Transcript Guidelines for Traffic Control at Surface Mines

Guidelines for Traffic Control at
Surface Mines
Purpose of Traffic Control
• All kinds and sizes of vehicles
travel roads at surface mine
operations. These vehicles are
operated by drivers who travel
haulage roads on a daily or
frequent basis. MSHA has
determined that there is
sufficient cause for developing
and maintaining traffic control
patterns in surface mining.
MSHA Standards
• 56/57.9100(a) Rules governing speed, right-ofway, direction of movement and 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.
Planning
• Planning for traffic control is an essential part of
the overall planning of a mining operation.
Whenever possible, management should anticipate
changing conditions and incorporate new design
or locations of warning signs. Mine operators also
need to review haulage safety procedures to
identity locations that may need to be changed to
meet new hazards.
Signs
• Signs need to be posted wherever it’s necessary to
regulate, warn, direct, or inform traffic on haul
roads or around surface installations. Signs can be
permanent or portable to meet the changing
conditions at the mine. Remember, overcrowding
of signs at one location may cause confusion and
lead to accidents.
Design and Standardization
• Effective signs have certain common
characteristics. They are: understandable, legible,
and visible to equipment operators, especially at
night and in good and bad weather conditions.
• Sign format and design should follow standard
public highway signs. Signs need to be similar in
regard to size, shape, color, and lettering
throughout the mine site.
Placement and Visibility
• Signs need to be positioned with respect to each
situation. Management must take into account, the
time it takes for a driver to see and read a sign and
the mechanical braking and stopping distances of
vehicles in operation at each site.
• Signs must be visible at all times. Size, height and
lateral placement are important factors in
determining whether signs will be illuminated by
headlights.
Reporting Unsafe Conditions
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Equipment operators should report:
Poorly placed signs that are too close to hazard
Confusing signs that are hard to understand
Overcrowded signs that are posted too close
together.
• Signs that are out of date or posted for a condition
that no longer exists
• Inaccurate signs regarding berms or slope.
Stop Signs
• Stop signs should be
located as close to the
point at which the
vehicle must stop.Use
“stop ahead’ signs to
warn drivers where
there is limited sight
distances. All way stop
or 4-Way stop signs
should be placed at
intersections that require
all vehicles to stop.
Yield Signs
• Yield signs need to
located as close as
possible to the point
where vehicles are
supposed to yield. Yield
signs assign right-of-way
where secondary roads
intersect main roads or
where two roads intersect
and stopping is not
required.
YIELD
Speed Limit Signs
• Speed signs are based
upon factors such as
road conditions, grades,
visibility, curves, and
mechanical capability of
the equipment in use at
each mine operation.
Drivers should always
obey posted speed signs.
SPEED
LIMIT
20
Turn Prohibition Signs
• These signs are used
to restrict certain types
of turns at
intersections. They are
also used to keep
traffic from turning
into a one way road or
to keep vehicles from
travelling in the wrong
direction.
Lane Use Control Signs
• These signs are used at
intersections where
drivers are required to
turn or when it is
important to tell all
vehicles how certain
lanes will be used.
LEFT LANE
MUST
TURN LEFT
Do Not Pass Signs
• No passing signs are
usually placed at the
beginning and end of a
restricted area where
passing other vehicles
are not allowed. A
“pass with care” sign
indicates the end of a
no passing zone.
DO
NOT
PASS
Do Not Enter Signs
• A Do Not Enter sign is
placed at the end of a
one way road to keep
traffic from entering the
roadway while travelling
in the wrong direction.
“WRONG WAY” signs
supplement Do Not
Enter signs.
DO NOT
ENTER
The Most Important Sign
• Mine management
should limit customer
and over-the-road
drivers’ access to
hazards while heavy
equipment is being
used to load trucks.
ALL
DRIVERS
MUST STAY
IN THE
TRUCK
WHILE
BEING
LOADED
Steep Grade Signs
• These signs provide
drivers with advanced
warning of steep
downgrades where
special caution is
needed to be exercised.
Post the grade and
length of grade and any
special precautions.
People Working Signs
• These signs are
usually posted on
roadways where work
is being done. Mine
operators should
posted these signs in
all areas where trucks
may come in contact
with workers.
Approaching Curve Signs
• These signs help warn
drivers about a
potentially hazardous
condition or curve in
the road. They may be
supplemented with a
“Reduced Speed” sign
if the negotiating
speed is less than the
posted speed.
Animal Crossing Signs
• These signs should be
posted wherever there
is a potential for traffic
to be affected by
animals unexpectedly
crossing a roadway.
Two Way Traffic Signs
• Sins are posted at the
beginning of roadways
that are designed for
traffic flow in two
directions. They can
be used to indicate
right-handed or lefthanded traffic patterns.
Train Crossing Signs
• Signs, warning drivers
of approaching train
crossings serve to get
drivers ample time to
slow down and
approach rail crossing
with caution.
No Parking Signs
• These signs are
designed to maximize
the width of narrow
roadway by limiting
vehicles from parking.
There should be
designated areas
where haul trucks and
other vehicles can
park.
Falling Rock Zone Signs
• These signs warn
drivers to watch out
for falling rocks and
other materials while
they are driving
through an area.
Restricted access may
be required based
upon the hazard.
Road Narrows Sign
• This sign gives drivers
ample warning when
roadways become
narrow or where a
bridge naturally limit
the width of each lane.
Danger: Explosives Sign
• These signs should be
used in areas where
explosives are in use.
They can be used to
deny access to a blast
are or used as a
placard on vehicles
carrying explosives.
Authorized Personnel Only Signs
• These signs are posted
to limit personnel
from entering
hazardous or restricted
areas. Drivers should
not enter these areas
either while driving or
when they leave the
vehicle.
Danger: Open Flame
• These signs warn all
personnel to the
hazardous conditions
that may exist in an
area or where
flammable and
combustible materials
are in use or stored.
High Voltage Signs
• A high voltage sign
warns all personnel of
electrical hazards.
Drivers should look
for signs that warn
about “overhead lines”
so they may avoid a
common hazard in
mining.
Warning Signs
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Help to control traffic flow
Warn personnel on-foot of truck traffic
Establish safety zones where hazards exist
Remind all employees to be safe
Limit visitors from entering the unfamiliar
Prevent accidents and injuries