Steel Castings and Other Machinery Parts: Importance in Mining Safety

In Canada, Ontario is among the frontrunners in the mining industry. According to the Ontario Mining Association, the province has 40 mine sites currently operating. The area is renowned as the largest producer of salt, copper, platinum group metals, nickel, and gold in Canada.

Another notable point about mining in Ontario is that it’s one of the jurisdictions with the highest level of safety. The industry is among the safest in the province, with its lost time injury frequency having experienced a 96 per cent improvement rate over the last 30 years. Ontario’s mining industry has achieved this through health and safety initiatives as well as comprehensive training for employees.

Enhancing safety doesn’t only involve the training of people, however, but also assuring that equipment works properly. It’s important that machinery and other equipment will last their maximum lifespans and won’t break down prematurely. Most important of all, however, is the prevention of machinery accidents that are dangerous to workers.

Ensuring the Quality of Components

Mining equipment is designed to work in extreme conditions, but that doesn’t mean they are invulnerable to damage. Abrasion, heat, impact, friction, chemical exposure, mechanical stress, and daily wear-and-tear eventually take their toll on equipment, which is why parts need to be maintained regularly and replaced as needed to minimize downtime. In this light, it’s important to choose parts, such as steel castings, that are of optimal quality and able to meet their intended functions. For this reason, manufacturers such as Wabi Iron & Steel Corp. focus on custom manufacturing so that parts can be built to satisfy unique operating requirements.

Watch for Signs of Wear and Tear

Being aware of the signs of deterioration is crucial to the maintenance of mining equipment. Spotting the subtlest signs informs the operators of significant issues, such as when it’s time to replace mining wear parts, when the machines need more lubricant, and other similarly important factors. Heat and vibration are some common signs of decline. While these signs may have causes other than wear and tear, they always require urgent attention.

Sources
FACTS & FIGURES, Ontario Mining Association
5 Tips for the Maintenance of Earth-moving Machinery to Help Prevent Injuries, Accelerating Science