats (when appl...  
 Send phone out  
 Bring electric cap in 
 Check electric cap 
 Wire cap to shooting cable 
 Attach electric cap to detonat...  
 Make methane test 
 Exit shaft 
 Check shooting cable 
 Connect shooting cable to shot...  
 Turn the fan off 
 Sound blast signals 
 Retreat to dry house 
 Shoot  
 Turn fan back on 
 Sound all clear signal  
 Ensure fire boss had completed...  
 2. 5. Mucking 
 enter shaft riding on scaffold...  
 clean brackets 
 hang hoses 
 scale rib (if necessary) 
 Exit shaft riding on scaffold 
 set hoe in hole 
 Re-enter shaft  
 hook air hose to hoe 
 level muck pile with hoe 
 set the hoe in level area 
 unhook hoe from hoist 
 dig/level place to set first b...  
 bell the bucket down 
 push bucket to area hoe operat...  
 remove hook from bucket 
 steady hook and bell the hook ...  
 flip the bail stop 
 flip the ears 
 lower bail 
 flip the ears back out 
 move out of the way of hoe 
 observe the bucket being loade...  
 observe hoe boom being swung o...  
 flip the ears in 
 push the bail up 
 flip the ears back out to latc...  
 flip bail stop back up 
 trim top of the bucket  
 bell another bucket down 
 push bucket to area hoe operat...  
 remove hook from empty bucket 
 Place hook on the loaded buck...  
 lift loaded bucket to steady m...  
 check bottom of loaded bucket ...  
 Muck down 3' 
 Turn hoe 
 Turn off air to hoe before ser...  
 Check oil 
 Grease hoe 
 Turn air back on to hoe 
 Scale ribs when needed 
 Repeat mucking procedures to b...  
 clean bottom 
 laying out 
 3. 6. Concrete Work 
 pan ribs 
 level up 
 install required pipes 
 set pads 
 Hanging steel 
 Tying steel 
 Setting forms 
 Setting forms w/scaffold 
 pouring concrete 
 prepare for next pour 
 pull forms 
 4. 7. End-of-Shift Activities 
 Return cap lamp 
 Return crew phone 
 Return PPE 
 hang up belt with tag 
 Proceed to dry house to change...  
 Check out at lamp house or dry...  
 Sign out at mailbox 
 5. 8. Non-Routine Activities, Eme...  
 prepare to pour concrete 
 Medical Emergencies 
 Weather conditions 
 Un-detonated explosives 
Shaft Worker
4. Blasting 5. Mucking 6. Concrete Work 7. End-of-Shift Activities 8. Non-Routine Activities, Emergency/Unusual Situations
1. 4. Blasting
Re-enter shaft
follow all safety precautions outlined in entering shaft
remove hoses from shaft
Remove water regulator
Re-couple the 1 1/4" hose to the service line where the water regulator was originally connected
Go back to the bottom
Bring explosive magazine down
Unload the magazine, loading poles and blow pipe
Except for electric cap
Send magazine back to the top
Make up powder Priority 3
Done under the supervision of licensed blaster only
Do not force caps into booster if obstruction is encountered
Lay out powder
Refer to drill pattern diagram
Bring down stemming bucket
Send empty hook back up
Load the rib holes
Place powder in hole with wooden tamping pole Priority 3
Tamping pole must be wooden or brass
drop in split powder
fill to top of hole with stemming (pea gravel)
Shock tube and collar pipe should be exposed
Bring in bulk loader
Blow water out of the water line
Attach line to bulk loader
Raise bulk loader to overhead position
Bell out to have air turned on
refer to bell signal card
load center holes
Lay out powder for each center hole Priority 2
Place non-el in 90 gram booster and place in all center holes Priority 3
Do not force caps into booster if obstruction is encountered
load center holes with bulk loader
Never let bucket touch bottom to protect from stray current
Stem the holes
Being done while other crew members are loading center holes
fill to top of hole with stemming (pea gravel) Priority 2
Shock tube and collar pipe should be exposed
Repeat until all center holes are loaded
Lower bulk loader
Shut the air off
Send out bulk loader
Send out stemming bucket
Pull collar pipes
If under water - collar pipes stay in place
Remove 1 1/4" hose
Send out collar pipe and 1 1/4" hose
run detonation cord Priority 2
clip on non-electric caps in groups of 10 Priority 2
Get cap count Priority 2
Ensure that all caps are hooked up/accounted for
Lower shooting cable
Check shooting cable Priority 2
Must wait at least 15 minutes before re-entering the shaft
conduct continuity test Priority 2
open and close circuit to check Priority 2
re-shunt Priority 2
lower sand and cover detonation cord Priority 2
enough sand to cover
Lower blasting mats (when applicable) to cover blast Priority 2
Send phone out Priority 3
Phone line needs to be pulled out of shaft before electric cap is brought down
Bring electric cap in
Never let bucket touch bottom to protect from stray current
Check electric cap Priority 2
conduct continuity test Priority 2
open and close circuit to check Priority 2
Wire cap to shooting cable Priority 2
Make sure wires are separated
Attach electric cap to detonation cord Priority 2
