

The dredge visits were planned to include-a sample of both. The latter were called “shop built” dredges to distinguish them from “manufactured” dredges. It was anticipated that there might be significant differences between operation and maintenance hazards on dredges constructed by companies whose principal business is dredge manufacturing and on those designed and constructed by their owners or by local machine shops. Recreational area development and maintenanceĭuring the Phase I work, the origin of the mining dredge fleet was discussed with dredge owners, manufacturers, and consultants.Mining reclamation, or settling pond maintenance and fines recovery.The dredges visited were engaged in eight categories of work: It was desirable to compare hazards and safety practices on these dredges to hazards and practices observed at mining operations. They are owned and operated by government agencies. These five used dredges identical to those employed in some mining operations, but in construction and maintenance work. Most of the operations were engaged in mining minerals for commercial markets. The dredge operations were in ten states as follows: The following subsections describe the dredge operations observed. Visits to MSHA subdistrict offices also produced suggestions about operations which should be included in the hazards analysis.


There were several reasons, but the most important were: Although the number of field trips made was the same as originally planned, 31 dredges were visited. The contract requirement was that nine mining dredge operations be visited to gather data on the operations, their safety hazards, and their safety management.
