DOT and EPA Hazardous Material and Emergency Regulations That May Apply at Mine Sites
Every year reports are observed relating to personal injuries and health infections that occur due to exposure to hazardous materials. Most of these incidents take place in the construction industry. The mining industry, for example, exposes workers to a great number of risks.
The US Department of Labor is directly responsible for maintaining the integrity of best standards and provides mining companies with guidelines as a preventive measure against life threatening job risks. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) develops and enforces safety and health rules for mining sites. It actively works with industries and other agencies to ensure and improve safety and health conditions for miners working in the United States.
Hazardous chemicals are a common sight at a mine site. It is important that mining operations comply with the documented safety and health procedures to handle hazardous chemicals.
Employees are always at risk of being exposed to certain chemicals and combinations of chemicals which present great risk to personal safety and health. Worse, it can cause explosions, fire, or release of toxic vapors. Even empty chemical storage tanks may contain residual vapors.
Even more so, mining excavations are relying on alternative fuel sources. These include vehicle tires, oil filters, and mixtures of liquid or solid hazardous waste. For such facilities that burn hazardous wastes for supplemental fuel, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked to protect the environment by enforcing regulations of burning of hazardous wastes. It also issues operating permits, specifies system designs and operating procedures.
Regulating the Work Environment
EPA requires mine sites install a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSD) in the work space. MSDs are written or printed material that provide information to identify materials and hazardous ingredients. It will educate the employees on leak and disposal procedures, protective measures for safe handling, effects of chemical reactions, as well as health and physical hazards. In case there are hazardous chemicals present at the mine, the absence of MSDs is considered a violation of HazCom; a MSHA standard that instructs employers to deploy information to employees about the hazards of chemicals. EPA may also consider it a violation for certain mines. MSHA requires a trained supervisor on site that oversees the handling of hazardous materials. The supervisor must conduct thorough review on information provided in MSDs, and must also ensure that chemical containers carry appropriate information on them. Mining operators will develop inventories about raw materials, additives, products, wastes, and such, and provide information on their use and final destination.MSHA requires a trained supervisor on site that oversees the handling of hazardous materials. The supervisor must conduct thorough review on information provided in MSDs, and must also ensure that chemical containers carry appropriate information on them. Click To Tweet
MSDs act as a source of information. They provide emergency procedures in case of spillage, the hazards of chemicals, and educate on the use of appropriate personal protective equipment. Toxic materials can poison or injure the organs or tissues of the body. MSHA recommends the following guidelines for use of toxic materials:- It should be secured in a locked area with minimal access
- It should be stored in minimal quantities
- It should be stored in cool areas with a constant level of humidity
- It should contain appropriate labels that warn of its toxic nature
- It should not be stored in places where workers gather