Place electric cap between the ends of the two detonation cords Priority 2
Tape detonation cord ends to cap Priority 2
Make methane test
Always made by a qualified person
Exit shaft
Ensure bell rope is pulled up
Check shooting cable Priority 2
Must wait at least 15 minutes before re-entering the shaft
conduct continuity test Priority 2
open and close circuit to check Priority 2
Connect shooting cable to shot box Priority 2
Turn the fan off Priority 2
Sound blast signals Priority 3
Refer to blast signals
Retreat to dry house
Shoot
Turn fan back on
Sound all clear signal
Ensure fire boss had completed run (minimum of 15 minutes) Priority 2
2. 5. Mucking
enter shaft riding on scaffold
Wait until fire boss run has been completed
clean brackets
hang hoses
scale rib (if necessary) Priority 2
Exit shaft riding on scaffold
set hoe in hole
Ensure pre-op had been done
Re-enter shaft
follow all safety precautions outlined in entering shaft
hook air hose to hoe
level muck pile with hoe
Wet muck pile down as needed while mucking
Exposure to this dust can cause long-term health hazards
set the hoe in level area
unhook hoe from hoist
Never put your hand inside the hook
dig/level place to set first bucket
bell the bucket down
bucket will stop at hang-up mark initially
push bucket to area hoe operator prepared
Weights should be facing you
remove hook from bucket
Never put your hand inside the hook
steady hook and bell the hook out
flip the bail stop Priority 2
flip the ears
lower bail
flip the ears back out
move out of the way of hoe Priority 2
Be aware of location of out-riggers
Stay behind the out-riggers (if possible) Priority 2
Staying behind the out-riggers will keep you out of the boom swinging radius - still have to stay clear of out-riggers
Never go behind/reach behind the hoe while it is in operation Priority 2
observe the bucket being loaded
rock loader loads bucket
observe hoe boom being swung out of the way
flip the ears in
push the bail up Priority 3
Keep area clean under weights
flip the ears back out to latch bail
flip bail stop back up
trim top of the bucket Priority 2
clean counter-weights Priority 2
clean rim Priority 2
bell another bucket down
push bucket to area hoe operator prepared
Weights should be facing you
Avoid pinch-points
remove hook from empty bucket
Never put your hand inside the hook
Watch your fingers when latch closes
Place hook on the loaded bucket Priority 2
Never put your hand inside the hook
Watch your fingers when latch closes
lift loaded bucket to steady mark while guiding bucket to natural center Priority 2
Bucket will naturally swing toward muck center
Avoid catching other bucket, starting ring or rib when lifting loaded bucket
Stay out of pinch-points between buckets, hoe, and muck pile while lifting bucket Priority 2
position yourself between center of bucket weights Priority 2
make sure bucket has stopped swinging before belling up Priority 2
check bottom of loaded bucket for rocks, mud, debris Priority 2
Clean as needed
Muck down 3'
Turn hoe Priority 2
Turn off air to hoe before servicing Priority 2
Check oil Priority 2
Address HazCom requirements
Grease hoe Priority 2
Turn air back on to hoe
Scale ribs when needed Priority 2
Repeat mucking procedures to bottom
clean bottom
bolt scrapper on the hoe bucket
scrape muck up on one side
use blow pipe to blow material on the bottom towards the sides of the hoe and check for misfires/old holes/gun holes Priority 2
maintain good footing
never blow towards another person
don't blow towards the equipment
turn hoe and repeat Priority 2
blow material into a pile and shovel into bucket
laying out
hang strings on two centers
measure from strings to find center
drill hole on center with bench hammer
insert wooden plug in hole
measure from strings and put nail on center of plug
measure from plug to rib
paint the line
shut air off of the hoe
hoist up hoe
take air line off of the hoe
finish laying out
paint 18" spacing
exit the shaft
Hoe is pulled after exiting shaft
3. 6. Concrete Work
pan ribs
load the scaffold outside with materials and tools
tin sections
panning boards
nail guns
male dowel rods
tin bars
string
paint
50' tape measure
lower scaffold with materials, tools, and crew
check to ensure water regulator is removed
stop at end of service line
blow water line out
hook air line to air regulator
reduce pressure to 80 psi
Too much air pressure could damage nail gun or screw gun
hook up 3/4 " line and nail gun
turn air on
use nail gun to nail panning boards to back side of existing tin Priority 2
Keep fingers out of the way
Keep nail gun square with tin (avoid ricocheting)
nail as many panning boards as you can reach comfortably
Position tin sections from scaffolding Priority 2
use nail gun to nail tin section to panning boards Priority 2
Keep fingers out of the way
Keep nail gun square with tin (avoid ricocheting)
