Remote Control Machines Undergound · underground mines where large mobile (free steering) equipment is operated. The hazard is well recognized, and the risk of injury to personnel

JUNE 1998 1

Remote Control MachinesUndergound

3 FATALITIES IN6 MONTHS IN WA

MINES... See page 2

JUNE 1998 1

JUNE 19982

MINESAFE IS PUBLISHED BY :The Mining Operations Division6th Floor, Mineral HouseDepartment of Minerals and EnergyWestern Australia100 Plain StreetEAST PERTH WA 6004ConsultantEditor: Catherine Stedman

Tel: (08) 9317 3485Associate Editors:Mark Butson

Chris StubleyPatrick BurkeMark Brown

Typesetting: Carol KeoghGraphic Design: Christine Gillard

Enquiries: Tel: (08) 9222 3310 / 9222 3545Fax: (08) 9325 2280http://www.dme.wa.gov.au

MINESAFE is published four times ayear by the Mining Operations Divisionin conjunction with the Policy andPlanning Division. Articles and newsitems may be used freely, although wewould appreciate acknowledgment, aswell as a copy of any publication inwhich they are used.

The recent tragic fatal accident toa loader operator at Bronzewingmine provides a stark reminder ofthe very real hazards present inunderground mines where largemobile (free steering) equipmentis operated.

The hazard is well recognized,and the risk of injury to personnelwhere such equipment isoperated in the confined spacesin underground mines is veryhigh for persons in the vicinity,both in terms of probablility ofinjury occurring, and severity.

For that reason, standardoperating practice for persons onfoot in the vicinity of mobileequipment, is for the equipmentdriver to stop, until those personshave walked past, or reached aposition of refuge clear of theequipment’s movement zone.

It is all the more critical thatpersonnel operating mobileequipment on remote control, doso from a secure position, andoperate in such a manner thatthey are always well clear of theunit, and never between the unit

and side walls when it is inmotion. The safe operatingposition must be maintained untilthe equipment is immobilised.

The control functions on remoteoperation, even for a highlyskilled and experienced operator,are never as effective as when theoperator is seated at the manualcontrol position.

All other personnel, whether onfoot or in mobile equipment,must remain well clear of theremote operation, and anyapproach to the operating areamust be strictly controlled.

Safe systems of work andthorough operator training toensure competence are essential.

Systems of work must bedeveloped with the personnelwho are to operate the units andthe system checked andvalidated.

Operating guidelines for this typeof equipment will be developedthrough the standing committeeof MOSHAB. These will bedistributed when they areavailable.

HAVE YOUR SA Y!If you have anything to say regarding Minesafe articles, mine safety ortopical mining issues please send your letters to the attention of theMinesafe Editor at the abovementioned address.

Selected letters sent to the Editor will appear in future issues ofMinesafe.

Inside .........PAGE SPECIAL FEATURES:

2. Remote Control MachinesUnderground

4. A New Australian Standard forthe Management ofOccupational Noise

5. Mechanical Scaler6. Poseidon Story Preserved

at Windarra7. Attendance at Accredited Safety

and Health RepresentaivesTraining Courses

8. New Structure for MiningOperations Division

10. Winter is Here - Avoid ElecticShocks

11. “Wesgard” - Welding VoltageReducer

12. Australia is Moving (or So it Seems)12. Biological Monitoring of Mine

Employees13. 1998 Surface Emergency

Response Mine RescueCompetition

14. Mining Fatalities Taskforce15. Guide to Positive Performance

Indexing Now Available

REGULAR ARTICLES

2. Have Your Say!3. Guest Editorial

14. What’s On15. Staff Changes15. New Publications16. Incident Alert

COVER STOR YREMOTE CONTROL MACHINES UNDERGROUND

JUNE 1998 3

GUEST EDITORIAL

The issue of an entrenched level ofrisk taking and the factors whichinfluence such behaviour werecovered in the December 1997MINESAFE report from the FatalitiesTaskforce.

Two factors are evident in theserecent deaths, which were touchedon in the December 1997 article.

These are, tolerance of identifiedrisks, and failure to appreciate theseverity of risks, on the part ofindividuals and organisationsinvolved.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO IMPROVESAFETY CULTURE?

Three basic elements are essentialfor efficient and safe performance.

• Knowledge

• Capacity

• Motivation.

