Duties of a section foreman

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I. Before the shift starts:

  • Ensure properly working equipment is available to perform duties.
  • Check all pre-shift reports.
    • Note any dangerous or hazardous conditions included in the pre-shift report.
    • Ensure the fire boss danger board is complete.
    • If at all possible, the oncoming foreman should discuss the general condition of the section with the pre-shift examiner.
  • Check to see if all employees are at work.
    • Note that the crew is fully assembled. If replacement personnel are needed, ensure that they are certified and qualified to perform the job.
  • Check to see that all employees have needed supplies.
    • Verbally contact each employee before entering the mine. Find out if all employees have the necessary equipment to perform their jobs and work safely.
    • It is also an excellent idea to talk to each employee before entering the mine to determine if the individual has any specific problems.
  •  Ensure that each employee checks in inside the mine.

II. As crew enters the mine:

  • Watch each employee while loading into the mantrip.
    • Ensure that everyone is entering the mantrip in a safe manner.
    • Don’t allow horseplay, such as pushing, running, etc.
  • See that all employees have been provided the necessary equipment to properly perform their duties safely.
    • This is a visual observation, and it is the foreman’s responsibility to see that each miner is properly equipped.
  • Make sure each employee has a safe place to ride.
    • The mantrip should be in safe operating condition. All miners should have a suitable place to ride.
    • Make sure supplies are not transported with the miners (other than small hand tools).
      • Perform preoperational check on mantrip.
      • Ensure track clearance.
  • Observe for dangers as the mantrip travels through the mine.
    • The foreman is in charge of each mantrip.
    • Do not cross hoist rope while hoist is in motion.
  • Observe employees as they dismount from mantrip.
    • Running, pushing, and horseplay should not be allowed.
    • Slipping and tripping hazards should be avoided.

III. Upon arrival at the section, the following checks should be completed:

  • Imminent-danger observation across the working section
  • Emergency transportation
    • Surface or to the bottom of the shaft or slope.
  • First aid equipment
    • At or near the beginning of each shift, ensure that all first-aid supplies are available.
    • Ensure all employees know where the first aid supplies are stored.
  • Fire-fighting equipment
    • At or near the beginning of each shift, ensure that proper fire- fighting equipment is available.
  • Condition of the section power center
    • The area around the power center should be adequately rock dusted.
    • The roof in the area of the power center should be examined. Roof and rib hazards should be corrected immediately.
    • The area where the power center is located should be free of standing water.
    • Ensure that insulating mats are in their proper location.
    • Materials and supplies should not be stored on top of the power center.
    • The area should be free of combustible materials.
    • All cable plugs and receptacles should be properly identified and unused receptacles properly covered.
    • All cables should be equipped with restraining clamps.
    • Extra length or long trailing cables should be spread out in long open loops or figure-eight configuration on clean, well rock-dusted floor, protected from mechanical damage.
    • Suitable fire-fighting equipment and extra bags of rock dust should be located in the immediate area.
    • The power center should be located in an area to protect it from being damaged by mobile equipment.
    • The condition of the trailing cables should be examined.
  • High-voltage cable
    • High-voltage cable must be properly hung and protected from mechanical damage.
    • Extra loops of high-voltage cable must be protected from mechanical damage.
    • High-voltage cable sleds should be free of supplies and grounded to power center.
  • Oxygen and acetylene tanks should be properly secured (in an upright position, if possible).
  • Trash and debris should be removed.
  • Section should be supplied with adequate rock dust and roof support material.
  • Condition of the oil storage area
    • Spilled oil must be cleaned up and removed.
    • Suitable fire-fighting equipment must be in the immediate area.
    • Area must be thoroughly rock dusted.
    • Containers must be properly capped.
  • Stopping Lines
    • Ensure that stopping lines have been constructed at the proper location.
    • Ensure that the air is coursing in the proper direction.
    • Ensure that man doors are installed at proper intervals.
  • Supplies for the section should be located in a place where they may be avoided by mobile equipment.
  • Ensure that equipment operators perform pre-operational equipment checks.

