No Compromise on Safety Despite Mining Industry Boom ...Page 3

MineSafe Western Australia

No compromise on safety despite mining industry boom ...page 3

Take care – summer is coming ...page 7

Guidelines launched for prevention of underground ﬁres ...page 9

2004 Volume 13 No.2 MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 1 Editorial

Welcome to MineSafe – the Department of Industry and MineSafe Resources’ flagship publication for communicating mine safety and health issues to mine workers, the minerals This edition... industry and the wider community. 2. Editorial MineSafe’s aims are to promote safe practices and health What the Department does for and safety awareness at all levels and in all types of WA’s mining industry locations in the WA mining industry, and provide up-to- the-minute information on safety in mining, and notify of 3. Ministerial inquiry into OH&S at emerging hazards, risks and critical incidents. BHP Billiton’s Pilbara iron ore operations In addition, MineSafe will advise you of relevant seminars, conferences and training WA mining industry snapshot opportunities, keep you informed about our inspectorate activities, and provide a – no compromise on safety forum for contributions and viewpoints from the mining industry. despite the boom In this issue, we look at the need to ensure hearing protection is worn consistently, 4. Dangerous goods survey the latest dangerous goods community confidence survey, amendments to the Mines shows increased community Safety and Inspection Act, and we provide an economic snapshot of the mining confidence industry to help show its importance to all Western Australians. 5. Most of the time, it’s nothing at The Department of Industry and Resources is also helping develop the National Mine all Safety Framework, an initiative of the national Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources, which will provide common standards across the whole of the Safety to be improved by Mines Australian mining industry. Safety and Inspection Act amendments The Department’s contribution to having an effective and safe mining industry is to provide best-practice regulatory services, using statutory inspections and safety 6. Inaugural Occupational Safety management audits. and Health Innovation Awards We also provide education, training support and information to industry, with safety 7. Take care – summer is coming meetings, presentations to mine site employees, and briefings to industry safety and Is mining safety improving? health representatives complementing our inspection activities. 8. Earth leakage protection on Your comments on MineSafe are always welcome, and may be emailed, telephoned mine sites or posted to the Safety, Health and Environment Division at the Department. 9. Guidelines launched for prevention of underground fires 10. Booster compressor explosions – reverse circulation drilling Malcolm Russell Director, Safety Health and Environment Division 11. Employee Noise Exposure Department of Industry and Resources 12. Mining industry seminars and conferences ISBN 0 7309 7810 9 What the Department does for Published by Safety Health and Environment Division (SHED) WA’s mining industry Department of Industry and Resources Mineral House The Department’s Safety, Health and Environment Division oversights safety, 100 Plain Street occupational health and environmental matters within the mining industry in EAST PERTH 6004 Western Australia. Advice is given to government and industry on engineering and WESTERN AUSTRALIA occupational health and safety matters relating to mining operations, including mineral processing, transportation and storage. Editor: Richard Langford The Safety, Health and Environment Division also regulates and audits the safe Enquiries: (08) 9222 3276 storage, handling and transport of explosives and dangerous goods across all Website: www.doir.wa.gov.au industries in Western Australia. While the bulk of these goods relate to the resources MINESAFE is published four times a year by the sector, they also include fireworks and other hazardous materials used by industry Safety Health and Environment Division of the and the public. Department of Industry and Resources. Articles Internet database services relating to mining activity can be accessed via the and news items may be used freely, although we Department’s website www.doir.wa.gov.au. These include MINEDEX (information would appreciate acknowledgement and a copy of about mine sites, mineral deposits, notices of intent, and site operators) and AXTAT any publication in which they are used. (incident and injury statistics), as well as informational and statistical publications relating to the WA mining industry.

