Mines have a reputation for danger, often exacerbated by movies and literature. In truth, these are risky places, and workers in the mining industry must prepare accordingly. While there are various safety measures and technologies already in place in the mining industry, two-way radios specifically help boost worker safety while also streamlining communication and improving efficiency as well. To learn how two-way radios benefit the mining industry, read our brief guide.
Efficient Communication
First and foremost, two-way radios afford mining companies instantaneous communication. A mining site is expansive, and workers often can’t afford to have face-to-face discussions. Two-way radios eliminate some hassle and make onsite work simpler, as long as workers understand how to communicate clearly with their radios. As opposed to cell phones which are meant for a multitude of uses, two-way radios function specifically for communication purposes, and engineers design them with ease of communication as their goal. One marked advantage two-way radios offer over cell phones is their usefulness in deep dig areas where cell phones would not typically have an adequate signal.
Improved Safety
Another way implementing two-way radios benefits the mining industry is by bolstering worker safety. While quick communication in an emergency makes a difference, radios also have several safety-oriented applications. For instance, the “man down” application, which alerts crew members when workers fall, utilizes an accelerometer to detect when the fall is at an unnatural angle and notifies others that a worker is in danger after sending a pre-alarm notification to the user. This is helpful in situations when employees work in precarious accident-prone areas.
Additionally, the “lone worker” application helps ensure the safety of workers conducting solo work. During a specified interval, a worker must indicate their safety by pressing a button. If they fail to check in, an alarm activates to send help. If either the “man down” or “lone worker” functions activate, crew members can locate the worker via GPS tracking technology that simplifies their search and secures help quickly.
Quicker Machine Repairs
Furthermore, due to the facility of communication they allow, two-way radios help to initiate machine repairs quickly. A failed mining component or machine presents a challenge to onsite work that requires a quick response to get things up and running again. Communicating with others via radio simplifies the process and helps workers navigate the confusion of an equipment failure in an orderly fashion.
