This resource does not replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations and should not be used as or considered legal advice. Health and safety inspectors apply the law based on the facts in the workplace.

Purpose

The purpose of this guideline is to help workplace parties understand the requirements in Regulation 854 – Mines and Mining Plants under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and suggest best practices to safely control the mine hoisting plant by avoiding operator distractions, thereby preventing injury and illness to workers.

Objectives

The objectives of this guideline are to provide information to:

  • minimize situations that would negatively impact a hoist operator’s ability to carry out their duties
  • minimize distractions to hoist operators, thereby improving their work environment
  • enhance the safe operation of the mine hoisting plant

Legal requirements

Regulation 854 – Mines and Mining Plants under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) outlines the requirements related to hoist operator duties.

 

Key legal requirements include, but are not limited to:

  • Section 11 (training for hoist operators)
  • Section 62.1 (safe procedures for performing non-routine hazardous tasks)
  • Section 239 (hoist operator logbook)
  • Sections 240 (duties of the hoist operator)
  • Sections 241 (hoist prohibition)
  • Sections 242 (normal and emergency hoist procedures)

Terms

The following terms are not defined in the OHSA or Regulation 854. The descriptions below are included for general reference purposes.

  • Hoist operator: a person, trained and qualified to operate the mine hoist.
  • Hoist operator distraction: includes unauthorized or unnecessary communications, events or other immediate environmental factors that distract a hoist operator while the hoist is in manual operation, potentially causing a loss of focus on the correct operation of the mine hoist.
  • Hoist operator workstation: the desk, console, location, etc. where the hoist operator interacts with and controls a single mine hoist.
  • Hoist control room: an enclosed area where hoist operators monitor and/or control mine hoists via hoist operator workstations.
  • Central mine control room: an area or designated room with several different workstations, desks, consoles, etc., where one or more persons operate and or monitor the various mine machinery and systems (for example, monitoring a hoist, rock-breaker, crusher, dewatering, ventilation).
  • Fully automated: when a hoist operator is not required for movement of the hoist.
  • Semi-automatic control: when hoist operation is initiated by the hoist operator (for example, selecting destination) but once initiated, the hoist travels to the selected destination and stops automatically.
  • Manually controlled: when the hoist operator is in full control of the mine hoist operation, including starting, stopping, applying brakes, etc. (Most modern hoisting systems have automatic slow-down supervision in the end zones when the hoist is in manual mode).
  • Monitoring a hoist: monitoring and acting on mine hoist alarms or emergency stops where the mine hoist is in automatic mode requiring little or no active engagement or interaction with the mine hoist control system.
  • Human machine interface (HMI): the computer screen or other graphical system that displays the status of the hoist and is used by the hoist operator to monitor, supervise and/or control the mine hoist.
  • Remote control stations: remote locations (for example, cage level control stations) where certain select operations (for example, jog up/jog down, start, stop) may be performed by non-hoist operators.
  • Special operations modes: any operation that requires full manual operation at predetermined parameters. In some cases, this may include disabling some protections. Examples of special operations may include rope-up, inspections, testing and slinging.

Background

The safe and efficient operation of a mine hoisting plant impacts many aspects of the mine operation. The hoist operator is integral to the testing, monitoring, and operating of this vital link between the underground and surface operations. Hoist operators are responsible for the safe movement of material and people during normal operations as well as in emergencies. With the shift to central control systems, the demands on the hoist operator have increased.

The amount of information that needs to be processed by hoist operators can distract them from their primary task of operating the hoist. Hoist operator distractions have led to undesired events due to improper or inadvertent hoist movements which can have very serious consequences. Risk assessments of mine hoisting plant operations in Ontario have determined that hoist operator distractions and the inadvertent movement of mine hoists represent high risks to worker safety.

Control systems for fully automated and/or semi-automated hoists that require minimal operator input or control could introduce a sense of complacency and over-reliance on technology. Changes in technology may introduce additional hazards due to the increased workload of the hoist operator and compounding distractions outside of the operation of the hoist. These could include:

  • Operating the hoist remotely from the mine hoisting plant (for example, from a central mine control room where there could be multiple hoist operator workstations in one room) can pose many distractions. These distractions can include other people conversing, other mine operations not related to the mine hoisting plant, and the overlapping signals from different hoists. Hoist control rooms that are not proximate to the mine hoisting plant can pose safety concerns due to reduced visual and audio feedback to the operator about the functioning hoist.
  • Requiring hoist operators to perform other control room tasks rather than solely operating or monitoring the hoist operation.
  • Using communication devices such as the mine radio and phone system, which can cause unwanted distractions and lead the hoist operator to miss or misunderstand shaft signals.