2 MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 Ministerial inquiry into OH&S at BHP Billiton’s Pilbara iron ore operations The State Government is conducting State Development Minister Clive Submissions are being treated an inquiry into occupational health and Brown said the Ministerial Inquiry would confidentially and Mr Brown has safety systems and practices at BHP investigate whether there were any received strong assurances from BHP Billiton’s Western Australian iron ore cultural, behavioural or other factors that Billiton management that there will be no operations. might adversely impact on occupational discrimination against anyone making The Ministerial Inquiry is proceeding health and safety at BHP iron ore sites. comment. concurrently with the four statutory “In conjunction with the findings The government has encouraged all investigations already under way under of the four statutory inquiries already who have worked on BHP Billiton sites the Mines Safety and Inspection Act into under way, the outcome of this and who feel that the inquiry would recent fatalities on BHP Billiton sites. inquiry will provide a complete picture benefit from their experience to make Three fatalities occurred at three into occupational health and safety submissions as a contribution towards different BHPB sites within a three-week practices on BHP Billiton iron ore sites, building a safer workplace for them and period in the Pilbara. to ensure there is the best possible their workmates. Each fatality is being separately chance of identifying any deficiencies, “While the resources sector is investigated by the Mines Inspectorate remedying them and improving safety important to the State’s economy, of the Department of Industry and arrangements.” nothing is more important than ensuring Resources. BHP Billiton and all local union workers return home safely at the end of In addition, the State Mining Engineer leaders have agreed to the inquiry’s their working day,” said Mr Brown. has instituted, under Section 45 of terms of reference, which is being “Our resources sector has a strong the Mines Safety Inspection Act, a conducted by barrister Mark Ritter. record of protecting the health and formal investigation into the technical Mr Ritter is expected to deliver safety of workers, and the number processes involved in the fatality that his report to the Minister for State one priority of the industry must be to occurred at the Boodarie iron ore pellet Development this year. maintain and improve upon this record.” plant near Port Hedland.

WA mining industry snapshot – no compromise on safety despite the boom Western Australia is the nation’s Investment in mining in Western recent announcement of go-ahead number-one State in terms of resources Australia has doubled over the past four for Ravensthorpe nickel (a $1.4 billion production. years. investment with 300 permanent jobs) Covering 2.5 million square As a result, the WA resources sector and Alcoa considering a $1.5 billion kilometres, Western Australia occupies is enjoying a remarkable resurgence expansion of its Wagerup reﬁnery. more than one-third of Australia’s total and our economy is ﬂourishing, with Historically, Western Australia has led land mass – more than three times economic growth of 4.5 per cent the nation in terms of resources industry bigger than Texas and about the size of predicted for 2004-5, following the investment, with more than half of all Western Europe. growth of 6.7 per cent last year, which new investment capital for Australia At the beginning of 2004, there were was the State’s highest growth rate in being attracted to WA. 15,877 mining tenements in force, nearly a decade. This trend is set to continue as world covering 26.3 million hectares. At June 2004, $18 billion worth energy prices reach a 13-year high, These tenements host 225 of resources sector projects were and the demand for key commodities commercial mineral projects, embracing committed or under construction in continues. 672 operating sites (open pit and Western Australia. Another $60 billion From this will come once-in-a- underground mines and quarries) plus of investment is being considered, generation opportunities. 143 processing plants, all together representing up to 50,000 new jobs, Growth will not be limited to any one producing about 50 different mineral mostly in construction. area or a single commodity, but will most commodities worth more than $17 billion This investment comes on the back likely include oil and gas, iron ore, nickel, per year. of record breaking new trade deals with alumina, heavy mineral sands, salt, WA is one of the world’s great mineral China for natural gas (North West Shelf gold, natural gas and other petroleum provinces, currently producing large $25 billion) and iron ore (BHP Billiton $12 products – of which Western Australia percentages of total global minerals billion and Hamersley Iron $15 billion). has plenty. including: tantalum – 42%, zircon If the proposed $11 billion Gorgon Opportunities will also come from – 32%, diamonds – 29%, rutile – 28%, LNG project goes ahead, it will generate downstream processing industries and alumina - 20%, ilmenite - 19%, nickel $2.6 billion a year in LNG sales. varied support industries linked to the - 18%, iron ore - 16%, gold - 8%, and As well, both the alumina and the resources industry. salt - 4%. nickel industry are thriving, with the Continued on page 5

MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 3 Dangerous goods survey shows increased community conﬁdence A recent Department of Industry This broader awareness of risk can and Resources survey shows a nine be attributed to greater media exposure 5.1 DANGEROUS per cent increase in community belief of explosives incidents, either locally NON-FLAMMABLE NON-TOXIC TOXIC TOXIC GAS GAS GOODS that dangerous goods are being safely or worldwide, and this is borne out by 2 6

