Cap Lamp Signals

1
Cap Lamp Signals

• Safety Communication in the Dark
• Created by
• Pat Gazewood

2
Underground Mining Presents Many Challenges.

• Environment is primary concern.
• Atmosphere.
• Ground conditions.
• No lighting.

3
History Teaches

• Fire was first tool used for illumination in
  underground mining for centuries.
• Later candle sticks were used up until the 19th
  century.

4
Miners Needed Better Lighting.

• Candles created poor lighting.
• Candles started fires, killing thousands of
  miners over the centuries.
• Methane gas explosions were a big problem.

5
Walking Down the Drift Was a Problem.

• Then someone thought. Lets stick a candle on a
  cap.
• The cap lamp was born.
• Still problems persisted.
• Wax in your eye burns. Hair burns really nice.
  Smells great too!

6
Invention Is the Mother of Necessity.

• Lamps progressed from candles to carbide.
• From carbide to batteries.
• Better illumination was a must.

7
Invention of Portable Battery Units.

• Greatly increased visibility.
• Reduced fire hazards.
• Increased safety in working areas.

8
Cap Lamps Have All Kinds of New Features.

• Halogen bulbs.
• PED devices.
• Leaky feeder radio.
• Longer battery life.
• Reduced sizes weight.
• Intrinsically safe.

9
Cap Lamps Are a Safety Tool PPE.

• It illuminates hazards.
• By allowing better identifications of hidden
  objects in the dark.

• It communicates a miners actions.
• It allows you to control actions of others that
  may not see hidden dangers by warning them.

10
Safety Tools Require Proper Training.

• Cap lamp signals can be a matter of life or
  death!!!
• Improper usage causes problems up and down the
  mining cycle.

• Not understanding signals creates dangerous
  behaviors.
• It can create ramp rage, delay mining cycles, and
  lead to an accident, or worse death.

11
Cap Lamps Are Simple to Learn Practice.

• There are three basic commands.
• Come forward.
• Move away.
• Stop.

12
Come Forward Command

• This command is simple. Rotate head in a wide
  circular motion.

13
Move Away Command

• This command is made by moving the head up down
  like you nodding yes.

14
The Stop Command

• This command is simple.
• It means stop NOW!!!
• Move the head back and forth like your motioning
  no with the head.

15
Hindrances to Cap Lamp Communication.

• What barriers cause break downs in communication
  here create hazards.
• Misunderstood signals.

• Illumination in haulage ways.
• Lack of training.
• Stubbornness.
• Belief that hand signals are visible in the dark.
• Laziness.

16
Overcoming Communications Hindrances.

• Dont rely on drift illumination as a
  communication catch all.
• If you dont understand signals stop talk
  verbally.

• Overcome the deer in the headlight look.
• Work with one another, not against.
• Learn to use lamp signals they are more
  empowering than hand signals when used properly.

17
Proper Care For Personal Cap Lamps.

• Inspect lamp before after each use.
• Note charging status. Green light is lit. Its
  fully charged.
• Unlit green light, its not fully charged.

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Proper Personal Lamp Care Cont.

• Inspect cords.
• Test both bulbs.
• Make sure cords have reflective tape so if your
  light goes out you can be scene.
• Check lens.
• Check for missing parts.

19
Repair Tag Station

• If your lamp is B.O. Tag it out.
• Attach a repair tag.
• List what is wrong tie a knot in cord.

20
Cap Lamp Care Cont.

• Leave lamp in charger.
• If your lamp goes dead, while underground, lamps
  are at various places underground.
• Follow up. Return spare lamps back to original
  chargers. When finished.

21
In Summary

• Effective communication with cap lamps increases
  operator awareness.
• Reduces confusion between mining personnel.
• Lowers the potential for major traumatic
  accidents.

22
Working Accident Free Requires Everyones
Help.Going Home Safely Everyday is The Most
Important Thing You Can Do Today!
23
Safe Working Motto

• There is No Service So Needed,
• No Job So Important,
• That We Cannot Take The Time
• To Do The Job Safely.