- Do a visual and audible workplace inspection – check above, below, beside, behind and ahead
- Prepare the area – remove tripping hazards
- Select proper scaling bar – held at 45°- should touch the back and extend from past the hip by 1 to 1.5 ft
- Hold bar properly – don’t hold the bar at the end or allow it to point towards your body. Pry away from body off to one side.
- Scale from good ground to bad – work from top down – work ahead of secured ground only as far as safe to so so
- Sound the back and walls thoroughly – loose ground will usually sound hollow or drummy – solid ground will have ringing sound – look for cracks, shears, slips or seams
- Have a good bed for loose to fall on – ensure rocks cannot roll towards you or fall on anything that can catapult
- Watch for unexpected falls of ground – in narrow areas – only 1 person scales, in wider areas – all scaling done in same direction at same rate
- Scale well – difficult loose may have to be drilled and blasted, scale and bolt as you advance, barricade uncontrollable ground and install warning signs. Report all unusual ground conditions.
Category: Underground Ops