The knowledge required of hazardsand (foreseeable) risks is generallywidely available, but it is notalways effectively communicatedwithin operations.

The capacity exists at mostoperations, and includes safetymanagement systems and programs,fit for purpose plant (includingequipment), and training andsupervision of personnel. Theselast two have substantial room forimprovement, in the undergroundsector. A further critical aspect isto ensure that time constraints (realor perceived) do not impactadversely on safe performance.

Motivation remains the critical keyto improved performance. Theremust be strong leadership,demonstrated managementcommitment, trust and co-operationbetween employers and employees,and a belief that all injuries arepreventable. This must besupported by a genuinely heldbelief that real efficiency andproductivity is achievable onlywhere safe performance is theprimary driver of the productionfunction. Proper motivation isinherent in developing andmaintaining a successful safetyculture.

James Reason defined culture as

“The unwritten rules that governacceptable behaviour”.

(In this context “acceptable” means“responsible”).

J M TorlachSTATE MINING ENGINEER

This Report identified a range ofdeficiencies in safety performanceat all levels in the industry, and inparticular, highlighted the existenceof an entrenched risk-taking culturein the underground sector.

With five fatalities in five months,coming after a year in which tenpeople were killed, the wholecommunity asks WHY?

It can not be a lack of awareness ofthe problems. The Report has beenwidely distributed and brought, byextensive media coverage, to theattention of the wider community,as well as to those directlyemployed in mining and theirfamilies. Its content has beenwidely discussed and considered indetail, across the industry.

However, a Report in itself will notdrive change and improvement.

Improvement will come only fromtotal commitment and involvementon the part of all involved in theindustry to accept the findings ofthe report and remedy the defects.

Working parties have beenestablished through MOSHAB tocarry out a range of tasks, includingthe development of two codes ofpractice. All of these outputsmerely provide the means fororganisations and individuals tounderstand and manage risks moreeffectively. The motivation toimprove must come from withineach enterprise, starting withleadership and commitment fromthe top.

In the four months since the releaseof the Report on the Inquiry intoFatalities, four more deaths have

occurred in underground mines, oneon the day the Report was released.

JUNE 19984

A NEW AUSTRALIAN STANDARD FOR THEMANAGEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL NOISE.

“Occupational noise management” (AS/NZS

1269) was published in March, effectively

replacing the previous version of AS 1269-

1983, “Acoustics – Hearing Conservation”.

The Mines Safety and InspectionRegulations 1995 refer to AS 1269for noise control and therefore therevised standard will impact onnoise control strategies undertakenby the mining industry. The standarddoes not set new occupational noisecriteria as this is still governed byregulatory requirements, such as theaction level specified in MSIRegulation 7.3.

In general terms, the changes whichhave been introduced in the newstandard include:

• The expansion of the noisecontrol section to emphasisenoise control as the primary goalof an occupational noisemanagement program.

• The provision of more detailedguidance on the implementationand management of both noisecontrol and hearing protectionprograms.

• The improvement of proceduresfor auditory assessment.

More specifically, the revisionreflects the change in concept froma “noise dose” to that of employee“noise exposure” which is nowassessed differently and includesadjustments if employees workshifts longer than 9 hours.

The adjustment compensates for theadditional employee hearingdamage which results fromcontinued exposure once the

temporary threshold shift isreached, ie. after 10 hours ofexposure.

Typically, an employee working a12 hour shift will have 1 dB(A)added to his/her normalised totaldaily noise exposure value. Thisadjusted value is then used indetermining the noise managementfor this employee.

Consequently, all noise reportingrequired by MSI Regulations 7.10and 7.11 should be based on theadjusted noise exposure values.

Moreover, mining companiesoperating extended shifts will needto re-set their noise exposure targetlevels in line with therecommended adjustments. Forthose companies operating 12 hourshifts, the current exposure targetlevel of 83 dB(A) (LAeq, 8h) willbecome 82 dB(A).

The revised standard has alsointroduced new classification andselection methods for hearingprotectors. The protectors are nowrequired to be selected based onthe employee noise exposurevalues instead of a single noisemeasurement recommended by theprevious standard. For this reason,hearing protectors that justprovided sufficient attenuation to aparticular noise level under theprevious standard will now haveinsufficient attenuation if the

employee exposure durationexceeds 8 hours. As a result,mining companies operatingextended shifts will need to reviewtheir selection of hearing protectorsin light of the new standard.

