Version 1. Created December 9, 2013.
Mine Hoist Hazards
WSN Disclaimer
The information contained in this material is provided as a guide only. WSN recognizes that individual companies must develop health and safety policies and programs which apply to their workplaces and comply with appropriate legislation. This material does not constitute legal advice. While the information provided, including references to legislation and established practices, is current at the time of printing, it may become out-of-date or incomplete with the passage of time. No warranty, guarantee or representation is made by WSN as to the absolute correctness or sufficiency of any
information contained in this material and WSN assumes no responsibility in connection therewith; nor can it be
assumed that all acceptable safety measures are contained in this material, or that other or additional measures may
not be required in particular or exceptional circumstances.
Checklist background
There are requirements for employees to report occurrences of Hoisting incidents (Reg. 854 Sec. 21(5)(a)). A
review of these reports shows that failures to lock out or manage controls in the mechanical, electrical and
shaft areas of the hoist are responsible for many of these incidents.
The incidents over the past 10 years have been associated with causal factors such as, but not limited to:
Runs of material into shafts
Slings
Malfunctioning chute gates
Maintenance practices
Shaft rehabilitation
Emergency responses
Faulty detection devices
Shaft sinking
The following checklist has been prepared specifically for the identification and evaluation of Hoist energy
sources that may or may not be controlled directly by a lock and tag. Many hoist operation and maintenance
activities require the hoist motors, drums and conveyances to be able to move to complete specific tasks.
What hoist work do you perform without applying lock out? Has each of these activities been assessed and
procedures effectively communicated?
We suggest Mine Operators and Joint Health and Safety Committees consider this checklist as a starting point
for their review and refine the contents to meet site specific needs and circumstances.
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Checklist – Mine Hoist Lock-out
Date:________________________ Location: _____________________ Inspected by: ___________________
ITEM OK NEEDS
ATTENTION COMMENTS
Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations for Mines and Mining Plants (Reg. 854) Is there awareness and compliance with the following legislation as it applies to Mine Hoist
Operations and Maintenance, and Lock-out?
1. OHSA Sec. 1(1)(a)(b)(c) – Competent Person
Competent person is expressed through-out the regulations pertaining to Hoist use and maintenance.
2. OHSA Sec. 28 (1)(c)(d) – Duties of Worker
3. OHSA Sec. 53 – Notice of Unusual Occurrence, 2 Days
4. Regs. Sec. 14 – Fall protection
5. Regs. Sec. 16 – Working Alone, competent
6. Regs. Sec. 36 – Hot Work, written procedures
7. Regs. Sec. 46 (1)(2) - Access to Workplace
8. Regs. Sec. 55 - Protection of Worker Working Below
9. Regs. Sec. 62.1 – Non Routine Hazardous Tasks
10. Regs. Sec. 82 & 82.1 – Working Below Loading Pocket
11. Regs. Sec. 84– Movement of Bulk Material – Written Procedures
12. Regs. Sec. 185 (7)(8)(9)(10) – Machine Lock Out
13. Regs. Sec. 194 (2) (16) – Hot Work in Shaft, Competence
14. Regs. Sec. 205 – Commissioning Records, Safety Devices
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ITEM OK NEEDS
ATTENTION COMMENTS
15. Regs. Sec. 207 - Hoist Logbooks, Communication
16. Regs. Sec. 209 (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8) – Shaft High Water
17. Regs. Sec. 210 (2)(6) Shaft Obstructions, Skip Loading
18. Regs. Sec. 211 – Transporting Persons Safely
19. Regs. Sec. 230(5)(a)(b)– Working From the Top of a Shaft Conveyance
20. Regs. Sec. 233 – Voice Communication with Hoist operators
21. Regs. Sec. 235 – Signaling System
22. Regs. Sec. 236 – Signaling Procedures
23. Regs. Sec. 237 (6)(7) – Latching Shaft Service Doors
24. Regs. Sec. 239 (3) – Instructions to Hoist Operators
25. Regs. Sec. 241 – Hoisting Prohibitions, Leaving Conveyance
26. Regs Sec. 242 – Emergency Procedures
27. Regs. Sec. 244 – Transporting People Procedures
28. Regs. Sec. 246 – Defective Hoist Plant
29. Regs. Sec. 247 – Electrical Inspections
30. Regs. Sec. 248 – Mechanical Inspections
31. Regs. Sec. 249 – Shaft Inspections
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ITEM OK NEEDS
ATTENTION COMMENTS
32. Regs. Sec. 250 – Utility Hoist Inspection
Regulation 854 Sec. 11 – Training - Common Core and Specialty Modules: A) Hoist operations training
