Given the global mining sector is riddled with inherent dangers and risks that can lead to prolonged injury or death, it is mandatory that those working within it always wear adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) – particularly when it comes to their eyes, faces and hands.
In this day and age, mine employees must wear appropriate protective wear such as safety glasses or face shields depending on the nature of the tasks they are conducting.
Face shields are usually used in operations that involve the heavy use of chemicals as they offer high-impact resistance and can withstand cracking over a wide range of temperatures.
They also provide high flexibility over long periods and do not distort.
“Full face shields are the preferred choice for eye and face protection in a wide range of end-use industries,” Grand View Research (GVR) noted.
“These full face shields protect from splashes, debris, optical and heat radiation.
“Half-face shields are used as an alternative to goggles as they are efficient in preventing eye contamination. However, due to lack of a good facial seal peripherally, these products are commonly used adjunctively to other PPE.”
The rise in the number of workplace injuries, GVR predicted, was anticipated to fuel face shield demand during the next six years — especially in areas which involved cleaning, operating as well as handling machinery and surfactants.
Overall, the market for this PPE item was expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 7.2 per cent from 2022 to 2030.
“The need for PPE … is anticipated to grow significantly over the next several years as employees are exposed to hot metal, flying debris and potentially dangerous light radiation.”
By using eye protection, including safety glasses, workers will also be protected from long term exposure to dust particles and dirt — both of which can cause irritation or permanent ocular damage.
Meanwhile, chemical splashes, including industrial lubricants and cleaning agents, could result in burns.
In addition, hot or cold steam, electromagnetic wave radiation, and light emissions are threats to the eyes and face.
Ultimately, according to market research, nearly all eye hazards are encountered by construction workers, including those in the mining sector.
Another area which can be exposed to high-risk hazards, is mining workers’ hands. As such, it is recommended they wear PPE gloves, which are specifically designed to protect the skin from hazardous substances.
According to Can Gard, a specialist in mining medical supplies, these gloves usually have no lining and can be utilised in both wet and dry conditions.
They should not, however, be worn when handling acids, bases, corrosives, potent oxidising agents and radioactive materials (except under some narrow circumstances).
Under these scenarios, hand PPE made from stronger materials should be employed.
“The benefit of PPE gloves is that they are inexpensive and disposable, meaning you can use them one time without having to worry about the cost,” Can Gard said.
“You also don’t have to wash or dry these gloves, which saves a lot of time.
“The disadvantage with PPE safety gloves is that they’re not as protective as some other glove types.
“These types of safety gloves will only protect against low levels of chemical hazards and won’t provide much resistance from electric shock.
“The most recommended safety gloves are nitrile powder-free, latex-free and non-sterile because they offer superior protection against chemicals and various other things such as blood-borne pathogens, dyes, oils, acids and bases.”
Can Gard said the two main types of safety gloves were nitrile and vinyl.
The former is made from natural rubber, which means that while it has better chemical resistance and durability than vinyl, it is not able to handle the heat.
And while vinyl provided more protection against electric shocks, it was less durable and didn’t offer much physical strength to shield employees from cuts.
Chemical-resistant work safety gloves, Can Gard noted, buffered workers against hazardous substances that could be absorbed through the skin.
These included acids, oxidisers, solvents, oils, fats and organic peroxides with water-based coolants.
Meanwhile, mechanically-resistant safety gloves protect workers against abrasion or cuts from metal and other sharp objects.
In this instance, the most commonly used materials were nitrile rubber (synthetic), polyurethane, PVC/vinyl plastic and cotton fabric with latex coating, which is designed to be puncture-resistant, but is not immune to chemicals.
“If you are working with hazardous chemicals, make sure to wash your hands before putting gloves on,” Can Gard said.
“This will help reduce the risk of chemical damage and keep your skin safe from irritation.
“You should also clean them after any time they come in contact with a contaminated surface or substance so that you do not spread it around unnecessarily. In this way, you can keep your employees safe and healthy.”
Ultimately, safety gloves provided protection from external elements and chemical substances (which could be harmful to the skin) as well as shielded employees from punctures, cuts or abrasions which may occur when they handled sharp tools for a prolonged period of time.
Furthermore, hand PPE mitigated impacts and vibrations. “Constant vibration can damage cells in sensitive regions of the hand, damage blood vessels, cause long-term joint and muscle pain and lead to long-term disability,” Can Gard added.
“(They also provide) a non-slip grip on hard-to-hold items and equipment, as well as protection against rain or snow when working outdoors.”