For the purpose of monitoringaudiometry (undertaken to detecttemporary or permanent thresholdshift), the new standardrecommends that the test beconducted during the workshift inorder to reveal any temporarythreshold shift. The previousstandard required 7 hours of quietbefore any of the monitoring testaudiograms were undertaken. Thenew standard may require anincrease in audiometry testing. Theimplication of these changes,particularly when and how oftentesting should be conducted, iscurrently being reviewed byMOSHAB and industry will beadvised on specific requirements inthe near future.

The MINEHEALTH System will bechanged in two areas to reflectchanges in the standard, namely;noise dosimetry and audiometry.

The current guidelines for noisecontrol and personal noiserecording will also be revised.

For further information contactJerry WilczewskiTel: (08) 922 23128.

Curtin Consultancy Servicesintend to hold a seminar onthe new standard AS 1269 -Occupational NoiseManagement.

For further informationcontact Freda Jefferson

Tel: (08) 9266 3300

JUNE 1998 5

MECHANICAL SCALERAt the Kanowna Belle Gold Mine18 Kilometres north east ofKalgoorlie, joint venture partnersNorth Ltd and Delta Gold havepurchased the first Jama Scaler tocome into Australia.

All headings at the mine are scaledwith the Jama Scaler before thebolting cycle, and then checkscaled by hand after bolting.

The Jama Scaler was developed inSweden as a joint venture by threemining companies, Boliden Ltd,Kiruna Mines and North’s

Zinkgruvan, with equipmentbuilder Jama Mekaniska AB. It ismarketed in Australia by Kalgoorliebased company Rapallo.

To ensure the Kanowna BelleOperators are fully trained in theuse of the machine and mechanicalscaling techniques Mattias Ahlm anoperator from the Zinkgruvan minehas been seconded to KanownaBelle for three weeks.

Above:Jeff Nixon (Senior UndergroundSupervisor), Ocker Harvey (TraineeScaler Operator) and Mattias Ahlm.

No. of Mechanized Scaling Machines in SwedenNo. of Machines

30

25

20

15

10

5

079 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95

Scaling Accidents Swedish Mines 1983 - 1995No. of Machines

20

18

14

8

10

2

01983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

4

6

12

16

Accident Statistics

Below:Note the correlation between the increasein the number of mechanized scalingmachines and the decrease in the numberof scaling accidents.

Left: Ready to go underground

JUNE 19986

POSEIDON STORYA feeding frenzy on the Londonand Australian Stock Exchanges in1969 sent shares in the little-knownmining company, Poseidon NL,scorching from just 80 cents to$280 in just five months.

The investment hysteria wassparked by Poseidon’sannouncement of a nickel strike atWindarra, about 30 kilometresnorth west of Laverton. The goldprice was down and nickel was theglamour metal at the time.

Fortunes were quickly made – andjust as quickly lost when Poseidon’sshare price dropped as fast as ithad risen.

Although owning a substantial orebody, Poseidon NL was unable toraise enough capital to commit tofull project development. WMCjoint-ventured with Poseidon in1972 with the operation producingits first nickel in September 1974.WMC gained full ownership of theWindarra Nickel Project in 1983.

This was a very important site inthe corporate history of Australianmining. Millions of people aroundthe world have heard of thePoseidon Nickel Boom. However,very few know where it originated,and even fewer have actually beento the site.

At its peak, every day of the year,and around the clock, for 24 years,600 people worked the mine andprocessing plant, extracting nickelworth about $1.3 billion.

Windarra had a nickelconcentrating plant, goldprocessing mill, a 20-Megawattpower station, full minesiteinfrastructure facilities, andaccommodation for more than 500people and three tailings storagefacilities.

By May 1990, all of the viablenickel ore had been extracted andthe Mount Windarra mine wasclosed. However, the treatmentplant continued to process nickelore from nearby mines at Leinsterand South Windarra. Largerquantities of gold ore fromLancefield and Beasley Creek werealso processed from 1981 untilDecember 1994 when the Windarraprocessing plant was closed.

DEMOLITION AND REHABILITATION

At a cost of $8.5 million,decommissioning of the mine andrehabilitation of the landscape thentook place involving an area of 930hectares.