Risk assessment

Regulation 854 requires that mine employers conduct a risk assessment to identify, assess and manage hazards and potential hazards (sections 5.1 through 5.3). Once hazards have been identified and assessed, risk management involves the ongoing monitoring and adjustment of controls that have been adopted to mitigate the risk associated with a health and safety hazard. Some of the common categories of controls include:

  • elimination, substitution, or reduction
  • engineering controls
  • work practices
  • industrial hygiene practices
  • administrative controls
  • personal protective equipment

Things to consider in your risk assessment

A risk assessment must be performed to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, and should take into consideration the following:

  • Hoistroom personnel access (for example, restricting access to persons that are required to be in the control room).
  • Additional duties assigned to hoist operators and delegation of such duties, for example:
    • emergency response
    • monitoring the telephone
    • storm monitoring
    • video monitors
    • ore/waste handling system monitors
    • ventilation control
    • water management
  • The use of manual hoist operation versus automatic hoist monitoring and the safety of the hoist and workers.
  • Communication devices and methods, including those required by the hoist operator to operate the hoist (for example, signals, mine radio, camera monitors) and those not required to operate the hoist (for example, cell phone, internet, reading emails or focusing on mine-wide phone communications).
  • The number of hoist operator workstations that need to be monitored and operated.
  • Potential distractions due to proximity of other hoist operator workstations.
  • Potential distractions due to the proximity of other mine systems and workstations.
  • Noise, temperature, lighting, ventilation (including stench), and other environmental factors.
  • The number of screens and cameras to be monitored and the amount of information to be processed.
  • Access to eating, sanitary facilities, and additional considerations for operator comfort and safety.
  • Location of logbook and hoist data material relative to the hoist operator workstation, which can cause unwanted distractions by those accessing this material.
  • Hoist operator workstation ergonomics to ensure the space is designed to remove negative impacts to the operator’s comfort.
  • Hoist operator fatigue management (for example, periods of inactivity, duration of continuous/extended manual operation, shift schedule).
  • Remote operation of the hoist by personnel other than hoist operators (for example, hoist jogging stations, cage level control stations).
  • The hoist operator’s skills, training, and familiarity to those tasks, whether performed daily or infrequently, including non-routine hazardous tasks that can affect the competency of the operator.
  • Controls and procedures that minimize hoist operator distractions to ensure they are functioning as desired.

Acceptable practices while operating or monitoring a hoist

At all times when operating or monitoring mine hoists, the hoist operator must be:

  • fit for duty
  • qualified
  • fully capable of manually controlling or taking over control of an automatically operated hoist during abnormal or emergency situations

When the hoist is in manual, semi-automatic or special operations mode, the hoist operator must remain at the controls and be fully focused and engaged in controlling the mine hoist to ensure the correct procedures for the safe operation of the mine hoist are being followed.

Mines should have a procedure or policy that indicates when and how it is appropriate to communicate with the hoist operator. This policy or procedure may include topics such as:

  • direct communications between the hoist operator and other persons, or with any communications devices, while participating in emergency response actions
  • situations where the hoist operator is being instructed by a mine hoist trainer
  • performance of tasks where communications between the hoist operator and other persons is required (for example, maintenance activities and emergency situations)

While the hoist is in motion, all required information must be displayed on the hoist human machine interface (HMI). Only the required information for correct operation of the hoist should be displayed on the screen.

Avoid distractions while operating a hoist

The hoist operator should not use entertainment devices, such as:

  • televisions
  • radios
  • handheld devices
  • music players
  • any other devices that can distract the hoist operator

The hoist operator should not play games, read books, do puzzles, or engage in any other activity that distracts the hoist operator from the safe operation of the hoist.

Do not monitor unrelated systems

The hoist operator should not monitor other systems not related to the hoist operation (for example, video monitors, ore/waste handling systems, dewatering, ventilation). Only systems relevant to operating the hoist should be accessible from the hoist operator workstation.

Leaving the hoist operator workstation

If leaving the hoist operator workstation is unavoidable (for example, restroom visits, tending to another hoist), this should only be done when the manually operated hoist is stopped and secured. A policy should be developed that sets out how to secure the hoist operator workstation and when to make a second hoist operator available during extended manual hoist operations.

Using semi-automatic features

Modern hoists have “semi-automatic” features (for example, stopping on a specific bell, stopping on set markers, stopping on predetermined destinations, elevations or set speeds) that are beneficial when used as intended. However, they can create hazards if the operator:

  • is distracted
  • loses focus (for example, during periods of inactivity)
  • becomes overly reliant on the semi-automatic features

Semi-automatic mode should not be used for:

  • slinging
  • shaft inspection
  • roping
  • certain maintenance activities

As extended periods of operation on semi-automatic mode can promote inattentiveness, consideration should be given to a work/rest regime.

Considerations for improving operator attention

Certain operations (for example, jogging up/jogging down, starting, stopping) may be performed at remote locations (for example, cage level control stations or hoist remote jogging stations) by authorized personnel. These systems transfer limited control functionality from the hoist operator to the hoist maintenance personnel, eliminating the possibility of hoist operator distractions that may endanger the maintenance personnel. Installation of these systems can reduce incidents that may be caused by operator distractions.

