Michigan Mine Safety Training Internet Newsletter 96-3 

Highlights & Program Updates
World Class Safety - 2nd Article in Series 
Dust at Work: Preventing Silicosis 
Back Safety- Moving Odd-Shaped Items 
Accident & Injury Data for 1995 in Michigan and the Nation (PreliminaryData) 
Words of Wisdom
Oxyacetylene Safety 
Heat Emergencies
Tire Safety Rules
DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations 
Events of Interest - Holmes Safety Meeting at Wallace Stone in Bayport August 8 

Contact Us!
Michigan State Grants Mine Safety Training Staff Contacts 
Program Manager - Dave Carlson - 906/487-2453, Email - dcarlson@mtu.edu - Mining 
Engineering Dept.
Mary Ewert - Clerk - 906/487-2272 Michigan Technological University. 
Program Director & Dept. Chair - Francis Otuonye - 906/487-2610 Houghton, MI 49931 
Contact Dave Carlson at the phone number listed above for assistance with setting up a safety 
training workshop. Contact Mary Ewert for locating suitable videos and other training materials 
or handouts. Feel free to call us with your other safety-related questions. If we can't answer 
them, we will find out. We are continually expanding the information on our internet home 
page.
 
Program Updates 
A proposal was submitted to the Michigan Department of Labor to conduct next year's training 
program beginning October 1, 1996. The program would continue to emphasize low-cost part 
48 training of miners. We also intend to continue working with the Michigan Chapter of the 
Holmes Safety Association and MSHA to accomplish the training of Managers, Supervisors 
and Trainers. 
We are currently conducting a pilot project which involves development of a methodology for 
routine collection and application to training of mine-specific accident and citation information. 
If this project is successful, as determined by its acceptance by Program instructors, mine 
management and the miners, the methodology will be applied in the training of select mines 
during the coming year. 
 
World Class Safety - 2nd Article in Series by Tom Smith on the Application of Statistical 
Process Control to Safety in Small Mines 
"When the platoon is waist deep in the swamp and alligators are nipping at their butts, a good 
manager usually says 'press on', but a good leader says 'let's go around'." World class safety 
needs good leaders. 
Question - Tom, you advocate the use of control charts for safety management. Isn't this 
approach reactive in that accident prevention actions take place after the accidents happen?
Tom's reply - "Effective use of control charts requires an understanding of the thinking of 
statistical process control (SPC). Safety, like quality is an outcome of your management 
system. Understanding what a control chart represents will stop your managers and technical 
persons from looking in the wrong places for solutions to safety problems. The thinking of SPC 
helps managers understand that accidents/incidents are influenced 85% by common causes 
(by the system), and 15% special causes.
Control charts do not solve safety problems. They merely tell you if your numbers of 
accidents/incidents are stable and on target - data that are essential in isolating their real 
causes. The collection of data needed to prepare a suitable control chart is not a time-
consuming process. The difficult part is creating an organization that uses and supports the 
thinking of SPC for continual improvement of safety. 
Control charts should not exist in a vacuum or be used as a report card to be filed away. 
Managers, technical workers, and departments will have to cooperate to get the safety system 
to continually reduce accidents/incidents. Effective use of control charts is needed to guide and 
monitor continual improvement of safety." 
In our next newsletter, Tom will describe how to construct a control chart. Tom is conducting a 
Train-The-Trainer Workshop on how to use the tools and methods of continual improvement 
for safety management in Auburn Hills, MI on September 25-26, 1996. For information call him 
at 1/810-391-1818. 
 
Dust at Work: Preventing Silicosis 

What is Silicosis? 
Silicosis is a terminal lung disease caused by breathing air containing Respirable crystalline 
silica (RCS) (Respirable particles are fine enough to enter the lungs). The most common form 
of crystalline silica is quartz, which is a constituent of almost all mined materials and is the 
main constituent of common sand. Silicosis may either be Acute or Chronic. 
Acute Silicosis is caused by intense over-exposure to RCS over a 6 month to 2 year period. 
Sand blasting is one occupation that, without proper protection, can expose a worker to 
concentrations sufficient to cause acute silicosis. Symptoms include shortness of breath, 
cough, fever and weight loss. There is no specific treatment for this type of silicosis and the 
disease usually progresses rapidly until death by respiratory failure. 
Chronic Silicosis is caused by exposure to lower concentrations of RCS over a longer period of 
time. RCS causes scarring of the lung tissue which makes it increasingly difficult to breath. As 
with Acute Silicosis, there is no known cure. Death usually occurs from respiratory failure. In a 
study done by NIOSH in Michigan for the years 1989-90, victims of Chronic Silicosis shortened 
their life expectancy by an average of 13.2 years. 
Who is at Risk? 
Mining, Quarrying, and Ore Loading & Transport are usually high on the list for potential 
exposure to silica dust. All naturally occurring rocks and ore bodies contain some silica. 
What can be done to Reduce the Risk? 
1. Safer Machinery and Tools: 
Fully enclosing dusty processes. 
Using local exhaust ventilation or dust collection equipment to suck dust away from the 
operator. 
Using tools with dust extraction (vacuum) devices.
Using water to suppress dust (tool attachments, sprays at crushers, screens and transfer 
points, hosing down piles, wetting haul roads frequently). 
Operator enclosures which have an effective air filtration system.. 
Using abrasives other than sand for abrasive blasting.
2. Safe Work Procedures: 
Wetting down dusty work areas or processes prior to work.
Working upwind of dust sources where possible.
Posting warning Signs where necessary. 
Developing & Standardizing work procedures to address dust problems. 
Training all employees on appropriate work procedures.
Good housekeeping practices. 
3. Respiratory (Breathing) Protection: 
Fit testing of all employees required to wear respiratory devices. 
Training employees in the proper use of respiratory devices.
Making sure employees understand the hazards of dust and the importance of respirator use. 
Regular checking and cleaning of non-disposable respirators.
 
