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 its 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