All mine buildings and structureswere removed except; the

headframe structure, the diamonddrill rig, all crusher foundations,ore bin and ball mill foundations,and the mine office building.

The Department’s StructuralEngineer inspected these remainingmine structures and prepared aplan which will ensure the safety ofall people who will visit theheritage trail. The planrecommends the provision ofbarricades surrounding particularsteel and concrete structures andthe implementation of inspectionand maintenance programs.

More than 2,000 kilograms of seed,valued at $220,000, was collectedfrom local indigenous plants andsown so that regrowth and plantdistribution will eventually blendwith the surrounding naturalvegetation. One hundred treeswere hand-planted by students fromnearby Laverton Primary School.

THE WINDARRA HERITAGE TRAIL

Reached via a bitumen road andequipped with a car park largeenough for tourist coaches and carswith caravans, the WindarraHeritage Trail is also fullyaccessible to people withdisabilities.

Windarra - as it was.

Demolition in progress.

JUNE 1998 7

PRESERVED AT WINDARRADominated by the originalWindarra Shaft steel headframe, thetrail winds through rehabilitatedareas of the former minesite, whichis interspersed with concretereminders of its mining past.

The wide, hardpacked gravel trailfollows the gold and nickelproduction process, with manyenamelised signs and photographsexplaining the history.

The Windarra Heritage Trail hasbeen vested in the Shire ofLaverton, which is also acceptingresponsibility for the trail’s ongoingmaintenance. WMC retainsinvolvement for ensuringrevegetation occurs to anacceptable standard.

AWARDS

The Heritage Council of WesternAustralia has fully accredited theWindarra Heritage Trail. Last year,Windarra won the GreeningWestern Australia John Tonkinenvironment award, and is

currently a finalist for the BanksiaAward.

The miners, equipment and theactivity may have gone, but theboom memories and a safe siteremain for the interest andenjoyment of all who visit in theyears to come.

And with major help from theminers, the bush is now reclaimingits territory, effectivelydemonstrating that mining is atemporary land use, and thatmining can be compatible withsustainable ecologicaldevelopment.

I have been advised by anaccredited course provider of agrowing trend for attendees atcourses to leave the course at mid-day on the final day of the course,due to flight commitments to returnto their respective minesites.

This practice is totally unacceptable.

A most important component is thefinal part of the course in which allthat has been communicated ispulled together, and the criticalissue of how to operate effectivelyin the role is covered.

The employer delivers the wrongmessage by apparently disregardingthe effectiveness of the training andthe capacity of the Safety & Healthrepresentative to perform.

The obligation is to complete thecourse, not most of it. The time offfor employees to attend thesecourses must be scheduledaccordingly.

J M Torlach

STATE MINING ENGINEER

ATTENDANCE A T ACCREDITED SAFETY ANDHEALTH REPRESENT ATIVES TRAINING COURSES

Constraints of this sort should notbe placed on attendees byemployers, as the course effectivelyhas not been completed and theindividual is disadvantaged.

The statutory obligation tocomplete the course can beregarded as being invalidated bythis action.

Employers should ensure that theiremployees are provided with theopportunity to complete the course.

Effective discharge of the role ofthe Safety & Health Representativeis extremely important to theoperation.

Windarra - as it is today.

NEW STRUCTURE FOR MININMINING POLICY SECRETARIAT (MPS)

Jim TorlachState Mining

Engineer

Bjorn GAssistant GenOccupationa

Engineer

Tel: (08) 9222 3310 Fax: (08) 9325 2280 Email: [email protected]

The State Mining Engineer (SME) heads up the new Mining Policy Secretariat (MPS) which isresponsible for the formation, administration and promotion of the Mines Safety and Inspect Actand Regulations.

The MPS supports the Mines Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board (MOSHAB) —a tripartite statutory body providing advice to the Minister for Mines on mining safety and health— and the Board of Examiners. MPS liaises with industry and employee groups and othernational and international regulatory authorities to keep abreast of new standards, codes anddevelopments in mining safety to develop policy and keep Western Australia’s regulations at theforefront in mining safety and health.

The State Mining Engineer retains the responsibility vested in this position, under the Act, of theenforcement for the administration of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act. The day-to-dayfunction of this is delegated to the General Manager Mining Operations.

The Minithe Minethe succeMO provthe beneoccupatioto assist

MOSHAB

• Reviews MiningOS&H law,development andamendments

• Approves codes ofpractice, guidelinesetc.

