Details

SAFETY FEATURES IN HEMM

Safety features and devices to be provided in Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM)

including trucks and tippers (See Regulation 216(2) of Coal Mines Regulations 2017) 1.0 General Requirements:

The following Safety features and devices shall be provided in all Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM):

A. Access:

(i) Safe access to the Operator Station and to routine maintenance points of HEMM shall be provided.

Proper placement of components of the access system shall permit and encourage a person to use

three-point support while ascending, descending or moving about the access system, when more

than 1m above the ground. Two-point support is acceptable for stairs, stairways, ramps, walkways

and platforms. Three-point support should be used for all ladder systems. Track shoe and track pad

surfaces are accepted as access steps if three-point support is provided when the HEMM is in OFF

condition.

(ii) On machines with articulated frames and in the fully articulated steering position, a minimum

clearance of 150 mm shall be provided between firm structures and components with relative

movement in the path of the access systems to the operators station.

(iii) An alternative exit path shall be provided on a different location of the machine than the primary

access path from the operator platform. If the alternative exit path is not obvious, it shall be

identified. The alternative exit path is intended for emergency situations (e.g. machine tip-over) and

therefore does not need to meet the primary access requirements.

B. Operators Station (Cabin):

(i) The cabin shall protect the operator against foreseeable adverse climatic conditions, heat, dust, noise

etc. Air-conditioning system shall be provided in the Operators Station. A ventilation system, an

adjustable heating system and a system for defrosting windows shall be provided wherever required.

(ii) Alternative opening (Emergency Exit): An alternative opening shall be provided on a side other than

that of the primary opening. A window panel or another door is acceptable if they are easy to open

or remove without the use of keys or tools. Latches may be used if they can be opened from the

inside without the use of keys or tools. The breaking of a suitable size of glass pane is considered to

represent a suitable alternative opening, provided that the necessary pane hammer, immediately

accessible to the operator, is provided and stored in the cab. When the window panel is used as an

emergency exit, it shall bear an appropriate marking.

(iii) Doors and Windows: Doors, Windows and flaps shall be securely held in their intended operating

positions. Doors shall be retained at their intended operating positions by a positive engagement

device. The front window shall be fitted with motorized windscreen wipers and washers. The tank of

the window washers shall be easily accessible.

(iv) Pipes and hoses that contain fluids at pressures exceeding 5 MPa or temperatures above 60 °C

located inside the cab shall be suitably guarded.

C. Operators protective Structures:

(i) All HEMM with a seated operator shall be equipped with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS). The

ROPS shall comply with ISO 3471. Further, it shall also be fitted with FOPS, when they are

intended for applications where there is a risk of falling objects. The fitted FOPS shall be in

accordance with ISO 3449.

D. Seats:

(i) The Operators Station shall be fitted with an ergonomically designed adjustable seat that supports

the operator in a position that allows the operator to control the machine under the intended

operating conditions. The seat and its suspension shall be so designed to reduce vibration

transmitted to the operator to the lowest level that can be reasonably achieved.

(ii) If an additional seat for a trainer is installed in the Operators Station, it shall be padded and shall

provide adequate space for the trainer. The trainer shall also have available a conveniently placed

handhold.

(iii) Seat Belt for Operator with reminder shall be provided.

E. Operators Controls and Indicators:

(i) The controls shall be of suitable design and construction and arranged so that they are able to be

operated with ease from the operators seat and within the operators force limits. Controls shall be

laid out and designed to allow easy and safe operation based on the principle that a given direction

of movement of any control produces a consistent and expected effect. The surfaces of frequently

used pedals shall be fitted with skid resistant type materials.

(ii) Controls that can cause a hazard due to inadvertent activation shall be so arranged, deactivated or

guarded as to minimize the risk — particularly while the operator is getting into or out of the

operators station. The deactivation device shall either be self-acting or shall act by compulsory

actuation of the relevant device.

(iii) A device/system shall be provided to release the residual pressure in each hydraulic and pneumatic

circuits which can cause a risk.

F. Starting and Stopping System:

(i) All HEMM shall be equipped with a starting and stopping device (e.g. key). The starting system

shall have a provision for protection against unauthorized use.

(ii) The starting and Stopping system shall be designed such that movement of the machine, working

equipment and attachment, shall not be possible, while starting or stopping the engine, without

activating the controls. (E.g. Transmission Neutral-Engine Start safety arrangement).

(iii) In case of Remote control operated equipment, the Starting and Stopping system shall conform to

any National/Internationally accepted standard.

G. Steering System:

(i) The steering system shall be such that the movement of the steering control corresponds to the

intended direction of steering.

(ii) Hydraulic Steering circuits shall, if used, incorporate the following features: (a) pressure control devices as required to avoid excessive pressures in the hydraulic circuit; (b) hydraulic hoses, fittings and tubing with test burst pressures at least four times the working circuit pressure control device(s) for normal and emergency steering systems; (c) plumbing arrangements which avoid excessively tight hose bends, torsion in the installed hoses, or scrubbing and chafing of hoses.

(iii) An emergency steering system shall be provided which also function with reverse machine

movement if the maximum rated speed in reverse exceeds 20 km/h.

(iv) A warning device indicating a normal steering power source shall be provided. This warning

device shall be audible or visual, and shall be activated by failure of the normal steering power

source.

(v) Articulation safety lock shall be provided in articulated steering equipment. All articulated

equipment shall be equipped with a safety bar or a device, which can readily be fitted without

special tools, to prevent movement of the articulation joint during maintenance work in the vicinity

of this joint

H. Brake System: All HEMM shall be equipped with the following brake systems and all these systems shall be effective under

all conditions of service, load, speed, terrain and slope, according to the intended use of the machine: (i) Service brake : to be used as the primary

braking system during normal operation of the equipment. (ii) Emergency brake - to be applied by the operator in the event of a failure of the service brake.

(iii) Parking brake - used to prevent movement of stationary equipment. Provided that at least one of the brakes shall be “fail safe”, i.e. the spring applied- hydraulically released

(SAHR) or any other means. All HEMM shall have a brake system in accordance with ISO 3450 except for crawler machines with a travel speed less than 20 km/h, which shall have a brake system in accordance with ISO 10265.

 I. Visibility:

(i) All HEMM shall be designed so that the operator has sufficient visibility from the operators

station in relation to the travel and work areas of the machine necessary for its intended use. The

performance criteria shall be in accordance with ISO 5006.

(ii) Rear Vision Camera shall be provided in all HEMM.

(iii) Blind Spot Mirrors / Camera apart from rear side view mirror to enable operator to have clear

visibility of blind spot shall be provided in all HEMM.

J. Stability:

(i) All HEMM with attachments, including optional equipment, shall be designed and constructed so

that stability is provided under all intended operating conditions including maintenance, assembling,

dismantling, and transportation, as specified by the manufacturer in the operation manual.

(ii) Devices (e.g. outriggers, oscillating axle locking) intended to increase the stability of HEMM in

working mode shall be fitted with interlocking devices or check valves which keep them in position

in case of hose failure or in case of oil leakage.

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