stored, handled and transported, the fact that for the first time in these 5.2 compared to the last survey conducted surveys, terrorism has surfaced as a two years ago. public safety issue. To ensure a statistically accurate Consistent with results from earlier result, Perth company Patterson Market surveys, chemicals and petroleum Importantly, the public regards Research canvassed opinions from products retained their position as the Western Australia as having a good 600 adults (400 metropolitan and 200 most prominent dangerous goods in the record in terms of minimising incidents country) throughout Western Australia. public mind. involving the storage, handling and According to the 2004 Dangerous However, there have been some transport of dangerous goods. This is Goods Community Confidence Survey, increases in awareness of other particularly important for the resources the main reasons respondents felt dangerous goods, with one in four industry, which often has large quantities increasingly confident that dangerous respondents referring to pesticides in of dangerous goods located on mine goods were being handled appropriately the latest survey, compared to one in sites. was that they believed regulations and five in 2002. The new Dangerous Goods Safety requirements were adequate, they did The survey also found concerns Act 2004 was passed by Parliament not know of too many incidents, they about explosives, which did not rate a recently, and four suites of regulations had faith in people handling dangerous mention prior to 2002, had emerged as are being drafted and expected to be in goods, and believed the relevant people a community concern, rising from 15 per force before the end of the year. had a good knowledge of the safety cent in 2002 to 21 per cent in 2004. The Dangerous Goods Community regulations. Some survey questions regarding Confidence Surveys began in 1996 While there has been a general general public safety were also asked and have been conducted each two increase in the level of anxiety regarding in order to establish a context for years since. Western Australia is the the safe use of all forms of dangerous dangerous goods. Consistent with only State to have them. In 2000, the goods, the survey shows an increased previous surveys, it was found that Department arranged a comparison confidence (91 per cent) that dangerous Western Australians are increasingly survey in Victoria and was able to goods will be handled safely, and that concerned with the public safety issues demonstrate that community confidence the State’s emergency services will be of road safety and crime. is higher in WA. able to manage any event satisfactorily. Most of the time, it’s nothing at all Mrs Murphy had just given birth to see (the accidents where injury or fatality In the past, mining companies have her fourth set of twin boys. The doctor results) and not worry too much about reactively conducted thorough accident said, “Well, Mrs Murphy. It seems that the invisible menace beneath. But when investigation. However, tackling the no- every time your husband makes love the Titanic sank, it was the hole in the injury incidents and unsafe acts more to you, it’s twins.” Mrs Murphy replied, ship below the water line that did the proactively could prevent injuries from “Oh no, doctor, you’re wrong there. damage. occurring in the first place. Most of the time, it’s nothing at all.” Most injuries are not accidents. If all For example, look at a company Accidents at work are a bit like that. non-injury incidents are monitored over employing 1,000 people, none of whom Most of the time, it’s nothing at all. For time, patterns may start to emerge that hold the handrail when using the stairs. every accident that results in injury, assist us in predicting where, when and Even if they only use the stairs six there are a lot of near-miss (or near- how an injury may occur in the future. times a day this results in more than hit) incidents or unsafe acts in which It follows that if injuries are predictable, 1.5 million unsafe acts per year. In no-one is hurt, but which might, if the they are also preventable, but the only this situation, Lost Time Injuries will circumstances had changed just a little, way to ensure that this information inevitably happen with resultant pain, have resulted in someone being injured comes to light is to report every incident suffering and loss of earnings. or killed. and unsafe act, no matter how minor it In addition, there is a good chance Industrial accidents (not to mention may seem at the time. that a fatality will occur, and this will road accidents and accidents in the If as few as four lost time injuries have a long term impact on the person home) are like an iceberg. By far the occur per annum in an organisation, killed, their family, their workmates and biggest proportion is below the waterline then over an employee’s working lifetime the whole organisation. and not easily visible. We tend to be there is a one in two chance of someone concerned only about the bit we can being killed in an accident.