33. Has a training needs assessment been conducted for occupations involved with mine hoists?
34. Are cage and skip tenders adequately trained? Basic Common Core for Underground Hard Rock Miner, Program #770010 or Underground Soft Rock Program #770130?
35. Are cage and skip tenders competent? Specialty Modules, Perform Shaft Service, Program #770010 – Modules U0083, U0084, U0088 or Program #770130 – Modules U3147, U5540, U5541?
Has there been an appropriate assessment and of the following: B) Mine Hoist activities where energy control is required
36. Has a risk assessment been conducted to identify potential hazards and controls associated with hoist maintenance and operation?
37. Who completes the weekly inspection/test of the shaft bottom high water switch or probe?
38. Have the hazards been identified when mucking shaft bottom?
39. Do shaft workers understand the hazards when working in the shaft below a loading pocket?
40. Are tools and devices used for slinging material in the shaft regularly inspected?
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ITEM OK NEEDS
ATTENTION COMMENTS
41. Is there a record kept of inspections for loading pocket lock-out devices?
42. Will conveyance chairing devices fall clear in the shaft and not provide an obstruction when not in use?
43. Who is responsible for ensuring materials don’t build up on the roofs or in the attachments of conveyances?
44. Does the employer periodically audit the shaft inspection activity?
45. Are tools and devices secured or tethered when replacing shaft guides?
46. Could a hoist rope strike or fall on a person or thing during a rope replacement or a rope cut?
47. Could someone fall from an elevated position while preparing for or performing a non-destructive testing (NDT) of hoist ropes?
C) Hoist Motors and Drives
48. Are all electrical sources identified?
49. Can all electrical energy sources be safely locked out?
50. Are all rotating devices adequately guarded?
D) Hoist Drums, Sheaves and Conveyances
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ITEM OK NEEDS
ATTENTION COMMENTS
51. Is communication with the hoist operator needed on the sheave deck?
52. Is there access to the escape door in a cage?
53. How is the slack rope detector tested?
54. If there is a slack rope indication during operation is there a reporting structure that ensures the event is documented, the rope is inspected for potential damage and corrective action is taken?
55. Would a checklist be helpful to ensure all rope clamps are checked following any rope cuts or adjustments?
56. Are there activities that would require the unclutching of a drum and placing an out of balance conveyance below a loading pocket and possibly beyond the design capacity of cold brakes?
E) Chute Assemblies at Loading Pockets & Dumps
57. Has a risk assessment been conducted identifying potential hazards associated with chute assemblies at loading pockets?
58. Are the chute components, including transfer cars, part of a preventive maintenance program?
59. Are chute components inspected on a regular schedule?
60. Can chute gates be effectively locked and tagged?
61. Will chute gates close if there is an electrical or compressed air failure; Are they “fail-safe”?
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ITEM OK NEEDS
ATTENTION COMMENTS
62. Are there provisions for blocking gates if the chutes are not “fail-safe”?
63. Are all chutes at the loading pocket left empty when shaft inspection is taking place?
64. Are chute gates capable of holding wet muck?
65. Are control valves appropriately labeled/ identified?
66. Are chute gates appropriately labeled/ identified?
67. Are compressed air lines identified as per WHMIS requirements?
68. Are chute control valves appropriately located (ergonomic and safety considerations)?
69. Do chute control valves restrict access or egress to the operators work station?
70. Have safeguards been designed to protect the operator from a run of muck resulting from a malfunctioning chute gate?
71. Are in-line accumulators in place at air lines to prevent the accumulation of moisture that may result in the failure of a solenoid switch controlling compressed air?