• Approves OS&Hmining courses

• Conducts Inquiries(eg. 1997 FatalityInquiry)

BOARD OF EXAMINERS

• Certification ofStatutory positions

POLICY DEVELOPMENT

& INDUSTRY LIAISON

• Development ofOS&H Policy

• Industry andEmployee Liaisonand Consultation

• Promotion ofOS&H initiativesto industry • Occupational Health

• Radiation Monitoring

• Industry Liaison andInformation Services

JUNE 19988

NG OPERA TIONS DIVISIONMINING OPERATIONS (MO)

Gillgrenneral Manageral Health and

ring Safety

Tel: (08) 9222 3092 Fax: (08) 9325 2280 Email: [email protected]

Martin KneeAssistant General Manager

Mining Safety

Hugh JonesAssistant General Manager

Environment

ng Operations (MO) is charged with the task of the implementation and enforcement of the provisions ofs Safety and Inspection Act and Regulations, and the environmental aspects of the Mining Act. MO monitorsess of the implementation of the Act and Regulations through an appropriate mix of audits and inspections.vides technical expertise and support to the MPS in the development and refinement of the legislation withfit of the experience of its close operational contact with the mining industry and specific research intoonal health, safety and environmental industry issues. MO also develops guidelines and information sheetsthe mining industry in achieving conformity with the requirements of the Act and Regulations.

Bob HopkinsGeneral Manager

Mining Operations

• EnvironmentalManagement

• Site Inspections

• Approvals of MiningOperations

• Annual PerformanceReviews

• Environmental Bonds

• Regional MiningInspectorates

• Audit and InspectionServices

• AccidentInvestigations

• Conformance Advice

• Diesel Registrations

• Engineering Services

• Inspectorate Support

• AXTAT

• MINEHEALTH

JUNE 1998 8

JUNE 199810

An analysis of 304 mining industry electric shocks reported in 1995-97 revealed that analarming proportion (95) were directly attributable to the entry of water into electricalequipment, all of these could have been avoided. The seasonal trend shown in the bar-graphindicates that up to 50% of all electric shocks occurring in winter are caused by water ingress.

WINTER IS HEREAVOID ELECTRIC SHOCKS

Examination of the 95 incidents revealed:

♦ 25 were caused by the use or handling of portableelectric tools and extension leads that had becomewet either by splashing or by being left out in therain.

♦ 23 shocks arose when pushbuttons were operatedon stop/start stations and crane pendant controls,that were later found to be full of water.

♦ 18 incidents involved general fixed plant such asmotors, lighting and switches, all of which hadsuffered water ingress.

♦ 13 resulted from operating equipment or switcheswith either wet hands or gloves.

♦ 8 involved the handling of ‘decontactor’ plugs thathad become internally wet; and

♦ 8 others occurred during or after the hosing orcleaning of equipment.

Who is getting hurt? Have a look at the pie-chart. Itseems like the electricians have a very healthy respectfor the hazard, while other workgroups naively andunfairly cop it while carrying out their normal work.

What needs to be done? Most defects are obvious andeasily recognised by all employees. Other defects canbe diagnosed by an electrician.

DO IT NOW ! Otherwise, next year we will be gazingat another seasonal peak in electric shocks. Over thepast 2 years we were very lucky to escape a possible304 electrocutions.

For further information contact Denis BrownTel: (08) 9222 3546.

60

50

40

30

20

10

0Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8

Figure 1 Electric Shocks 1995-97

Other causes Water ingress

Figure 2 Incidents by occupation

Elect.4%

Appr.6%

Other.14%

Mech.26%

Oper.53%

JUNE 1998 11

This product is designed to eliminate all risks ofelectric shock to persons using conventional electricarc welding equipment.

The device is about the size of a shoe-box andconnects between the welding power source terminalsand the output welding leads. As the name implies, itoperates by automatically reducing the open-circuitvoltage of the welding circuit to less than 6volts whenthe welding arc extinguishes, and only applies fullwelding voltage the moment that weldingrecommences.

The equipment’s internal electronics continuouslymonitor the electrical resistance of the output weldingcircuit, and only allows full voltage to be switched onwhen the measured resistance falls to less than 20ohms. Conversely, reduced voltage is triggered whenresistance increases above 20 ohms.

