GENERAL RBM PROCEDURE

RICHARDS BAY MINERALS Effective date: 22 September 2016 Applicable to Procedure No. Revision No. Page All Divisions E 24 GP 002 7 1 of 7 WORKING IN THE VICINITY OF ANY LIVE OVERHEAD POWER LINES OR NEAR ANY OTHER LIVE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND CABLES Compiled By : Manager: Electrical Systems

1. OBJECTIVES The objective of this procedure is to eliminate danger to equipment and personnel arising from working or travelling in the vicinity of overhead lines or exposed live electrical equipment. Strict control of such operations is necessary to prevent an incident occurring

Even if the machinery does not touch the overhead line, the possibility of flashovers exists which could result in the mobile equipment catching fire or electrocution – both instances could be fatal.

The procedure is drafted in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations in terms of the Mine the Mine Health and Safety Act of 1996, Chapter 3, Electricity.

2. DEFINITIONS

“Authorised Person” means a competent person authorised in writing to perform switching operations on overhead power line and cable systems within their area of responsibility. This authorisation shall be made by the Engineer appointed in terms of section 2.13.1 or their duly appointed delegate.

“Competent Person” means any person who –

i. is qualified by virtue of his knowledge, training, skills and experience to organize the work and its performance; ii. is familiar with the provisions of the Act and the regulations which apply to the work to be performed; and iii. has been trained to recognise any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the performance of the work.

“Exposed Electrical Equipment” means any electrical equipment that does not have a mechanical barrier or shield to prevent an electrical discharge.

“Responsible Person” means the person assigned to supervise the work. If an RBM person is not assigned to supervise, the Responsible Person will be the initiator of the work.

“Traveling” means passing underneath or adjacent to electrical equipment in order to move to another position and may not be related to work to be undertaken.

“Working” means any activity other than traveling within the vicinity of electrical equipment.

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E 24 GP 002 Rev No: 7 Page 2 of 7

3. METHOD 3.1 Before allowing any person, machine or equipment to take a position with the intent to do work where there is the potential for any part of the machine, equipment or attached load to approach within 3 metres of overhead lines or other exposed electrical apparatus, the Responsible Person or an appointed competent person for that operation must personally complete a Risk Assessment and implement controls to ensure that at no time will any part of the person, machine, equipment or load be less than 3 metres distant from an energised overhead line or exposed electrical apparatus.

3.2 If it is not possible to implement controls that guarantee that at no time will any part of the machine, equipment or load be less than 3 metres distant from an overhead line or exposed electrical apparatus, the electrical lines or equipment must be isolated. Any deviation from this requirement must be authorised by the responsible Engineer appointed under 2.13.1 or 2.13.3.1.

3.3 Whenever possible, electrical lines or exposed electrical equipment should be isolated to eliminate rather than control the hazard. Other factors to be considered in the risk assessment before deciding whether an isolation is mandatory or not:

o The experience and skill of involved personnel. o The reliability of equipment utilised. o The stability of loads and/or ground. o The period of exposure. o Risks/hazards that may arise as a consequence of isolating the electrical lines/equipment. o Weather and environment conditions.

3.4 Risk Assessments for activities covered by 3.1 and 3.2 must be approved by the relevant Electrical Engineer, Electrical Superintendent or his appointed delegate over and above the normally specified persons. The Electrical Engineer or the Electrical Superintendent only reviews the portions of the risk assessment directly related to the electrical hazard.

3.5 Specifically at the Mining Area - Before any equipment, structure or material that may come within close proximity to live electrical equipment or lines is moved, the planned route or path must be checked to ensure that the minimum distances as specified in this GP will be maintained at all times and for all possible conditions.

4. MINIMUM REQUIRED CONTROLS

4.1 In the event of machinery or equipment working in the vicinity of any live exposed electrical equipment or enclosures, the Responsible Person must demarcate an area on the ground as indicated in Figures 1 and 2. The operator to be instructed and must ensure that no portion of the machine or load encroaches within this demarcated area.

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Barrier position to be 3 metres Minimum from line

Figure 1: Barricading near live overhead lines

4.2 If the Responsible Person has any doubt of the safe height clearance, he must request the Competent Person to measure the clearances with an insulated measuring rod specially designed for the purpose. Under no circumstances must the height clearance be estimated.

4.3 Demarcation should be done with flags and danger tape to an acceptable height that is clearly visible from the inside of the cab of the mobile equipment.

3 metres Minimum clearance to barrier

Figure 2: Barricading near live electrical equipment (substations, transformers, etc)

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4.4 All regularly used roads approaching overhead lines must have clearance indicators indicating the maximum permissible safe object height that may cross under the lines at that point. The standard height restricted warning sign W320 combined with the notice LIVE HV LINES that warns road users of the safe clearances of electrical overhead power must be used.

