Mining Methods
When choosing a job in mining, we also need to look at the different methods used. Determining where you feel most comfortable working will help you decide if mining is for you. Four mining methods are commonly used; underground, open surface, placer, and in-situ. Underground mining is often used to reach deeper deposits, while surface mines are for more shallow and less valuable deposits. Placer mining is employed to sift metals from sediments in wet environments such as rivers or oceans. Finally, in-situ mining is utilized when mining uranium, which involves processing the resource and bringing it to the surface without moving rock.
Exploration
Before mining can begin, the right site needs to be found. Geologists, geo-technicians, and hydrogeologists gather information on an area to decide which places need further exploration. Individuals involved in this process are also in charge of getting legal rights to the land and determining the economic and environmental impact of mining in a particular area.
Engineering
Engineers in the mining field design a mine and the mining equipment. Engineers are constantly trying to improve the performance and productivity of the mine. Workers in this field can often work on and off-site to perform complex calculations and apply engineering principles to bring designs and processes to reality.
Construction
This work often includes clearing the site, breaking ground, and putting together the infrastructure to enter and exit the mine. Heavy equipment operations and hands-on work help get the area ready for mining to begin. Creating a proper work site will set the mining process up for success and improve the safety of the miners.
Operations
People involved with the operations side of mining plan and oversee the day-to-day needs of a mining project. They structure a project so that it will run smoothly for its duration. This includes monitoring the work conditions, managing waste materials, and looking after services such as labs and offices.
Process Jobs
When the material that comes out of the mine is ready to be processed, technicians with specialized knowledge are needed to analyze it. Metallurgists would fall into this category, and their job involves separating the waste from valuables in the deposits. Lab supervisors and technicians are also needed to keep the operation efficient.
Human Resources
Like every company, a team to oversee the hiring, training, and payroll is very important. The HR department also ensures labor laws are being followed and that employee relations run smoothly.
Who are these jobs available to?
The education and experience level needed for these careers varies. Engineers, geologists, and lab technicians will need a higher level of education to be considered for their roles. Construction workers and miners would be hired based on their level of hands-on experience and expertise in particular areas, such as heavy equipment operation.
Where are mining jobs located?
Depending on your role in the mining industry, jobs can be found all over the United States. According to a report in 2020, the US had almost 13,000 active mines across the country. Mines are often located near mountains due to the area being more resource-rich. Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, and Alaska are home to some of North America’s largest-producing surface mines.
Mining jobs can be done day or night and in all weather conditions. Good lighting will be key to your success when looking for safety equipment. ILLUMAGEAR’s Halo SL has 360° lighting to keep your work area lit. Our products currently on the market are for miners working in above-ground mines or areas that are not considered hazardous locations (HazLoc). A HazLoc is an atmosphere containing flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust. However, we have great news for miners working in a HazLoc. An Intrinsically Safe (IS) Halo SL is currently in the testing phase. For more information about the IS Halo SL please reach out to sales@illumagear.com.
Don’t let outdated stereotypes influence your decision when looking for a job in the mining industry. No matter your interest or experience level, a wide variety of mining jobs are available to you.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has two standards that define hard hat requirements. Standard 29 CFR 1910.135 covers hard hat requirements for general industry workers, and 29 CFR 1926.100 determines head protection requirements for workers in the construction, demolition, and renovation fields. Both standards require employees working in areas where there are possible dangers of head injury from impact, falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns, to wear protective helmets. Employers are required to provide hard hats that meet OSHA’s requirements.
For head protection to be OSHA-approved, it must meet American National Standard Institute’s (ANSI) standard ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) and 29 CFR 1926.100(b)(1). These regulations cover the types and classes of hard hats used in specific workplace environments. It also covers the design and performance conditions for electrical shock, impact, and penetration protection. Lastly, ANSI defines the testing requirements to ensure OSHA had hat compliance.
Hard Hat Types
There are two categories of impact protection for hard hats: Type I and Type II.
Type I hard hats protect from blows to the top of the head. They are typically used at construction sites and other places where the possibility of being hit by falling objects is increased.
Type II hard hats protect from an impact to the side or the top of the head. A Type II hard hat should be used if you are working with moving equipment or material where there is a possibility of being hit on the side of the head.
Hard Hat Classes
There are three classes based on hard hat protection against electrical hazards.
Class C (Conductive) does not offer electrical protection. These are commonly vented to keep the wearer cool.
Class G (General) is rated for 2,200 volts. The primary use of this hard hat is for protection against impacts.
Class E (Electrical) is rated for 20,000 volts. These should be used where exposure to electrical hazards is a possibility.
The Class G and E hard hats offer voltage protection to the head only and not to the body as a whole.
It is also important to take into consideration your hard hat expiration date. A hard hat should always be replaced when it has any dents, cracks, tears, or holes. While OSHA does not define a specific expiration timeline, most manufacturers set a specific date. Common guidelines note that hard hat shells need to be replaced after two years of regular use or five years from the date of manufacture.
Using the correct hard hat for your job is a critical step in protecting yourself in the workplace. ILLUMAGEAR wants to take that safety a step further. Our Halo SL is the perfect addition to your hard hat for low-light environments. Sixth Sense will add an extra layer of protection against electrical shock and falls as well.