Taking into account that under the most adverseconditions, the electrical resistance presented by aperson receiving an electric shock is in the order of200 ohms, any personal contact with welding circuitsprotected in this manner will be completely harmless.A simple comparison of the 200/20 ohm resistancevalues yields a most comforting and impressive safetyfactor of 10:1. As well as improving welding safety,the voltage reducer has the following advantages.

♦ Can be used with 45-100 volt AC or DC

♦ Can be used with any constant current source

♦ Has solid - state components

♦ Does not affect weld characteristic

♦ Has been tested by an accredited WA test station

“WESGARD”WELDING VOL TAGE REDUCER

Whilst good equipment environment and soundpractice should minimise risk, conditions such asmoisture and confined spaces increase risk. Fatalitiesand near-hits have already occurred and therefore it isstrongly recommended that all managers andemployers avail themselves of this technology.

Safety Bulletin No. 23 provides detailed informationconcerning all safety issues associated with manualmetal arc welding.

For further information contact Denis BrownTel: (08) 9222 3546.

JUNE 199812

Watch the night sky, even casually,for twenty minutes or so and youwill be unlucky not to see at leastone man-made satellite passingover. We are aware that longdistance telephone calls rely onsatellites, but the functions of themany thousands of others are littleknown. Twenty four of thesebelong to an American networkcalled GPS, or Ground PositioningSystem. They provide a precise, allweather, three dimensionalpositioning system for anyone whohas the appropriate piece ofequipment, and a surprisingly largenumber of people do.

Satellites orbit about the centre ofgravity of the parent body. In ourcase the satellites orbit the Earth’sCentre of Gravity.

Any position on the surface of theEarth can be defined by itsLatitude, its Longitude and itsdistance above or below a specificreference surface. In the caseunder consideration, its heightabove or below Mean Sea Level.The distance of Mean Sea Levelfrom the Earth’s Centre of Gravity is‘known’ to the satellites and theinformation provided to GPS usersreflects this.

So why say Australia is moving?Well we are actually, north-ish, atthe rate of about 3 centimetres ayear, because of continental drift.The move discussed here, however,is artificial, in that it is due to aredefinition of where Australia is inorder to comply with where theGPS says it should be. A point

AUSTRALIA IS MOVING! (OR SO IT SEEMS)

worth mentioning is that thisprocess is being implementedinternationally so as to create aglobally consistent system. To quotefrom the ICSM, (IntergovernmentalCommittee on Surveying andMapping), “The Geocentric Datumof Australia, (GDA), provides aninternationally compatiblecoordinate system for allgeographic data”. In conforming tothis system, new maps will show ourcontinent ‘moving’ approximately200 metres to the northeast. (Seeaccompanying diagram).

Some people may well ask, “Whyraise this issue in a publicationdevoted to safety on mines?” It isno secret that our State is pockmarked with old mine shafts. Adisplacement of 200 metres or so isenough to cause problems if youwish either to avoid an old shaft orto find it. With some modelscosting as little as $350, the ‘hi-tech’ nature of a GPS unit is nodeterrent to its widespread use.Prospectors, drilling crews,exploration geologists, 4WDenthusiasts, station workers,bushwalkers and a host of otherpeople, now rely on these devicesto find their way.

The history of the Australian bush isstudded with stories of peopledying close to sources of help. It iseminently possible to be 200metres from a road and never knowit is there. Apart from theseapplications it is worth noting thata major mining company inWestern Australia is already

Specific provisions for biologicalmonitoring were introduced in theMines Safety and InspectionRegulations 1995 (Regulation 3.28).The new Biological MonitoringGuideline published by theDepartment of Minerals and Energyintegrates biological monitoring inthe mining industry with the HealthSurveillance Program for MineEmployees.

The present system where somemining companies conduct their

BIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF MINE EMPLOYEES

developing a driverless open pitmine which relies on GPS as aguidance system.

The principal hazard will arise ifthe information provided from thesatellites is not compatible with thegrid system on the map in thepossession of the user. GPS unitscurrently in use are calibrated forthe existing grid. The positionsthey now give will be different fromGDA based ones. Owners of GPSunits should check their instructionmanuals or contact the supplierregarding recalibration of theirinstruments. The bottom line is thatnobody in the mining industry canremain safely in ignorance of thisdevelopment. Implementation isplanned to occur during the year2000, with completion projectedfor 01-01-2001.