Limit interactions with others to reduce distraction

Interactions with other people can be a significant cause of operator distractions. Consideration should be given to:

  • mine policies and procedures intended to reduce hoist operator distractions
  • restricting access to the hoist control or mine control room, including locked doors, limited visibility from general operations, and prominent signage (for example, entry by authorized personnel only)
  • prominent indicators (lights, beacons, etc. interlocked with hoist mode selector switch) when the hoist is in manual operation, with consideration given to further restrictions to hoist operator access when in manual operation
  • providing an indication of when the conveyance is on chairs
  • restricting and reducing communications to the hoist operator to only those persons needed to operate the hoist.

Eliminate unnecessary equipment and convenience items

The hoist operator control room should only house and contain the equipment, material, and other items necessary to ensure the correct operation of the mine hoisting plant. Specifically, the hoist operator control room should not be a storage area for the mine (for example, spare parts) and should not be a meeting or gathering area for mine employees.

Only hoist operator logbooks should be stored in the hoist control room. Machinery, electrical and shaft record books should be stored outside the hoist control room in a designated area.

Convenience items (for example, coffee machine, microwave oven, fridge), should not be provided within arm’s reach of the hoist operator workstation. They should be in reasonable proximity to the hoist operator but should not be intended for other personnel.

Implement environment and ergonomic controls

Environmental controls (for example, temperature control and lighting controls that are adjustable by the operator for the workstation) should be implemented to maintain operator attentiveness and reduce fatigue.

Ergonomic controls (for example, standing or sitting position, control lay out, ensuring the chair is adjusted for operator comfort and adjustable by the operator for the workstation) should be implemented to maintain operator attentiveness and reduce fatigue.

Use sound reduction technology

Where necessary, noise cancelling headphones or other sound reduction technology may be integrated to hoist operator communication systems, shaft bells, etc. However, noise cancelling headphones and other sound reduction technology should not be considered the primary method of reducing noise distractions.

Review job procedures

Job procedures should be reviewed prior to conducting tasks. Tasks that are not routinely performed should have priority during this review. Section 62.1 (1) applies to non-routine hazardous tasks as determined jointly by the employer and the joint health and safety committee (JHSC) or the health and safety representative (HSR), if any, for the workplace. These are hazardous tasks performed infrequently at the workplace. While there may be workplace procedures for these non-routine hazardous tasks, in many cases they have not been used for significant periods of time and may also require review.

Operating multiple hoists in a single hoist control room

Manual operation

During manual operation, the hoist operator must be fully focused on the correct operation of the hoist under his or her control. Operators should only operate one hoist in manual at a time. Hoist operator workstations should be located away from high traffic and/or congregation areas.

Use of an operator presence system (for example, operator presence control switch, chair presence switch, spring loaded joystick) could be integral to the hoist controls.

When multiple hoists are operated manually close to each other, there may be distractions. Consideration should be given to:

  • making the shaft bell signals clear and distinct for each shaft compartment
  • implement controls, such as automatically stopping the hoist on a stray bell
  • separating hoist operator workstations by physical barriers, or if this is not practical, other mitigation strategies should be considered, such as:
    • scheduling maintenance activities to avoid multiple hoists being operated in manual
    • connecting headphones to the hoist control signal system to isolate the audible signal to the operator of the hoist
    • having controls in place to ensure the required visual signals are isolated to the hoist operator
  • using a second hoist operator workstation in a different location for maintenance activities

If extended manual operation during a shift is planned, a second hoist operator should be considered to monitor and supervise other hoists, and/or to relieve the other hoist operator (work/rest regime). Each mine should determine the duration of extended manual operation and provide guidance to the hoist operators.

Automatic operation

When hoists are operated automatically, it is not necessary to have one operator per hoist.

Hoist operator competency

The hoist operator must be accredited in the appropriate Common Core training program and relevant specialty modules as required under section 11 of Regulation 854.

Employer’s responsibility

The employer should establish training specific to the mine hoisting plant being operated. The employer must ensure that the hoist operator is competent as defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and is maintaining an acceptable level of knowledge and experience.

The hoist operating procedures should be reviewed to ensure they are still applicable to the current operations, and this should be done at least annually.

Employer’s signing authority

The employer’s signing authority is responsible for maintaining the relevant modular training programs required for their workplace. The signing authority is also responsible for ensuring workers are able to perform any necessary skills outlined in a relevant training program module, which may include a “hands on” or practical demonstration of the worker’s competency to perform a given task.

Consultation with the joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative

Employers must develop and maintain measures to eliminate, where practicable, or control, where the elimination is impracticable, the hazards and potential hazards identified in a risk assessment (sections 5.1 through 5.3 of Regulation 854). The employers must do this in consultation with the joint health and safety committee (JHSC) or health and safety representative (HSR), if any.

Where the OHSA or its regulations require that an action be taken in consultation with another party, including, but not limited to, the JHSC or HSR, the employer should engage in a meaningful interaction (including dialogue, discussion and providing all relevant information) with the JHSC or HSR. There should be a genuine opportunity for the JHSC to comment, and those comments should be received and considered in good faith.

This includes taking into account any feedback and responses from the JHSC or HSR before taking action (such as, implementing a plan, program, etc.) and responding to any recommendations arising out of the consultation.
Consultation is not simply informing the JHSC or the HSR that the employer intends to take action.