4 MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 WA mining industry snapshot include the Wagerup refinery for which $1.5 billion has been earmarked for Safety to be Continued from page 3 expansion work, and the Pinjarra refinery Western Australia’s iron industry where a significant plant optimisation improved by has about $6.5 billion worth of projects project is under way. These projects will either committed or on the drawing potentially generate 2,000 construction Mines Safety and board. This includes Rio Tinto and Robe jobs and 150 permanent jobs. River’s mine, rail and port expansions Expansion of the Telfer gold mine in Inspection Act costing $1.25 billion, and the HIsmelt the State’s Pilbara (worth $1.2 billion) is iron making plant under construction almost complete. amendments at Kwinana, costing $800 million. In addition, there are numerous other The Mines Safety and Inspection Act BHP Billiton also has major expansion resource projects totalling more than $10 1994 (MSI Act) will be amended to plans, and another possibility is the billion, some of which are subject to final further improve workplace safety in development of the Hope Downs iron feasibility studies, while others involving Western Australia’s most important ore mine in the Pilbara, worth just over desktop studies remain confidential at industry. $1 billion. this stage. The amendments place greater Fortescue Metal’s proposed mine, All this development has enormous focus on safety by strengthening rail and port development in the implications for safety in the workplace. the workplace administrative and East Pilbara, worth A$1.8 billion, and In particular, we need to ensure that consultative arrangements, ensuring Mineralogy’s proposed Cape Preston in the enthusiasm and rush to take better scrutiny of any workplace hazards mine and pellet plant valued at A$1.4 advantage of the current resources or procedures that may need to be billion, are new entrants to the iron ore boom, we do not shortcut and improved. industry seeking to capitalise on strong downplay the need to make certain the The amendments bill introduced worldwide demand. occupational health and safety needs of into Parliament at the end of August Alumina refinery expansion and mining industry employees continue to resulted from a statutory review of the optimisation works are under way or remain a primary focus. MSI Act conducted by Robert Laing, a planned in the State’s South West. They former Commissioner of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. Mr �� Laing simultaneously conducted a �� review of the Occupational Safety and �� Health Act 1984 (OSH Act). It is a �� statutory requirement that the two Acts �� be reviewed each five years. � �� The Laing Review resulted in 61 �� recommendations aimed at improving � �� workplace safety and will set new �� standards within the mining industry. �� Amendments include: �� • Expansion of the general duties of �� care, largely to close the gaps within �� Most of the time, it’s nothing at all � the labour hire industry. �� • The introduction of more flexible �� processes for the election of safety � �� and health representatives, and the �� establishment of safety and health �� committees. �� • Introduction of the right of �� appropriately trained and accredited �� safety and health representatives �� to issue provisional improvement �� notices (PINs). � �� • Establishment of a Safety and Health �� Tribunal, under the auspices of the � �� WA Industrial Relations Commission, �� to hear matters best dealt with by a �� tribunal. � �� • Changes to penalty provisions to �� reflect the gravity of an offence �� that ends a person’s life or causes � �� injury. The amendments provide �� for imprisonment in cases involving ��

� �� serious harm or death where the breach constituted gross negligence.

MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 5 Inaugural Occupational Safety and Health Innovation Awards

Attracting 25 entries, the Chamber • Alcoa World Alumina Australia for its of Minerals and Energy’s inaugural eliminating ergonomic and emission Occupational Safety and Health risks in confined areas; redesigned Chamber President Kim Horne at the launch Innovation Award has been won by horizontal borer work area elimination Alcoa World Alumina Australia for its of fall and ergonomic risks; the Alcoa to promote and assist industry Powerhouse Ergonomics initiative School Safety Initiative; and scaffold improvements in safety and health AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited erection - 100 per cent hookup performance.” was highly commended for its Hori fatality elimination. Following the awards ceremony, Board, while Worsley Alumina Pty The Chamber’s Occupational Safety Professor Jim Joy demonstrated the Ltd received a commendation for its and Health Innovation Awards recognise Minerals Industry Risk Management concept, design, construction and creative and practical solutions to health Gateway (MIRMgate), a website commissioning of four-wheel drive and safety problems, and promote providing access to a useful database vehicles to safely service 51 kilometres their application across the Western of information related to hazard and of overland conveyors. Australian resources sector. risk management in mining, minerals Finalists in the Occupational Safety The awards were presented by State processing and quarrying industries. and Health Innovation Awards were: Development Minister Clive Brown in This website can be accessed via a • Wesfarmers Premier Coal for its new early October. billboard link on the Department’s Safety towing device for heavy equipment; “Submissions showcased Health and Environment homepage at and its prevention of carry back, solutions to specific health and safety www.doir.wa.gov.au. reducing risk using smooth surface problems, design of new equipment An overview of each innovation is wear plate and processes, implementation of featured on the Chamber of Minerals • Tiwest Joint Venture for safety training programs and modification and Energy’s website at www.cmewa. improvements in its Chandala of procedures,” said Chamber Chief com. For more information, contact Laboratory Executive, Tim Shanahan. Nicole Roocke, Executive Officer, Safety “It is through these innovative and Health on +618 9220 8513. practices that we will continue Photography courtesy [email protected]

Winners of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s inaugural Occupational Safety and Health Innovation Awards. Suggestion Box From time to time, Departmental employees who have thought about how details to MineSafe’s Editor at richard. inspectors come across a really good they can reduce the risks associated [email protected] and we will idea in the industry – something which is with their jobs. publish your story. relatively cheap or cost effective, easy to These ideas can often be applied Let us know why the idea was implement and very effective in making across the industry and not just on developed, what need it fulﬁlled, a job safer. the site where they were originally how it was tried and tested, and how Sometimes these ideas are developed. successful it was. A photograph or improvements to the way of doing a Let’s share the good ideas that make sketch of the idea can be very helpful in job, or they may involve a piece of new our industry safer. getting the message across to others, equipment, or a tool designed for a So, if you or your workmates so include if possible. Also include the particular task. The innovation usually have come up with a great idea names of those involved, ideally with a comes from individuals or groups of that helps improve safety, send the photograph.

