Guidelines for Traffic Control at Surface Mines

1. Guidelines for Traffic Control at Surface Mines

2. 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.

3. MSHA Standards • 56/57.9100(a) Rules governing speed, right-of-way, 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Reporting Unsafe Conditions • 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 • Signs that are out of date or posted for a condition that no longer exists • Inaccurate signs regarding berms or slope.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. Animal Crossing Signs • These signs should be posted wherever there is a potential for traffic to be affected by animals unexpectedly crossing a roadway.

21. 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 left-handed traffic patterns.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. Road Narrows Sign • This sign gives drivers ample warning when roadways become narrow or where a bridge naturally limit the width of each lane.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. Warning Signs • 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