72. Is the inspection of any hydraulic controls, hoses and other components part of a preventive maintenance program?
73. Does the loading pocket design take into consideration an unexpected inflow of material and the operator’s ability to remain safe?
74. Do the loading pocket operators understand the exit procedure in place for the loading pocket?
75. Is there a water management program in place to prevent hazards associated with water.
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ITEM OK NEEDS
ATTENTION COMMENTS
F) Mucking Shaft Bottom
76. Has a risk assessment been conducted identifying potential hazards associated with mucking shaft bottom?
77. Is there a company policy/procedure relating to mucking shaft bottom, including notification to all appropriate personnel i.e. hoist operator and maintenance crew?
78. Is the loading pocket inspected to ensure work can proceed safely with no conditions that could cause inadvertent flow of material?
79. Are control gates at the loading pocket locked and tagged during mucking activity?
80. Is work activity stopped at the loading pockets when mucking shaft bottom?
G) Shaft Inspection Procedure (from MOL Guideline - April 3, 1987)
81. Does the Shaft Inspection crew stop at all loading pockets before traveling below?
82. Does the shaft inspection crew lock and tag the control gate controls?
83. Does anyone check to see if there is a buildup of water in the ore pass?
84. Does anyone work at the loading pocket when shaft inspection is being done?
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ITEM OK NEEDS
ATTENTION COMMENTS
85. Who checks to make sure that the controls to pocket conveyors, chute gates, etc. are disabled before men ride in the skipping compartment?
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Legislated Health & Safety Inspections & Tests: Mine Hoisting Plants
S. 82 Shaft inspection in a shaft, gates are secured
- Each time before work begins
S. 82.1 Shaft work below loading pocket, inspect pocket
- Each time before work begins
S.205 Test mine hoisting plant for compliance with Reg. 854
- Before being put into service
S.225(5) Examination of a hoisting sheave
- Before being put into service - At a regular frequency recommended by a
competent person
S.228(1) Testing shaft rope for breaking strength
- Not more than 6 months after first use on a drum hoist
- At intervals of not more than 6 months
S.228(2.1) Prepare shaft rope piece for testing
- Six months or less
S.228(3) Certificate of shaft rope test kept available for inspection
- As required
S.228(4) Electromagnetic test of shaft rope by a competent person
- Within 6 months of first service; intervals not to exceed 4 months
S.228(5) Electromagnetic test of balance rope, guide and rubbing rope by a competent person
- Within 12 months of first service; intervals not to exceed 8 months
S.228(6) Entry of any electromagnetic test of a hoist rope into the Rope Record Book
- As completed
S.228(9) Tests showing loss greater than 7.5% of the breaking strength on Certificate of Test of shaft rope
- Within 14 days of test, person who signs
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record shall forward copy of Record of Test to owner, JHSC or H&S rep
S.229(3)(b) Wedge-type attachments for shaft rope to be certified
- At least once every 6 years
S.229(4) Two test trips of shaft conveyance or counterweight
- After attachments for shaft hoisting rope are first installed
- Whenever attachments are reinstalled after disassembly
S.230(2) Examination and inspection of shaft conveyances and counterweights
- At least once in every 5 years of use
S.232(6) Safety catches and mechanisms on a cage or skip subjected to tests (S.232(7)) and pass freefall test (S.232(8))
- Prior to the cage or skip first being used to transport persons
- Prior to the cage or skip first being used after repairs to correct distortion of the safety catches and mechanisms
S.232(7) Free fall tests performed under prescribed conditions
- Prior to first use of conveyance and immediately following any repairs
S.232(8) Conditions for passing free fall tests
- As specified
S.232(9) Report of free fall test made in Hoisting Machinery Record Book for the hoist
- As required
S.237(18) During shaft sinking, examine the part of the shaft which may be affected by a blast on the initial trip following blasting operations
- First trip following blasting operations
S.239(4) Supervisor in charge of a mine hoist to review and countersign entries in Hoist Operator's log