6 MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 Take care – summer is coming

Working conditions on mine sites manage their transition back to a hot more details about reducing the hazards and around smelters, kilns, furnaces, working environment. created by hot working environments. roasters and on exploration drill rigs can The brochures Working in Hot To obtain copies, contact the be potentially hazardous during summer. Processes and Working in Remote Department of Industry and Resources’ This is because the temperature in Locations, produced by the Mines Safety, Health and Environment Division many regions of the State during this Occupational Safety and Health on 9222 3092. time of the year regularly climbs above Advisory Board (MOSHAB), provide the 40 degree mark. However, the health risks posed by high temperatures can be minimised by following safe work practices. One of the easiest ways to cool down is to wear clothing that breathes, so that moisture transfer can occur while sweating. Cotton clothing is also safer and more comfortable than nylon or other synthetic materials, as it is more porous. Taking regular breaks and drinking adequate amounts of water are other ways to help stop yourself from overheating and dehydrating. It is also appropriate for new employees, or those returning from extended leave or absence, to undertake a formal period of acclimatisation to Is mining safety improving? By Martin Knee General Manager Mining Safety and State Mining Engineer

It’s no accident that Western Australia previous financial year, any incident that quota. And if we do, that quota should is one of the safest mining provinces in hurts or kills is unacceptable to all of us, be zero. the world. and we must therefore continue to strive We must all realise that applying safe Last year, our State’s 43,285 mining for zero harm and zero fatalities. work practices every moment of the day industry employees worked about 90 Human tragedy on a mine site does not involve rocket science. But it million hours. affects everyone, including co-workers does involve discipline and the will to The good news is that our safety and supervisors, mine management, avoid taking shortcuts, or doing things performance is getting better, with police officers and the Department’s differently without an approving full job the lost time injuries per million hours inspectors, all of whom have to confront safety analysis having first taken place. worked each year during the past and intimately deal with the loss of a After you finish reading this decade falling from 13.9 in 1993 to mate’s life in a mine. publication and return to your 4.3 in 2004, a more than 300 per cent But of course, the most affected workplace, remember continuously that improvement. people are the family of the deceased safety starts with you. In 1994, the number of incidents worker. They have to now live each day None of us are bullet-proof, and so reported was 1,033. Ten years on, it has with the harsh and painful reality that it is also your personal responsibility, dropped to 394 in 2003-04, a 260 per a partner, a father or mother, a brother not just that of your supervisor and cent improvement. or sister, or a son or daughter, is not managers, to organise and effectively However, despite our industry’s best coming home. Not ever. manage your workplace, and to look out efforts, four fatalities and 270 serious The real tragedy is that fatalities and for your mates, so that everyone goes injuries were reported to the Department serious injuries do not have to happen. home safely at the end of the shift. last financial year. In every investigation, our inspectors At all times, your mantra has to be All of the fatalities occurred in iron ore find that the fatality or the serious injury – do it safely or not at all. industry operations. was avoidable. Although there was one less fatality There is no inevitability about them. and one more serious injury than in the We do not have to have an annual

MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 7 Earth leakage protection on mine sites

