Over the last 25 years, ORAFOL Australia has become a leading reflective material provider. Our expertise and innovative products benefit the mining industry in particular. How?

Safety and efficiency are the bedrock of the mining industry—keeping workers protected and operations running smoothly. Poor visibility in open-cut and underground conditions can turn minor risks into major problems.

This is where ORAFOL's reflective solutions shine, lighting the way for safer, more efficient mining operations.

ORAFOL’s reflective solutions and tapes for mining use retroreflective materials incorporating prismatic technology and glass beads for all required grades of reflectivity.

Prismatic technology uses tiny prism-shaped elements embedded in the material to reflect light directly back to its source. Similarly, when light hits microscopic glass beads integrated into reflective materials, the light bends and reflects back toward the source. Both materials produce high reflectivity and brightness, which is ideal for mining environments.

These reflective products are sold under the ORALITE® brand and are approved by industry leading international and national specifications for safety and peace of mind.

Open-cut mining presents several visibility and safety challenges.

• Machinery: Large machinery and frequent vehicle movements can lead to accidents.
• Weather and lighting conditions: Dust, fog, rain, and low-light conditions at dawn and dusk make it difficult for workers to see equipment and vehicles, increasing the risk of collisions and injuries.
• Hazardous areas: Identifying site boundaries and dangerous areas like deep pits can be tricky, especially in low-light conditions.
• Blasting: Blasting operations create debris and dust clouds, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.

ORAFOL’s mining safety solutions can help combat all of these challenges. Retroreflective films and tags can be applied to machinery, vehicles, and site boundaries so they are easily seen in any condition, helping workers quickly identify hazards and stay safe.

Safety issues specific to underground mining include

• Visibility: Lack of natural light, confined spaces, and complex tunnel systems can lead to disorientation.
• Obstructions: Dust can obscure visibility, leading to trips and collisions.
• Emergency safety: Emergency exits and safe zones can be difficult to identify, especially during power outages or in smoke-filled environments.

Again, ORAFOL’s reflective solutions and tapes for mining save the day. By using these on machinery, tunnel walls, pathways, and roadways, workers can easily navigate underground, identifying equipment and hazards, even in dark or dusty conditions, and finding their way to safety in emergencies.

Mining sites are busy environments with heavy machinery constantly in operation. Poor visibility of mining equipment can lead to collisions, especially in low-light conditions, dusty environments, and bad weather.

ORAFOL’s mining safety solutions will keep cars, trucks, tankers, and machinery visible, helping  operators and ground workers to:

•     Maintain safe distances
•     Identify hazards quickly
•     Navigate sites safely
•     Reduce the risk of injuries and operational downtime

Accidents at mine sites can be severe and result in significant injuries, equipment damage, and operational delays.

ORAFOL has a wide range of resources to support safe mining practices:

• Custom tags and rope patches: Identification and delineation markers for underground and open-cut mining sites
• Helmet stickers: Designed to increase worker visibility in areas where there are moving vehicles with headlights
• Cone collars: Providing delineation and colour identification at mine sites
• Picket pockets: Delineating and demarcating haul roads, intersections, and blasting areas
• Roll-up signs: Flexible signage for personnel and vehicles that improves safety in the event of impact
• Hanging streamers: Delineating underground roadways

How Do Adhesive Reflective Tapes Improve Safety in Mining Operations? 

High-visibility mining tapes with reflective properties can be applied to vehicles, equipment, and signage at mine sites, making them easy to see in low light, dusty conditions, bad weather, and emergencies. This enhanced visibility helps provide clear guidance and prevent collisions, falls, and other accidents.

Are ORAFOL’s Products Suitable for Harsh Mining Environments? 

ORAFOL’s reflective solutions and tapes for mining are made with durable materials that resist the extreme temperatures, moisture, dust, and wear and tear of mining environments. Such durability means the visibility of these products remains high, and their adhesion remains strong.

What Types of Mining Operations Benefit Most From Reflective Solutions? 

Both open-cut and underground mining operations greatly benefit from reflective solutions. In open-cut mining, reflective high-visibility mining tapes enhance the visibility of large machinery, vehicles, and site boundaries, reducing the risk of accidents in dusty, low-light, or foggy conditions. Underground mining, with its confined spaces and lack of natural light, relies on reflective materials to mark equipment, tunnels, and emergency exits to help workers navigate safely and avoid hazards.

How Do ORAFOL’s Solutions Comply With Safety Regulations in the Mining Industry? 

Several of ORAFOL’s mining safety solutions comply with Australian and New Zealand safety standards. For example, AS/NZS 1906.1:2017 Class 300 (Class 1), a specific standard for retroreflective materials used for safety signage, vehicle marking, and other applications. 

The stakes are too high at mine sites not to take safety seriously. Damage to mining equipment and activity downtime is costly, but above all else, nobody wants worker injuries on their conscience. ORAFOL’s reflective solutions and tapes for mining keep safety in sight, no matter how tough the conditions get. Browse our extensive range online today.

For more information or to request a consultation or quote, click here to complete the online form, and we’ll contact you shortly. You’ll also find the phone number and address of your nearest ORAFOL warehouse here.