Back Safety - Moving Odd-Shaped Items. 
When lifting first consider the weight and your limitations, then check for nails, sharp edges 
and weak bottoms and if you can get a good grip. Get help for heavy or awkward loads. Proper 
lifting involves bending your knees and keeping your back straight. 
Heavy bags should be grasped on opposite corners. When you get the bag up to your waist, 
rest it on your hip, then swing it up on one shoulder if you plan to carry it more than a few feet.
For Flat Stock such as a full 4 x 8 sheet of plywood, use proper gloves or hand pads. Pick up 
carefully with the bottom edge resting on the fingers of one hand. The other hand should be on 
the top edge to hold and steady it. 
Roll barrels on the floor when possible or use a handcart designed for the job. Big cans with 
handles should be carried by two people whenever possible. 
Long pipes or boards should be carried on your shoulder. Keep the front end high to prevent 
hitting a person who doesn't see you. 
One of the best ways to minimize the chance of devastating back injuries is to keep back 
muscles in shape through proper exercise. Regular walking is one of the best exercises for the 
back. We should be begging our employers to move the parking lot a mile from our work-site.
 
Accident & Injury Data for 1995 in Michigan and the Nation (Preliminary Data) 
During 1995, Michigan's surface mines had 119 lost time non-fatal accidents and 76 accidents 
without lost time. Of the 119 lost time accidents, 48 were in sand and gravel, 46 in metal, 22 in 
stone and 3 in non-metal mines. Of the 76 reported accidents without lost time, 30 were in 
stone, 26 in sand and gravel, 17 in metal, and 3 in non-metal.
For U.S. non-coal mines regardless of type, the handling of materials always has the highest 
incidence rate, followed by slips and falls of a person, hand tools, and all other machinery 
(cranes,etc.). Other powered haulage (conveyors, pickups etc.), haulage trucks, front-end 
loaders, electrical, etc. usually follows.
Fatal incidence data suggest that training emphasis must continue to address safe operation of 
loaders and haulage trucks, using extreme caution when climbing on and off equipment and 
fall protection.
Total incidence data suggest training in correct methods of handling materials to avoid back 
and hand injuries, preventive measures including consideration of workplace ergonomics, 
common-sense lifting techniques, the need to get help with heavy or awkward-to-handle items, 
proper storage of heavy parts items to avoid back injury when lifting, mechanical lifting 
devices, etc. 
Training in the prevention of slips and falls should include safe procedures for climbing with 
tools and lunch buckets, suitable ladders and guard rails, and fall protection. 
The single 1995 fatality in using hand tools involved a miner dropping a hammer which hit 
another miner working below, causing him to fall to his death from an elevated position. 
Incorrect use of hand tools usually results in injuries to the fingers and hands. 
Reported health injuries nationwide for 1992-1994 presented at the March 5 and 6, 1996 State 
Grants Meeting in Beckley, WV show that in metal-non-metal mines, repeated trauma injuries 
(carpaltunnel, etc.) were the highest at 477. This was followed by 282 reported cases of 
hearing loss, 49 cases of silicosis, 24 Respirable conditions due to toxic agents and 17 cases 
of poisoning (metal, gases, solvents, sprays, other). 
The U.S Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Centers for Disease 
Control, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health published a 1994 report entitled 
"Silicosis Mortality" Table 4-5 of that report lists silicosis deaths during the 1979 to 1990 
period. Michigan ranked fifth for total deaths with 193. When expressed as the number per 1 
million population, Michigan ranked 16th. The most frequently recorded occupation on US 
death certificates for silicosis was mining machine operators with 13 % of the total. The most 
frequently recorded industries on the silicosis-related death certificates were construction with 
10.8 % and metal mining with 7.9 %. Miscellaneous non-metallic mineral and stone products 
mining ranked 4th at 6.1 %. Coal mining ranked 5th at 5.9 %. 
Silicosis-related deaths nation wide decreased from 1157 in 1968 to 308 in 1990. However, all 
mines have not addressed the root cause - excess dust in the workplace. During 1994, out of 
34,078 personal Respirable dust samples collected in 4760 U.S. metal/non-metal mines (44% 
of the total nationwide), 10.8 % exceeded MSHA's personal exposure limit. 
 