With approval from the Mines Though 30mA personal protection Lighting circuits and control Occupational Safety and Health is clearly impractical in certain parts circuits are equally involved in Advisory Board (MOSHAB), the of electrical installations such as high- around 32 per cent of electric shocks, Department of Industry and Resources voltage circuits and distribution systems, and if just these two categories were (DoIR) and the Chamber of Minerals there remains a significant proportion of also required to be 30mA RCD protected and Energy have formed a joint working plant items where 30mA RCDs can be (as is proposed), the current 18 per cent group to advance a Departmental employed to provide effective back-up RCD safety level would almost triple to proposal to widen the mandatory use protection; and these circuits happen to 50 per cent. of electrical earth leakage protection be the ones involved in many recurring The target is that 50 per cent of devices on mine sites. electric shocks. mining electric shocks will not be Earth leakage devices (also known Since 1995, MSIR regulation harmful. as residual current devices or RCDs) 5.24(2)(c)(i) has required that all Raising the safety benchmark automatically switch off the electricity circuits supplying portable electrical this high (or further) will undoubtedly supply when electrical current leaks to apparatus be protected by a 30mA RCD. challenge the resolve of many – not earth from faulty electrical equipment or Considering about 18 per cent of mining least the working group responsible for wiring. In the case of an electric shock, industry electric shocks consistently fall ensuring outcomes are both realistic and where electricity flows through a person into this category, there is some comfort achievable. to earth, a RCD rated at 30 milliamperes in knowing that none of these events Issues sure to rouse interesting (mA) will trigger and turn off the power could have proved fatal. debate will be defining which control well before a serious injury is sustained. Two other electric shock categories circuits should be protected during However, it is important to note that that raise much concern, and will be the upgrade of existing installations. RCDs cannot prevent electric shock. considered by the working group as Extra-low voltage control circuits are an They detect a shock as it occurs and candidates for RCD protection, are obvious exclusion and this alternative then isolate the electricity supply. lighting circuits, and control circuits such should be pursued as far as possible. RCDs are available in a range of as stop/start controls, transducers and However, problems aside, the sensitivity ratings. Devices rated at pump float-switches. Chamber has had little difficulty 30mA (or lower) provide an in providing plenty of horsepower, internationally recognised with more than enough engineers, acceptable level of safety called consultants and supervisors from personal protection. Devices all industry sectors nominating to rating higher than 30mA afford participate in the working group, or at a diminishing level of protection least have a background involvement. and cannot be relied upon to The group will be chaired by DoIR’s safeguard against injury. Senior Electrical Inspector, Denis Brown, In addition, RCDs cannot who says “Let the music begin. detect a shock current that “All together now: I want, I want, I returns through the supply want my RCD.” system’s neutral conductor. However, the incidence of By Denis Brown shocks in this category is Senior Electrical Inspector small and normally arises from contact with live parts inside electrical enclosures. RCDs are not a substitute for the primary protective measures provided to prevent electric shock from occurring. Instead, they are a back-up for when the primary systems fail, and like other life-saving devices, routine testing is essential to ensure reliable operation when required. Proposal Given that earth leakage devices are readily available and purposely designed to prevent electrocution, DoIR’s proposal is that these safety devices be installed wherever it is practical to do so.

8 MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 Guidelines launched for prevention of underground fires A Hazard Management Guideline for excavations, the quantity of smoke and Other Guidelines Underground Fire Prevention has been noxious fumes that can be produced released by the Chamber of Minerals and its potential impacts on mine available from the and Energy to help prevent underground ventilation, and the limited ability to Chamber of Minerals fires in the WA mining industry. quickly evacuate persons from the mine. The guideline was developed All underground mines should and Energy following consultation with industry therefore undertake and document an • Guidelines for Mine Emergency representatives, and through research underground fire risk assessment that is Preparedness in WA into current systems and practices specific to its operations. to prevent or minimise the risk of The information in this guideline has Practical advice to mine underground mine fires. been provided to assist employers and management, emergency response The Hazard Management Guideline mine operators to undertake this risk coordinators and emergency for Underground Fire Prevention is in assessment and to meet their duty of response personnel for the two parts, with the first outlining the care obligations to prevent the outbreak establishment and maintenance of a risk management process and the of fire in underground mines and mine emergency team organisation. information that should be considered minimise the effects, should a fire occur. • Guide to Positive Performance when determining the underground fire Indexing risk. The second part is a reference Assists in identifying major factors document detailing the controls that which if addressed on a systemic could be considered to prevent basis, would facilitate a positive underground mine fires, and performance culture on WA mine contingency controls that could be sites. in place to minimise their impact. The format is based on • Back Injury Prevention Guidelines the risk management model for the WA Mining Industry contained within the Australian Better education for both Standard for Risk Management management and workers to reduce AS/NZ54360:2004, providing the incidence and severity of lower information that establishes back pain in the WA minerals industry. the context for underground • Guide to Contractor Occupational fire prevention, assists in Health and Safety Management for identifying underground fire WA Mines hazards and risks, outlines factors used to determine A framework within which mining underground fire risk, operations can work with contractors and introduces potential to facilitate quality occupational controls for eliminating or health and safety management minimising the risks. systems and performance. The prevention controls • General Duty of Care in are based on controlling Western Australian Mines the sources of fuel Guidance Note and ignition associated Detailed discussion on the with underground fires through good general duty of care provisions equipment design, use of proper in the Western Australian Mines operating and maintenance procedures, Safety and Inspection Act 1994. and having personnel competent to perform their tasks. Email [email protected] at Employers and mine operators have a the Chamber of Minerals and duty of care under WA mining safety and Energy to obtain a copy of health legislation to provide a working these guidelines. environment where employees are not exposed to hazards, or where the risk of exposure to such hazards is effectively managed. Fires in underground mines pose an extreme risk to the safety and health of underground employees because of the confined nature of the underground

MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 9 Booster compressor explosions – reverse circulation drilling During the past few years, explosions that under the right conditions, ignites • Sparks from various sources, such as involving booster compressors and combusts producing tremendous static electricity or mechanical parts. at reverse circulation (RC) drilling heat and pressure operations have generated a high • Inadequate maintenance, resulting Symptoms potential for serious injury or fatality. in worn or defective mechanical • Excessive oil loss caused by Anecdotal evidence indicates a components allowing oil to enter the mechanical wear/failures, allowing considerable proportion of incidents booster compressor system either oil to enter the booster compressor go unreported, and this impedes from other compressors feeding it or system awareness across industry and from the booster itself reduces opportunities to improve the • Oil leaking from parts of the booster management of hazards and risks • In at least one case, hammer oil was such as the breather hose, seals or associated with the use of this type of intentionally introduced into a booster gaskets compressor system thereby raising plant. • Excessive oil present when draining the level of hydrocarbon in the air/fuel Occurrences involving the explosion scrubber tank mixture and increasing the potential and/or bursting of pressures vessels for ignition and combustion • Excessive operating temperatures of such as booster compressor heat booster engine and compressor exchangers (inter-coolers and after- • Deterioration of the scrubber coolers), condensate tanks (scrubber elements’ condition, reducing its • Excessive oil loss from compressor tanks) and the pipe work and hosing/ effectiveness to capture oil, water and feeding booster compressor. ﬁttings directly connected to them other contaminants. (In one situation, must be recorded and reported to the the steel gauze and steel wool were Duties of employers and Department of Industry and Resources, found to have melted, indicating precautions to be taken pursuant to Section 78 of the Mines several combustion events prior to Given the pressures and volumes of Safety and Inspection Act 1994. the explosion) compressed air involved with RC drilling • Worn and defective mechanical operations, it is imperative the highest Causes and contributing components generating excessive standards of design, maintenance factors heat and thereby increasing the air/ and operation of all compressors is There is little accurate data on the fuel mixture temperature established and maintained. nature of these types of occurrences, • Partially blocked/clogged inter/after- Before continuing any use of high- but what is known about the coolers, bringing the temperature of pressure compressed air at RC drilling occurrences is alarming because in the air/oil mixture within the booster operations, all employers should almost all of the reported cases there system closer to ﬂash point immediately undertake the following were common factors such as: actions: • Build up of carbon from previously • Booster compressors were older • Establish monitoring procedures burnt oil, providing an excellent models to ensure none of the above- ignition source in a high temperature mentioned conditions are present at • Ingress of hydrocarbon (oil) into the environment operations under their control, and booster compressor compression • Spikes in booster system pressure, establish measures to eliminate such system and to downstream such as from sudden discharge valve conditions. components, resulting in oil mixing closure with air to form an air/fuel mixture

10 MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 • Ensure compliance with the following plant are identified, assessed and • Reducing booster intake and Regulations of the Mines Safety reduced so far as is practicable, and discharge air temperatures and Inspection Regulations 1995 that they are in compliance with the • Providing sensors that automatically by completing a formal hazard/risk respective regulations contained in Part shut down the booster when assessment and reducing identified 6 of the Mines Safety and Inspection recommended temperatures are risk to an acceptable level determined Regulations. exceeded in consultation with employees: Opportunities for • Utilising oils with higher flash point o Reg. 4.13 Induction and training ratings of employees improvements The following should be investigated • Providing additional pressure safety o Reg. 6.2 Employer to ensure and where appropriate, actioned by devices in addition to pressure plant is maintained and operated in relief valves to safely vent in the a safe manner employers, designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers and hirers: event of internal combustion o Reg. 6.17 Employer to identify • Improving end users’ awareness occurrences, as pressure relief valves hazards associated with plant and and management of hazards/risks are not designed for such sudden to assess risks associated with use of high-pressure occurrences. o Reg. 6.18 Employer to reduce compressed air plant Reference information for the management of hazards in drilling identified risks • Providing adequate instruction, operations is provided in Safety Bulletins training, assessment of competency Duties of designers, and supervision to equipment No: 21, 31; Significant Incident Reports manufacturers, importers, operators and maintainers No: 003, 020, 036, 047, 051, 061, 077, suppliers and hirers 079, 087, 092, 095, 109, 113, 119; • Ensuring operation, maintenance and MOSHAB Reports: Drilling Hazards Sub- Designers, manufacturers, safety information is readily available committee Report and Drilling Hazards importers, suppliers and hirers have • Developing systems and methods for Report. These references are available duties under the Mines Safety and reducing the reliance on increasing from the Department’s website at www. Inspection Act and must ensure any compressed air pressures to achieve doir.wa.gov.au hazards/risks associated with the desired drilling outcomes

