NIOSH Mining Safety Idea

Ideas to Reduce Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders


Belt Cleanup


Old Way:Belt cleanup is usually done using a shovel and a great deal of manual effort. This exposes the miner to repeated bending and twisting of the trunk and lifting hazards.
New Way:In some cases, it may be just as effective to clean up the coal spillage using water pressure. This will reduce the worker's exposure to hazardous lifting motions.

Man shoveling  Man spraying with a hose
Old Way New Way
Page last updated: 9/17/2008
Page last reviewed: 5/28/2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Division