screw male dowels into female rods after installing each section
reposition scaffold and repeat until top row is complete
drop bottom boot off of scaffold onto the bottom
use nail gun to nail panning boards to bottom of top row Priority 2
position tin sections from scaffolding Priority 2
use nail gun to nail tin section to panning boards Priority 2
repeat until bottom row is complete
hang strings and tape measure from centers
measure pad elevations
paint marks
exit shaft with scaffold
level up
send hoe in
re-enter shaft
follow all safety precautions outlined in entering shaft
hook up the hose on hoe
turn the air on
level the muck and push against the tin with the backhoe and tamp it with hoe bucket
turn air off
lift hoe to center
exit the shaft
pull hoe out
install required pipes
discharge lines
communication lines
water/drain lines
french drain lines
compressed air line
set pads
re-enter shaft
follow all safety precautions outlined in entering shaft
bell for pad bucket
unload bucket
get gravel bucket
spread gravel where pads are to be set
set first pad under tape measure Priority 2
level pad and beat into gravel Priority 2
place leveling transit on first pad
hang plumb bobs from strings
set remaining pads to same elevation under the plumb strings Priority 2
double-check pad elevations Priority 2
clean off surface of pads
call for starting ring
Set starting ring on pads and align and measure
place gravel behind starting ring and tamp down
install water stop
splice on return side - don't overlap
nail female dowel rods onto rebar centers
call for radius rebar
tie two rings of radius rebar behind dowels
exit shaft
Hanging steel
re-enter shaft with scaffold and straight steel, twisters and tie wire
follow all safety precautions outlined in entering shaft
tie steel to the male dowels under existing concrete
one person holds steel - another person ties
Exit the shaft
Tying steel
re-enter shaft with tie wire and twisters
follow all safety precautions outlined in entering shaft
tie vertical steel to female dowels on starting ring
finish tying radius bars
Setting forms
clean pads
set and align first form Priority 2
set and align rest of the forms Priority 2
install key plates
bolt forms together
exit the shaft
Setting forms w/scaffold
re-enter shaft with forms scaffold
follow all safety precautions outlined in entering shaft
set scaffold on forms
align forms to plumb bobs
jack forms (where needed)
Clean up scaffold Priority 2
hook up vibrator
call for concrete
pouring concrete
avoid contact with concrete; preferably wash off with Orange Go-Jo
pour two feet of concrete evenly behind form
vibrate concrete
repeat until form is full
tie more radius steel
set next ring of forms
move scaffold up
align and level forms Priority 2
repeat pouring concrete
place enclosure ring
place scaffold on enclosure ring
fill enclosure ring with concrete
place doors on enclosure ring
clean/shovel out
place in bucket and send out
exit the shaft
prepare for next pour
pull forms
re-enter shaft
follow all safety precautions outlined in entering shaft
unbolt forms
pull key plates
knock pins out
pry forms loose
enclosure form only
other forms have built-in jacks for loosening
Clean, steady and send forms out of shaft Priority 2
lower scaffold to next ring
repeat pulling form procedures to No. 1 ring
exit the shaft with forms scaffold
re-enter shaft
follow all safety precautions outlined in entering shaft
pull the No. 1 ring
exit the shaft
4. 7. End-of-Shift Activities
Return cap lamp
place on charge Priority 2
ensure charging light is on
Return crew phone
Return PPE
hang up belt with tag
Proceed to dry house to change cloths
Check out at lamp house or dry house
Sign out at mailbox
5. 8. Non-Routine Activities, Emergency/Unusual Situations
prepare to pour concrete
removing starting ring after level-up shot Priority 2
unbolt
position scaffold to catch starting ring Priority 2
pry down Priority 2
Avoid pinch points (finger injuries)
strap to scaffold Priority 2
Reposition scaffold and repeat process for each section
Send hoe in
re-enter shaft
follow all safety precautions outlined in entering shaft
muck to pad elevation
level the muck and dig ditch
exit shaft
Medical Emergencies
Call 911 Priority 2
varies by area, phone system may required prefix, i.e.. 9, 8, etc.
Review bell signal for emergencies (3 long bells) Priority 2
Location of first aid supplies
Office
Dry house/Lamp house
Eye wash station
EMT's
Weather conditions Priority 2
If lightening is imminent; remove all persons from shaft
Un-detonated explosives
If found on bottom
place in shaft magazine
send outside
return to explosive magazine
return to powder company
notify state inspector
If found in gun hole/old hole
wash out hole
place in shaft magazine
send outside
return to explosive magazine
return to powder company
notify state inspector