The report is organized so that the hazards which were observed, or identified in other ways, are discussed first (Section 2.0). The preparation for the field work included reviewing the available literature dealing with safety, examining Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) data on mining dredge accidents and injuries for a period of about five years, and contacting dredging consultants and dredging associations to obtain their general views on safety matters. Visits were made to representative dredge manufacturers to discuss safety from their perspective. Many types of dredges, engaged in extraction of several kinds of minerals, were observed. The primary method of acquiring safety hazard information was direct observation of active dredge operations in several geographic areas. It included shore-based equipment which supports the dredge or which is in the production sequence immediately following, and regularly interacting with, the actual dredging. The safety hazard consideration involved design and environmental hazards as well as those related to dredge operation and maintenance.

The objective of the work reported here was to examine, analyze and evaluate the safety hazards which affect mining dredge workers.

Mining dredge