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Guidelines for Traffic Control at Surface Mines

Contents

Purpose Of Traffic Control Guidelines

All kinds of sizes of vehicles travel roads at surface operations. These vehicles are operated by drivers who have varying levels of experience traveling these mine haulage roads. This means that there is a need for good traffic control on these roads

Standards for Coal & Metal/Nonmetal Operations

The following applies to coal mines.

77.1600(b)

Traffic rules, signals, and warning signs shall be standardized at each mine and posted..

The following applies to metal/nonmetal mines.

56/57.9100(a)

Rules governing speed, right-of-way, direction of movement, and the use of headlights to assure appropriate visibility, shall be established and followed at each mine.

56/57.9100(b)

Signs or signals that warn of hazardous conditions shall be placed at appropriate locations at each mine.

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What Mine Operators need to know about Traffic Control

Planning and Signs
Planning for traffic control is an essential part of the overall planning of a mining operation. Whenever possible, traffic control planning should anticipate changing mining conditions and future needs. This is especially true at new mine sites and on new (or changed) haul routes. Signs are one of the most important elements in an effective traffic control plan.

The mine operator is responsible for developing, installing and maintaining signs on haul roads. Signs need to be posted wherever it's necessary to regulate, warn, direct, or inform traffic on haul roads and around installations.

Mine operators should take time to carefully identify locations or situations where signs might be needed. Mine operators also need to review haulage safety procedures followed at the mine to identify other potential locations for signs. Remember that overcrowding signs at one location can lead to confusion.

Signs can be permanent or portable to meet the changing conditions at the mine. Portable signs are used in areas where traffic and road conditions change frequently and are usually placed close to the ground for stability.

Design
Effective signs have certain common characteristics. They are: understandable, legible, and visible to equipment operators, especially at night, and in both good and bad weather.

Standardization
Where possible, sign format and design should follow standard public highway signs. Signs need to be similar in regards to size, shape, color, and lettering throughout the mine site.

Placement
Signs need to be positioned correctly with respect to the situation. Signs also need to be clearly visible and legible. When placing signs, take into account the time it takes a driver to react to the sign, and the mechanical characteristics (such as delay times and braking distances) of the vehicles used at the mine.

Visibility
Signs need to be visible to all equipment operators. Sign size, height, and lateral placement are important to ensure that signs are properly illuminated by vehicle headlights. Studies recommend a vertical height of 5 to 8 feet and a lateral offset of 6 to 12 feet in most situations. Consider using reflectorized signs where necessary, especially if the mine operates either at night or in poor weather conditions.

Maintenance
Maintain signs to ensure legibility and visibility. Clean signs as necessary to keep them visible. Evaluate signs as necessary to make sure they are correct for the conditions

Hazard
All persons who will operate a vehicle on mine property need to be aware of the traffic plan. For example, a contractor entering the property needs to know if traffic is to drive to the left. They also need to know about potential haulage hazards and haulage safety procedures followed at the mine.

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What Equipment Operators need to know about Traffic Control

Haulage Routes
Equipment operators sometimes develop a false sense of security by driving the same haul roads every day. This is dangerous because haul roads near active mining operations can change every day. Therefore, operators need to pay close attention to posted signs and to changes in the mines traffic pattern.

Traffic Patterns
Traffic patterns other than the usual right hand patterns used on highways are found at some mines. Equipment operators need to know the meaning of unfamiliar signs before traveling on mine property. They also need to be aware of the traffic pattern used at the mine and where changes in the pattern may occur.

Haulage Safety Procedures
To help prevent accidents, operators need to follow all haulage safety procedures in force at the mine.

Characteristics of the vehicle
This includes things such as visibility, blind spots and braking limitations.

Reporting Unsafe Conditions
Equipment operators are responsible for reporting any unsafe conditions to their supervisor. Examples of unsafe conditions include:

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Regulatory Signs

STOP SIGNS

Stop signs need to be located as close as possible to the point where a vehicle is supposed to stop. Use "STOP AHEAD" signs in cases of limited sight distances. Supplement stop signs with "4-Way" or "All Way" signs where multi-way stops are required. Examples of places where stop signs might be used include: intersections of secondary roads and main haul roads, intersections where sight distance is limited, intersections of haul roads and public roads, and places where accidents have occurred in the past.

