June is National Safety Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of protecting your well-being across all areas of work and life. Safety is a prime concern in the mineral industry. Not only is it crucial to follow proper mining techniques, but minerals such as vermiculite and diatomaceous earth are used for a wide variety of safety applications, including filtration and fireproof materials. Learn more about how to celebrate National Safety Month with minerals.

What’s National Safety Month

The National Safety Council has named June the month to focus on preventing unintentional injuries in the workplace, home, and community. Resources are available each week on topics including emergency preparedness, falls, and heat-related issues. Many of these related problems are preventable with the right information and plans in place. While June is dedicated to sharing safety awareness tips, the goal is to make it easy to follow throughout the year.

What Companies and Families Can Do

There are many ways to celebrate National Safety Month, both at home and at work. Here are some recommended initiatives:

• Absolute Zero. Companies aim for zero incidents in the workplace.
• Safety Data Sheets. Manufacturers provide detailed information on product materials and how to properly use them.
• Safety Meetings. Regularly discuss safety measures when introducing a new product or process.
• Emergency Drills. Discuss an escape plan in the event of a fire or other natural disaster.

Your company may choose to invite speakers to talk about a range of safety risks and tips for success. Find ways to make the activities and discussions interactive and engaging to encourage participation. You can also wear green, the universal color of safety, to show solidarity in your efforts.

Safety Features of Minerals

Safety is a prominent aspect of the mineral industry. Not only are safe practices required in mining natural resources, but minerals also possess certain qualities that make them excellent safety features:

• Flame-resistant
• Low melting point
• Low density
• Insulating
• Anti-caking
• Absorbent

These characteristics make minerals essential for heat-sensitive applications, such as:

• High-temperature protective wear
• Aluminized clothing
• Fire-rated construction materials
• Automotive fire protection
• Flame-retardant materials

However, minerals can also be sharp and vary in hardness, requiring safe handling and storage.

Safely Using Minerals

Any mining practices come with its own levels of safety for the workers, community, and environment. It’s important to preserve natural resources by minimizing the amount of surface exposed during the mining process. Areas should be replanted to help replenish natural ecosystems with native species. It just so happens, the mineral diatomaceous earth makes an excellent growing medium and that can help boost vegetation in reclamation areas.

The mining and processing of minerals can also emit hazardous dust and emissions. Dust can be controlled through the use of specialized baghouses and reclaimed water from rainfall and mine runoff. Any air emissions should be monitored and regulated to ensure safety compliance.

Once minerals are mined, handling these materials also requires wearing appropriate protective equipment—such as skin and eye protection—in a well-ventilated area.

Staying safe should always be a top priority in any situation. If it takes one month to bring these issues into the spotlight, it’s worth it, for it can help to prevent accidents from happening at any time of the year. Take some time during National Safety Month to thank minerals for their service.