How we created the best hard hat light
Working with limited lighting isn’t safe. We saw a problem and made it our duty to help create safer work environments. ILLUMAGEAR’S mission is to illuminate people at risk, making them safer and more prepared in any work environment. We set out to develop the best hard hat light on this mission. Want to know what makes the Illumagear Halo SL the best hard hat light in the business?
The Illumagear Halo SL Hard Hat Light is personal.
The Illumagear Halo SL is much more than a headlamp. It’s a revolutionary lighting system. It goes where you go. Our products are designed for the individual. They’re lightweight, flexible, and easy to use. But they’re also built tough to handle the hard conditions of job sites and outdoor wear. We use technology to create complete safety solutions: it’s all part of a whole package. Our product, The Halo SL, provides personal, 360-degree illumination that lets you see the workspace around you while making sure you can be seen in all directions at all times. ILLUMAGEAR intends to continue to be a leader in building innovative safety solutions. The Illumagear Halo SL is on when you’re on.
Features that make the Halo Light the best hard hat light.
We are always listening to our customers’ feedback and are leading the industry to give you the most versatile lighting system. We are proud of our products with the state of the art features. Some of our key components for the Halo SL are: It’s lightweight, cord-free, water-resistant, compatible with any hard hat, rechargeable batteries, and helps you be seen up to ¼ mile away. Illumagear’s Halo SL keeps you seen at all times. That is why we created the best hard hat light for you. Having the ability to work seamlessly in high-risk environments is clutch. The Illumagear Halo SL headlamp system will light up your world. We like to think of the Halo SL as a protective force field. See and be seen.
The Illumagear Halo SL. The Best Rechargeable Headlamp.
We designed to keep the Halo SL lightweight and powerful by using a single 18650 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. It would require 6 disposable AA batteries to power the Halo SL, at 3x the weight of one 18650 Lithium-Ion. A fully charged ILLUMAGEAR Halo SL Battery offers at least 2 1/2 hours of light in any mode. In certain modes, such as Dim, the battery will last much longer, up to 100+ hours
On average, customers report 6-12 hours of use per charge. Battery life can vary depending on the age of the battery and the ambient temperature. To keep track of how much battery life you have, there is a battery life indicator – five easy-to-read green lights, so you know how much life is left in your rechargeable Halo SL headlamp. We also offer the option to purchase spare batteries. If using a non-Illumagear Li-Ion battery, please check the specifications from your manufacturer.
We include the charger, so you never run out of juice.
The Best Rechargeable Headlamp
Our vision is a safer world for people working or playing in any environment. A way to accomplish this was to develop the best rechargeable headlamp. Our Halo SL Hard Hat Light uses rechargeable batteries that you can rely on. The lighting system we created is an active system that provides constant illumination and protection. The lighting output is more consistent. With rechargeable batteries, every single battery has a much longer lifetime. Therefore, using rechargeable batteries is better for the environment and most cost-effective in the long run. Believe us when we say we have created the best rechargeable headlamp for your hard hat, keeping you safe in any work environment.
Rechargeable Batteries = Cord Free
ILLUMAGEAR Halo SL Light is personal. It goes where you go. It’s on when you’re on. Our products are designed for the individual, so they’re lightweight, cord-free, flexible, and easy to use. But they’re also built tough to handle the hard conditions of job sites and outdoor wear. Compatible with any standard hard hat and water-resistant. We’ve created a state-of-the-art illumination system that gives you the freedom of movement and vision. 360-degree illumination that lets you see the workspace around you while making sure you can be seen in all directions at all times.
A cord-free rechargeable headlamp explicitly designed for your hard hat is a no-brainer. Our systems help people take charge of their safety to focus on their jobs.
The Illumagear Halo SL is a state-of-the-art hard hat light ring built to fit any standard hard hat. It is easily installed by sliding it on and pushing it down. The Halo SL is an active safety system not relying on secondary light sources to illuminate the worker. As a result, it won’t fall off in any normal work conditions. Our patented retention clips allow the Halo SL to secure on any standard hard hat without moving around.
The Halo SL has two buttons. The larger button turns on the four 360 degree safety modes. Dim, medium, high and high alert (a pulsing function). You can cycle through these modes as fast as you can press the button. These modes allow you to be seen a quarter-mile away in any direction. To turn the Halo SL off, you can press the button down for two seconds. The smaller button turns on the task and floodlights. The modes are low task, high task, spotlight, and floodlight. You can tell how much battery you have with the battery life indicator next to the buttons. The Halo SL is powered by one 18650 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery. To charge, remove the battery and pop it into one of our chargers powdered by a USB. The Halo SL includes one battery, a single battery USB charger, and a wall adapter.
The Illumagear Halo SL is better than a standard headlamp. The Halo SL’s are a revolutionary technology built to keep you safe and provide you with the ideal light to get the job done right. The light ring is the ideal light for your hard hat. The Halo’s move with you. They are lightweight, cord-free, durable, and water-resistant.
We have created the best hard hat light to help you get the job done.
Thanks for reading, and stay connected and protected!