4.5 These indicators must be erected one hundred and fifty meters (150m) to either side of the overhead line crossing. Where the legal requirement of 150m distance cannot be met, indicators must be placed where practical to effectively indicate the maximum height of any object permitted to pass beneath a overhead power line.

4,5

LIVE HV LINES

Figure 3: Standard Height Restricted Warning Sign

4.6 High profile machines or vehicles fitted with booms such as earthmoving machines, excavators, mobile cranes or vehicles with high loads that are likely to work near or approach overhead lines or electrical equipment must have notices inside the cab warning them of the dangers.

4.7 No excavations may take place along the haulage road without the permission of the Engineer: Power Operations. This includes erection of barricading , signposts, etc. that may endanger the underground electrical cables supplying the mine. Any excavation work in any other area should be authorized by the responsible Engineer for that area by completing the Excavation Permit. Refer also E 35 GP 001 - Excavation and trenching.

4.8 Working within the vicinity of cable gantries or cable racks with heavy machinery requires prior permission from the relevant Plant Engineer.

4.9 Under no circumstances whatsoever may mechanical equipment excavate above electrical cables without supervision of an electrical competent person.

4.10 No equipment may be stored or stacked under power lines within the minimum demarcated area indicated in Figures 1 & 2 above.

4.11 Special clause applicable to the mining area. No tails stacking shall be positioned within 300m or cons stacking within 50m of any overhead line.

4.12 Where work is planned to be undertaken on an isolated overhead line and which is in the vicinity of an adjacent energised overhead line network, adequate controls as determined by the risk assessment must be put in place to eliminate the risk of the effects of electromagnetic induction from the adjacent energised overhead line as illustrated in Figure 4. The controls

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must include the application of portable earths for the provision of a pathway for unanticipated electrical current to flow safely to earth as illustratred in Figure 5 and Figure 6 as examples.

Figure 4: Electromagnetic Induction from Energised Overhead Line*

Figure 5: Portable Working Earths Example 1*

Figure 6: Portable Working Earths Example 2*

*Note: The pictures are for illustration purposes only.

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5. PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE EVENT OF CONTACT WITH ENERGISED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 5.1 If machinery or equipment comes into contact with overhead lines or other electrical equipment, there is a high risk of serious injury or even fatal shock, the following should be done: 5.1.1 DON’T PANIC. 5.1.2 Warn other people away. 5.1.3 Stop all activities immediately and shut down the engine. 5.1.4 The driver must not attempt to drive away, nor lower the mobile equipment or any part of machine in contact with the overhead line without supervision. 5.1.5 Call for assistance immediately, upon which the responsible official (after hours the Senior Standby), or Engineer for the relevant section must be notified. 5.1.6 The cab should only be left under the following conditions: - Only under supervision of the responsible person and upon confirmation from the competent electrical person that the line has been isolated, locked out and made safe, can the driver leave the cab. - The equipment is on fire is the life of the driver is in danger. - There is a possibility of the driver coming into contact with overhead lines whilst inside the cab. (Possible in the event of conductors being broken). - It is not possible for the driver to make contact with anyone else to assist.

5.2 When the driver vacates the cab (under conditions specified above), he/she should still ensure to jump well clear of the cab, ensuring at all times that they do not touch any part of the equipment and the ground at the same time.

5.5 If any mobile equipment has been in contact with, or is suspected to have made contact with live electrical equipment, it must be left in position and cordoned off for 24 hours. Nobody should approach within 200m during this time due to the high risk of the tyres exploding (even if no damage is evident on the outside of the tyre). After this period the Mobile Maintenance Section must inspect the machine and tyres before allowing the machine to be moved. 5.6 Have all damages repaired before restarting or energizing.

5.7 Complete all the required incident reports.

6. REFERENCES E 35 GP 001 - Excavation and trenching Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations (29/1996) - Chapter 3, Electricity

7. REVIEW HISTORY REV NO DESCRIPTION PAGE (S) DATE 1 Updated to new SOP format All Oct 2005

2 Include paragraph on precautions 3 Nov 2005

3 Added detailed to cover all risks to any live electrical All May 2007 equipment and clarify clearance distances

4 Updated and aligned whole document and procedure All Aug 2007 with general requirement to control hazards. Update numbering from E GP 004 to E 24 GP 002.

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REV NO DESCRIPTION PAGE (S) DATE 5 Item 2 – Definitions - Updated the definition of 1,2 Feb 2013 competent person. Updated paragragh 3.4 to include Electrical Superintendent

6 Section 1 Objectives and Section 6 References – 1, 5 Nov 2015 Added reference to Chapter 3, Electricity, MHSA

Section 2 Definitions – Amendment to the definition of 1 the Authorised Person to include the duly appointed delegate of the appointed 2.13.1 Engineer.

7 Section 4. Added paragraph 4.12 – Working on an 4 & 5 Sept 2016 overhead line parallel to an in-service line.

APPROVAL POSITION NAME DATE SIGNATURE Manager: Electrical Systems Sunesh Ramkissoon 22 September 2016

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