IV. To be check continuously during each shift:

  • Loose draw rock on the section
    • Continuously evaluate roof conditions from the belt tailpiece to the face in all entries and crosscuts. (This is extremely important because operators may not be able to hear or see loose and doubtful roof.)
  • Accumulation of methane
    • Methane tests should be conducted throughout the shift.
    • Ensure that equipment operators are taking methane tests, as required by law, before electrical face equipment is trammed in by the last crosscut and at 20 minute intervals thereafter.
    • Gas tests shall be taken before cutting torches are lit or welders are used. No cutting or welding shall be conducted in by the last crosscut except in case of emergency.
  • Air traveling proper course
    • Ensure that curtains are installed at their proper location and advanced to ensure the section is adequately ventilated.
    • Curtains must be installed properly; the proper length, folded to allow them to open as equipment passes through them, not too long and not too short.
    • Ensure that wing curtains are installed and advanced to maintain the required amount of air at working face. Were the wing curtain starts in the last open crosscut, it should be hooked toward the intake flow.
    • Ensure that every place where methane is likely to accumulate is properly ventilated (deflector curtains, etc.)
    • Ensure airlocks on the section are constructed at their proper location.
    • Ensure stoppings are properly constructed and advanced to ensure maximum efficiency.
  • Volume of air in the last open crosscut and at working faces
    • Ensure the required amount of air is provided between any pair or sets of entries.
    • Air readings must be taken on the intake and return side.
    • The foreman must ensure that adequate ventilation is being delivered across the last open crosscut at all times.
    • As crosscuts advance, air must be directed through newly created crosscuts between any pair of sets of entries. This is done by advancing block curtains.
    • Ensure that all working places are properly ventilated.
  • Roof conditions
    • Understand the roof control plan.
    • The roof control plan is the minimum requirement. If adverse conditions arise, additional support should be installed.
    • Confer with roof bolter operators to ensure proper anchorage zones are being maintained.
    • Check roof test holes throughout the shift to detect irregularities (horizontal and vertical movements).
    • Take prompt action to remove workmen from hazardous locations and install additional roof support as needed. If this cannot be achieved, danger off the area.
    • Observe and ensure that roof bolts are properly torqued.
    • Ensure that no one proceeds beyond the last/second row of permanent roof support as required by the approved roof control plan.
    • Unbolted places should be properly dangered off. The method of dangering off unbolted areas should be a uniform system.
    • See that no one works or travels in by an unsupported crosscut.
  • General conditions of haul road
    • Dust must be allayed by water or other approved methods.
    • Haul roads should be maintained and kept as smooth as possible.
    • Supplies, debris, etc. should not be stored along haulage roads.
    • Excessive water should not be allowed to accumulate on haulage roads.
    • Haulage routes should be designed to avoid collisions.
    • Ensure that mobile equipment operators understand their routes.
    • Do not allow work to be conducted in haulage roadways.
    • Stoppings should not be blocked by curtains so as not to prevent haulage equipment from coming in contact with the stopping.
  • Excessive loose coal and fine, dry coal dust that has accumulated on the section should be removed.
  • Periodically check the dumping point; accumulations of loose coal, hot bearings, water sprays, adequate rock dust, guards, insulating mats, belt switch, unguarded cables, fire sensor/co-monitoring systems.
  • Rock dusting on the working section
    • Ensure that the section is adequately rock dusted to within 40 feet of the face, including last open crosscuts.
  • Trailing cables
    • Trailing cables shall be maintained in a safe condition, protected from mechanical damage and hung in a safe manner.
    • Ensure no work is performed on energized cables and that lock- out and tagging procedures are followed.
  • Neutral air ventilated to main return
    • If the mine does not have a belt-air permit, see that belt air is ventilated to the return at or near the section dumping point.
    • Ensure the battery charging stations are properly ventilated.
  • Ensure that entry and crosscut widths do not exceed what is required in the roof control plan.
    • If an entry or crosscut is wide, corrective measures should be taken immediately.
  • Entries driven too deep
    • Entries should not be mined in advance of the air current. Excessively deep places are extremely difficult to ventilate.
  • Entries and crosscuts driven on sights
    • Ensure that entries are driven on sight and the crosscuts are turned at the proper angle.
  • Condition of the explosive magazine
    • Ensure that the explosive magazine complies with the law.
    • Ensure that the roof in the area of the explosive magazine is stable.
    • Ensure the explosive magazine is located such that it cannot be struck by mobile equipment.
    • Ensure proper danger signs are posted to protect the magazine.
  • Periodically throughout the shift, check with equipment operators regarding the safe operating condition of their equipment.
  • The same procedures followed upon entering the mine should be followed when leaving the section at the end of a shift..
  • Ensure all face equipment is de-energized when leaving the section unattended.
  • Ensure that all employees have checked out at the end of the shift.

*Information taken from Job Safety Analysis Underground Manual, Office of Mine Safety and Licensing, Division of Safety Analysis, Training and Certification

KEMI does not assume liability for the content of information contained herein. Safety and health remain your responsibility. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for proper training, supervision or manufacturers’ instructions/recommendations. KEMI, by publication of this information, does not assume liability for damage or injury arising from reliance upon it. Compliance with this information is not a guarantee or warranty that you will be in conformity with any laws or regulations nor does it ensure the absolute safety of any person, place or object, including, but not limited to, you, your occupation, employees, customers or place of business.

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