Mining Wheel Chocks: Ensuring Safety in Australian Mining Operations

Best Practices for Using Wheel Chocks in Mining Environments

In the demanding environment of mining operations, the effective use of wheel chocks is crucial for ensuring maximum safety for both workers and equipment. Let’s take a moment to learn how to properly chock your vehicle:

To begin the process, it is essential to ensure that the chock is aligned properly, meaning it should be centred and squarely positioned against the tyre. This alignment guarantees optimal effectiveness in preventing any unintended movement of the vehicle. When placing the chock, make sure to position it snugly against the tyre tread, as this tight fit will enhance stability and safety.

In situations where you are working on a level surface, it is advisable to place one chock on each side of a single wheel. This method creates a balanced support system that minimises the risk of rolling or shifting.

Conversely, if you find yourself on an incline and need to chock uphill, you should place one chock securely behind each exterior rear tyre. This placement counteracts gravitational forces that could otherwise lead to slippage.

On the other hand, when dealing with a downhill slope, it is crucial to exercise caution by placing one chock in front of each exterior front tyre. This positioning acts as a preventive measure against any potential forward movement due to gravity’s pull.

Variables to Consider Before Using Wheel Chocks

When considering safe and proper chocking procedures, several conditions must be taken into account:

1. Wheel Size: Smaller tyre diameters require smaller chocks, while larger tyres need larger chocks.
2. Gross Vehicle Operating Weight: Heavier vehicles need larger chocks compared to lighter ones.
3. Level or Grade of the Ground Surface: The positioning of chocks varies depending on whether the ground is level or inclined. Correct configuration based on surface grade is crucial for effective chocking.
4. Radial Tyres vs Bias-Ply Tyres: Radial tyres tend to deflect more than bias-ply tyres. This flexibility allows smoother vehicle movement but also enables the tyre to wrap around the wheel chock, reducing its effectiveness.
5. Tyre Pressure Variance due to Environment: Monitoring tyre pressure is vital, particularly in harsh environments, as improperly inflated tyres can lead to chocking failures.
6. Condition of the Ground Surface: The nature of the ground—whether firm, soft, wet, dry, icy, or frozen—determines the appropriate type of chock to use. For icy or frozen surfaces, opt for a cleated-bottomed chock; for extremely wet or muddy conditions, multiple chocks may be required for secure and effective chocking.

Checkers Safety Wheel Chocks: A Trusted Choice for Heavy Vehicles

A part of our Justrite Safety Group family of brands, Checkers Safety has led the way in developing engineered wheel chocks for a wide range of industries since the 1980s. One of the largest wheel chock manufacturers in the world, Checkers are the number one choice of chock for the highly demanding mining industry and are approved and used by Caterpillar in mines worldwide.

Checkers heavy duty, mining wheel chocks are constructed from heavy duty polyurethane, making them durable, lightweight and easy to use. With a larger base than general purpose chocks, they are ideal for preventing uncontrolled movement of heavy equipment such as mining haul trucks, loaders, and cranes.

Advantages of Checkers Wheel Chocks:

• The most popular wheel chocks in the highly-demanding mining industry
• Approved and used by Caterpillar in mines worldwide
• Polyurethane wheel chocks are resistant to extreme weather conditions, tears, abrasions, oils, and solvents
• Extremely lightweight compared to steel and aluminum counterparts
• Long-lasting product life span results in cost savings
• Engineered to reduce damage to your vehicle’s tyres

Click here to view our range of wheel chocks.