Employee Noise Exposure

Mining employee noise exposure show when the employee was exposed is initially assessed during a noise to various noise levels, as shown in the reporting process prescribed in the chart below: Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994. Showing employees how their The levels of employee noise individual noise exposure varies across a exposure obtained are then used for day is useful in gaining their cooperation a series of noise control measures, with noise control measures such including selection of appropriate as appropriate procedures or the hearing protectors. use of hearing protection. This process is carried out every Recent experience with five years. dosimeters has also identified As a result of recent findings from noise levels in excess of those the MineHealth database on noise shown in noise reports. induced hearing loss among mining The Department is collating employees, the Department has noise dosimetry data for more recommended that individual analysis that will assist in reducing mining companies introduce noise exposure within the mining personal noise exposure industry and preserve the programs to enable quicker hearing of mine workers. responses if corrective Data provided to date action is required. clearly show underground Personal noise exposure programs workers experience higher noise use noise dosimeters that are worn by exposure than other workers. employees during their work to provide The Department currently has more accurate measurements of individual than 1,500 noise dosimetry recordings noise exposure. entered into the MineHealth database. Data from dosimeters with data- Of this data set, over 75 per cent is logging functions can be downloaded above the 85 decibel (dB) action level. and displayed graphically to clearly

MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 11 Mining industry seminars and conferences

Quantitative Mineral Resource Assessment and FLAC-3D Numerical Modelling Exploration Risk Analysis for Strategic Planning Perth, 5 August 2005 Brisbane Qld, 1-2 December 2004 More information at www.acg.uwa.edu.au/courses_f.html More information at www.ausimm.com/events/upcoming.asp Hoist and Haul 2005 Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists Perth, 5-7 September 2005 Conference (AIOH) More information at www.ausimm.com/events/upcoming.asp Perth, 4-8 December 2004 Blasting for Stable Slopes More information at www.aioh.org.au Perth, 15-16 September 2005 PNG Mining and Petroleum Investment Conference More information at www.acg.uwa.edu.au/courses_f.html Sydney, 6-7 December 2004 Iron Ore 2005 More information at www.ausimm.com/events/upcoming.asp Perth, 19-21 September 2005 Managing Rock Dumps and Stockpiles More information at www.ausimm.com/events/upcoming.asp Perth, 17-18 February 2005 AusIMM Extractive Metallurgy Operators’ Conference More information at www.acg.uwa.edu.au 2005 AusIMM’s 9th Underground Operators’ Conference Brisbane Qld, 26-30 September 2005 Perth, 7-9 March 2005 More information at www.ausimm.com/events/upcoming.asp More information at www.ausimm.com/events/upcoming.asp MineBox Expo RaSiM6 – Sixth International Symposium on Becoming WA’s biggest mining and engineering expo, Rockburst and Seismicity in Mines incorporating the latest technology, products and services for Perth, 9-11 March 2005 the mining industry More information at www.rasim6.org.au Claremont Showgrounds, Perth, October 2005 Ground Support in Open Pit and Underground Mines Underground Mining Seminar Series Brisbane Qld, 5-8 April 2005 Four one-day workshops - open stope mining, narrow vein mining, caving geomechanics More information at www.acg.uwa.edu.au Perth, 26-28 October 2005 Aucta 12th Australian Tunnelling Conference More information at www.acg.uwa.edu.au/courses_f.html Brisbane Qld, 17-20 April 2005 More information at www.acg.uwa.edu.au Second World Conference on Sampling and Blending Sunshine Coast Qld, 9-12 May 2005 More information at www.ausimm.com/events/upcoming.asp Centenary of Flotation 2005 Brisbane Qld, 6-9 June 2005 More information at www.ausimm.com/events/upcoming.asp Tailings Management and Decommissioning Perth, 23-24 June 2005 More information at www.acg.uwa.edu.au 8th International Mine Ventilation Congress Brisbane Qld, 6-8 July 2005 More information at www.ausimm.com/events/upcoming.asp Advanced Geomechanics in Underground Mines Perth, 3-4 August 2005 More information at www.acg.uwa.edu.au

Visit www.doir.wa.gov.au for other information

12 MINESAFE 2004 Volume 13 No.2 DoIR04NOV_004