Welcome to the February 2026 edition of “Think About This” – brought to you from CORESafety TV and the National Mining Association.

Winter conditions present unique challenges for miners and mine operations, but with proactive planning and disciplined execution, these risks can be effectively managed.

Winter safety involves miner preparedness, equipment winterization and vehicle safety.

If you’re a miner, safety always starts with awareness, and being aware of winter hazards can help you and your co-workers stay safe during the cold months.

Watch this short episode now from CORESafety TV on Winter Safety —

Click to Play

To watch this with Spanish captions, go here now.

BEST PRACTICES FOR MINER PREPAREDNESS
While on the job, you should —

• Clear walkways, ramps, and work areas regularly to prevent slips, trips and falls. Apply salt and sand where needed.
• Use caution when accessing elevated work areas in icy or wet conditions. Always maintain three points of contact when climbing ladders and equipment.
• Wear Proper PPE for Cold Weather. Use insulated gloves, boots and layered clothing to protect against frostbite and hypothermia.
• Monitor for Cold Stress. Train miners to recognize symptoms of hypothermia, frostbite and cold stress.
• Provide Warm Shelter. Create designated locations to allow miners to warm up during breaks and prevent cold weather-related injuries. 

BEST PRACTICES FOR EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE SAFETY
Each time you arrive at a mine site, you should —

• Inspect and Winterize Equipment. Check batteries, fuel lines and brakes to ensure equipment is winter ready.
• Clear Snow and Ice. Keep windshields, mirrors and lights free from snow and ice to improve visibility.
• Test heaters and defrost systems. Confirm proper functioning of equipment cab heating and defrosting systems for visibility and comfort.
• Drive Cautiously. Reduce speeds in icy or snowy conditions, maintain safe distances and be vigilant of black ice on roads. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Go here for an MSHA Winter Alert downloadable PDF.
• To learn more about CORESafety, click here to visit our website