  YIELD SIGNS

Yield signs need to be located as close as possible to the point where vehicles are supposed to yield. Place "Yield Ahead" signs in advance of the "Yield" signs where necessary. Yield signs assign the right-of-way where secondary roads intersect main haul roads, or where two haul roads intersect and stopping is not required.

  SPEED LIMIT SIGNS

Speed limits are based on factors such as road conditions, grades, surface, visibility, curves, potential hazards, and the mechanical capabilities of the haulage equipment used at the mine. Post speed limits at regular intervals to remind drivers of applicable speed limits. Also post speed limit signs near intersections where traffic may be entering onto the haul road from another road with a different speed limit.

  TURN PROHIBITION SIGNS

These signs are used to restrict certain types of turns at intersections. They are also used at intersections to keep traffic from turning onto a one way road and traveling in the wrong direction.

  LANE USE CONTROL SIGNS

These are used at intersections where drivers are required to turn, or to tell drivers how certain lanes are to be used.

  NO PASSING SIGNS

No passing signs are placed at the beginning of (and at intervals within) a restricted passing area. A "Pass With Care" sign indicates the end of the no passing zone.

  KEEP RIGHT/LEFT SIGNS

These signs are placed at the end of median dividers and channeling islands to indicate which side of the median or island should be used by traffic.

  DO NOT ENTER SIGNS

This sign is placed at the end of a one way road to keep traffic from entering the roadway and traveling in the wrong direction. "Wrong Way" signs supplement "Do Not Enter" signs.

  ONE WAY SIGNS

These signs are placed at appropriate corners of intersections facing traffic entering or crossing the one way road.

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Traffic Patterns

The use of left-hand, one way or switching traffic patterns is a situation unique to mine haul roads. A set of signs designed for this purpose is shown in the box below.

1. Advanced Warning
2. Beginning of Change
3. Change should be completed
4. Pattern reminder

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Warning Signs

Post warning signs where it's necessary to warn drivers about hazardous (or potentially hazardous) conditions.

  CURVE SIGNS

These signs help to warn drivers about potentially hazardous conditions which may not be obvious to them. Supplement the sign with a "Reduced Speed Limit" sign if the safe speed for negotiating the condition is less than the posted speed limit.

  STEEP GRADE WARNING SIGNS

These signs provide drivers with advanced warning of steep downgrades where they need to exercise special caution. Post the percent grade, length of grade, and any special gearing requirements to better prepare the driver to descend the grade safely.

  ESCAPE RAMP AND BERM SIGNS

Escape ramp and berm signs give drivers advance warning of their location in case of an emergency.

  INTERSECTION WARNING SIGNS

Intersection warning signs inform drivers in advance about obscured intersections or where crossing or turning traffic may not be immediately visible.

  NARROW ROADWAY SIGNS

These signs warn drivers in advance that the roadway ahead narrows to such an extent that two vehicles cannot pass each other safely.

  ROADWAY SURFACE CONDITION SIGNS

These signs let drivers know about sharp rises or drops in the roadway surface that could create hazardous conditions, or affect the safe handling of the vehicle.

  TRAFFIC PATTERN WARNING SIGNS

These signs remind the driver of the prevailing traffic pattern.

  ADVANCE WARNING SIGNS

Advance warning signs give drivers enough lead time to safely complete a maneuver. These signs are also used in cases of limited sight distance and in advance of a change in regulations.

  RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNS

Used to Identify railroad crossings.

  OTHER WARNING SIGNS

Other warning signs are used for special conditions such as blasting zones.

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Guidance Signs

Guidance signs provide information to drivers, and direct drivers and visitors to destinations such as offices, shops, scales, and other areas.

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Michigan's Regional MSHA Metal/Nonmetal District Office

MSHA Metal/Nonmetal District Office

North Central District

Federal Bldg., U.S. Courthouse

515 W. 1st Street, # 333

Duluth, MN 55802-1302

(218) 720-5448

Fax: (218) 720-5650

For Mine Safety Training in Michigan - Contact Dave Carlson at dcarlson@mtu.edu

  to MTU-MS Web Staff        This site last updated 01/31/08.      Back to