Words of Wisdom 
"Safety is an essential element of good business, and regardless of its motive (humanitarian or 
economic) the cost is much more easily sustained than the price paid for the lack of it."
"Everybody's responsibility is nobody's responsibility."
"Safe production is a continuous, never-ending commitment to improvement." 
"Safe production is never an accident, it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, 
intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives."
"If it's not safe, don't do it."
"Always include the word safe with the word production." 
"Train because you care about people."
"When a supervisor ignores safety violations, he implicitly OKs them." 
"To prevent accidents you must believe you can. Make zero accidents your goal."

 
Oxyacetylene Safety (10 Safety Rules rephrased from Video by Tel-A-Train, Inc., Chattanooga 
TN 37405,Phone 800/251-6018) 
Blow out cylinder valves to remove dirt and rust before attaching regulator. 
Completely remove any oil/grease. Attach regulator and release adjusting screw. Lubricants 
start fire in oxygen. 
Opening cylinder valve can cause an explosion making the adjusting screw a deadly missile. 
Stand aside. 
Open cylinder valve slowly. 
Never set acetylene pressure above 15 psi. 
Purge oxygen and acetylene individually. 
Light acetylene before opening oxygen. 
Never use oil on regulators, torches or fittings exposed to oxygen. 
Do not use oxygen as a substitute for air. 
Keep the work area clear of combustibles. 
(Charlie Mundt, CONCOA (800/225-0473),a presenter at the June 6 National Holmes Meeting 
in Columbus, Ohio has much additional useful information on oxyacetylene safety). 
 
Heat Emergencies 
Heat cramps, muscular pains and spasms (usually in the legs and abdomen) can usually be 
corrected by rest and fluids.
Heat exhaustion is characterized by fatigue, weakness or collapse. Signals include cool , 
moist, pale or flushed skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and exhaustion. 
Heat stroke often occurs when people ignore the signals of heat exhaustion. Signals include 
red, hot, dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.
Get the victim out of the heat. Loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths to the skin. Fan 
the victim. If the victim is conscious, give cool water to drink (about 1 glass per 15 minutes). 
Refusing water, vomiting, and changes in consciousness mean you need an ambulance 
immediately. If the victim vomits, stop giving fluids and position the victim on the side. Watch 
for signals of breathing problems. Keep the victim lying down and continue to cool the body 
any way you can (do not apply isopropyl alcohol). 
 
Tire Safety Rules (modified from the Holmes Safety Association Bulletin, May-June 1996) 
Use safety cage or other restraining device; 
Always stand away from cage and out of the trajectory of tire and rim assemblies; 
Stand back during tire inflation/deflation; 
Don't weld rims on wheel/tire assemblies; 
Don't deflate only one tire of dual assembly;
Don't pound on inflated tires or wheels; 
Don't cut or weld on assembled tires; 
Repairs to rims and lock rings should only be done by qualified people. 
 
DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations (from the June/July 1996 Issue of the Safety 
Bulletin, Safety Council for West Michigan) 
If your company employs anyone who must, in the course of his or her job, possess a CDL and 
perform "safety sensitive" functions, you are required to conduct drug and alcohol testing. 
"Safety sensitive" refers to anyone driving, ready to drive or immediately available to drive as 
well as any driver who is supervising the loading and unloading of a truck. Employers must test 
for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines: 
Before hiring an individual for a safety sensitive position.
Within 32 hours after an accident has occurred.
Randomly at a 50% frequency rate. 
Upon reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use.
Prior to an employee returning to duty after substance abuse treatment. 
As follow up to treatment based on the recommendation of a substance abuse professional. 
All tests must be performed by an approved laboratory.
Employers must use the services of a medical review officer, to review the test results. 
Penalties for non-compliance can be quite severe. Employers can be fined up to $10,000 for 
allowing a driver to perform a safety sensitive job after a positive test. Incorrect or missing 
records can cost an employer up to $500 for each violation. 
 
Events of Interest to Mine Operators 
The Holmes Safety Association Great Lakes District Council will hold an August 8, 1996 
meeting at the Wallace Stone Company in Bayport, which will begin at 9:30 A.M. The main 
event will be the afternoon tour of the Wallace Stone facility. Please call Ralph Bronson 
(517/656-2831) by July 31st if you plan to attend, so they can plan the lunch and tour. Charles 
Hough, a respirator expert from 3M will be the featured speaker at the morning meeting. The 
morning program will also include an MSHA presentation on mobile equipment, a Program 
Update by Dave Carlson of the Michigan Mine Safety Training Program and a session to plan 
future activities of the Great Lakes District Council including the program for the October 24th 
meeting at the Hidden Valley Resort in Gaylord and January MSHA/Industry workshops at two 
or three State locations. Lunch will be provided at the lodge. Please bring your hard hat, safety 
shoes, and appropriate clothing for the tour. The meeting and tour will conclude by 3:00 P.M.
National Mine Instructor Seminar - This 3-day conference will be held at the National Mine 
Safety Academy in Beckley, WV from Tuesday October 15 at 1:00 P.M. through Friday 
October 18 at 12 noon.