Work phases, work processes, and occupational risk factors
| Work phase | Description of processing steps | Health and safety risks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Quarry front cutting | ||
| 1a) Preliminary operations | Inspection of work area and marking of cutting lines on quarry bench Clearing of bench | Falling from above Collapsing of mountain Traumas due to stones falling from mountain Accident while assisting moving vehicles |
| 1b) Hole drilling | Assembling, starting, control and dismantling of drilling machine; alternatively use of pneumatic hammer | Being hit with projected parts of the diamond wire Whiplash caused by wire breakage Manual lifting and movement of loads |
| 1c) Cutting with diamond wire saw | Positioning of diamond wire saw and control unit Positioning of wire Positioning of mobile protections for wire Periodic checks on wire during cutting | High level of noise from drilling hammers Dust when dry drilling and from the rising dust sediments from the quarry floor Hand transmitted vibration from pneumatic hammers Whole body vibration from earth-moving machines |
| 1d) Cutting with chain saw | Positioning of machine, control and dismantling after cutting | Gas and diesel exhaust fumes (when the site is underground) |
| 2. Overturning of bench | ||
| 2a) Preparation | Use of pneumatic hammer to drill holes | Falling from above Overturning and rolling over of vehicles |
| 2b) Preparation of rubble bed | Collecting of waste material with loader and depositing at base of quarry bench | Accident while assisting moving vehicles Explosion of hydraulic cushions with projection of metal parts |
| 2c) Movement with cushions, jacks | Manual insertion of cushions and piston jacks and wedging cut with stones | Manual lifting and movement of loads Repetitive movements of upper limbs when using sledgehammers and other manual tools |
| 2d) Pushing with excavator | Pushing bench by inflation of the cushions and with piston jacks Driving excavator on top of bench and pushing with bucket | High noise level from drilling hammers Hand transmitted vibration from pneumatic hammers Whole body vibration from earth-moving machines Dust from dry drilling and the dust rising from the sediment on the quarry floor Gas and diesel exhaust fumes (when the site is underground) |
| 3. Handling of work material in quarry | ||
| 3a) Transport of blocks to deposit or onto truck | Manoeuvring with derrick or, alternatively, lifting and transporting with loader | Accident when assisting moving vehicles Overturning and rolling over of vehicles |
| 3b) Transport of waste material to quarry waste area | Using shovel and mini-loader to collect small pieces in restricted spaces and transfer them to loading area Collecting and carrying to edge of quarry with loader Pushing waste material down mountain slope | Manual lifting and moving of loads Whole body vibration from loaders Dust rising from sediment on quarry floor Gas and diesel exhaust fumes (when the site is underground) |
| 4. Transport of blocks to destination | ||
| 4a) Driving truck on access roads inside the quarry | Driving vehicle along steep, zig-zagged, narrow, dirt track roads, often having to move alternatively forwards and backwards due to lack of space for manoeuvring the truck round the bends | Overturning and rolling over of truck |
| 4b) Driving of vehicle on normal roads | Driving around bends and down mountain roads to the valley, having to brake frequently | Whole body vibration from trucks |