MSHA initiative takes aim at vehicle fire suppression systems
Posted October 31, 2018
Recent investigations into vehicle fires at mining sites – which found the fire suppression systems failed to activate – have prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to launch an initiative aimed at educating mine operators on vehicle fire hazards.
MSHA says training must ensure equipment operators and mechanics are able to maintain equipment, respond correctly to alarms, use fire suppression systems properly, and safely dismount equipment in an emergency.
The Agency encourages manufacturers of surface vehicles, as well as mine operators, to develop and install evacuation methods that allow miners to stay away from areas of the vehicle where fires have been known to start, such as the engine and battery compartment, and hydraulic hoses.
MSHA will post tools on its website to assist the mining community in evaluating fire suppression systems.
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