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book - Each working day for the preceding 24-
hour work period
S.240 (1)(a) Hoist operator to test working brakes and friction clutch
- At the start of each working shift
S.240 (1)(b) Hoist operator to test hoist overwind and under wind protective devices
- At least once in every 24 hours of use
S.240 (1)(c) Hoist operator to make return trip of shaft conveyance through the working part of a shaft
- If hoisting has been stopped for a period exceeding 2 hours and operator believes an event may have occurred to cause damage or obstructions
S.241(g) Shaft inspection or trial run after an object falls down the shaft
- As required
S.247(2) Examination of electrically-powered or electrically-controlled hoist components
- At least once each week when the hoist is being used
S.247(2.1) Examination of hoist components not examined during the week before the hoist is to be used
- As required
S.247(3),(4),(5) Records of examination made in Electrical Hoisting Equipment Record Book
- Weekly
S.247(6) Supervisor in charge of mine hoisting plant to review entries in Electrical Hoisting Equipment Record Book
- Within one week after each entry is made
S.248(2.0.1) If hoisting equipment not examined during the month before the hoist is to be used
- Examine immediately before hoist is used
S.248(1) Competent person(s) to examine mechanical
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parts of a hoist - As prescribed
S.248(2)(a)(i),(ii) Examination of mechanical parts of a hoisting plant immediately before use if not examined the previous day
- At least once each day that it is in use
S.248(3) Testing of safety catches and mechanisms of the cage or other shaft conveyance
- At least every 3 months
S.248(6) Visual examination of hoisting rope and tail rope of a friction hoist
- After every 18 months of service
S.248 (2)(c)(i),(ii),(iii) Examination of mining hoist plant being used for amount of wear, tear, corrosion, lubrication requirement, need to change wear patterns, number and location of broken wires, friction threads of a friction hoist
- At least every month if the hoist is being used
S.248 (2)(d)(i),(ii) Examine hoisting rope of drum hoist or friction hoist
- At least once every 6 months of service
S.248(2)(e)(i),(ii) Examine bolt locking devices, foundation bolts, all bolts critical to hoist safety, bails, suspensions gear, structure of shaft conveyance and counterweight
- At least once every 12 months
S.248(2.1)(1),(2),(3),(4),(5),(6),(7),(8) Hoist parts to be examined when in use
- At least once a week
S.248(2.2) Hoist parts not examined during the week before they are to be used
- Immediately before use
S.248(2.3) Examination of clutch and brake-clutch interlocks to include operational check
- Once a week when in use
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S.248(7),(7.1) Examination of the condition of mine hoist shafting, brake pins and linkages, structural parts, attachment pins and draw bars of a shaft conveyance and counterweight
- Before parts are first used then at regular intervals no greater than those recom-mended by the competent person performing the examination
S.248(12) Supervisor of mine hoisting plant to review and verify examinations, Machinery log book entries
- Within one week of entries being made
S.249(1)(b) A competent person shall examine the shaft guides, timbers, walls, and compartments used for hoisting
- At least once every month when it is being used
S.249(1)(c) A competent person shall examine the headframe, headframe foundation and back legs, sheave deck, dump, bin and bin supports
- At least once a year
S.249(1)(d) A competent person shall examine the shaft sump to ensure the tail guide and rubbing rope connections are clear of water and spillage
- As often as necessary often as necessary
S.249(1)(e) A competent person shall examine the water in the shaft sump to determine its pH
- At least once every year
S.249(1.1) If the mine shaft is not inspected the week before it is to be used
- Examine immediately before use
S.249(1.2) If the shaft guides, timbers, walls and compartments used for hoisting are not examined during the month before the hoist is to be used
- Examine immediately before use
S.249(2) Records of examinations, servicing, repairs to be
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entered into the Shaft Inspection Record Book - As required
S.249(3)(a),(b),(c) Supervisor in charge of the mine shaft and head frame to review Shaft Inspection Record Book and validate required examinations
- Within one week after each entry is made