For further information contactPatrick Burke Tel: (08) 9222 3264.

biological monitoring through theDepartment, with the cost of theanalysis paid for by the State orCommonwealth Governments,while others conduct monitoringindependently of the Department isbeing replaced.

In accordance with Regulation3.28, all mining companies arerequired to conduct biologicalmonitoring for employees exposedto lead, mercury, arsenic andthallium, or for other contaminants

as directed by the State MiningEngineer. Biological monitoring isrequired to be conducted inaccordance with the guideline,with respect to sampling methodsand frequencies, with the resultssubmitted to the State MiningEngineer via the BiologicalMonitoring Result forms.

For further information contactDr Brian Galton-FenziTel: (08) 9222 3650.

JUNE 1998 13

1998 SURF ACE EMERGENCY RESPONSEMINE RESCUE COMPETITION

KCGM mine rescue team Trail Blazers, recentlywon the 1998 Surface Emergency Response MineRescue competition held at KCGM’s Mt Percy Milland Hannans North Tourist Mine on 2 - 3 May 1998.

The Trail Blazers Team won the Haz-Chem, RopeRescue, Team Skills, Theory, First Aid and bestteam sections. Jayson Bebek, the captain of TrailBlazers won the best captain award for thecompetition. Craig Patu, captain of KCGM’ssecond team Gold Diggers was runner up in thebest captain award.

KCGM Head of Mine Rescue RodneyGoldsworthy said the results from both teams werean excellent achievement and a reward for all thetime, effort and hard work each team memberput in during the weeks leading up to thecompetition. A majority of the training wasperformed after work in their own time.

The top five placing’s for the competition were:First – Trail Blazers, second – Pannawonica, third –Yilgarn Star, fourth – Kundana, and fifth – Gold Diggers.

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Bruce Anderson and Jamie WrideAWP Fortnum — Tea for Two

WMC Fatalitites Taskforce

JUNE 199814

MINE SEISMICITY AND ROCKBURSTRISK MANAGEMENT INUNDERGROUND MINES – PART II

Perth, 3-4 September 1998

Follows on from the Part Iworkshop held 30-31 March 1998.

The workshop will present thetechnical issues involved indesigning, installing, monitoring,transferring and interpreting thedata from currently availablesystems.

ROCK SLOPE DAMAGE CONTROL(BLASTING)

Perth, 30 September to 2 October1998

Examines the mechanisms of rockbreakage that are operating withina blast and considers means ofminimising wall damage adjacentto the blast. The influence ofgeological structure andapplication of field control toverify the application of designparameters are detailed, andcommon techniques of wallcontrol are covered.

EXCAVATION ENGINEERING FORUNDERGROUND MINES

Perth, 15-16 October 1998

Structured to provide a mix of thetheoretical and practical aspectsinherent in safe and efficientunderground excavation practice.Involves assessment ofunderground mining methods andgeomechanics, fundamentals ofrock mechanics, methods of stressanalysis, excavation design,excavation support, and blastingunderground.

WHAT’S ON

AustralianCentre forGeomechanics

THE AUSTRALIAN CENTRE FOR WORK SAFETY

Distance education materials are now available which allow students whohave gained Certificates 3 and 4 of the ANTA national curriculum inoccupational health and safety to complete the national diploma inoccupational health and safety. Some students may be able to gain entrythrough recognition of prior learning (RPL). The materials consist of fivemodules:

• Risk Management • Safety Engineering• Research Profile • Safety Programs• Work Placement

Contact: Roy Hegney

Tel: (08) 9267 7353Fax: (08) 9267 7356Email: [email protected]

MINESAFE International

COMBINING OUR RESOURCES FOR IMPROVING SAFETY AND HEALTH IN THE

INTERNATIONAL MINING WORKFORCE

Sun City, South Africa, 28 September to 2 October 1998.

The first ever joint collaboration on mining occupational health and safety.

Sponsored by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia,the Chamber of Mines of South Africa and the Governments of bothWestern Australia and the Republic of South Africa.

Full details are available on the Internet.

Contact: Dr Mike GouwsChamber of Mines of South Africa

Fax: 27 11 498 7429E-mail: [email protected]: http://www.mining.co.za/minesafe.htm

In response to a request madeduring the public forums of theMining Fatality Inquiry held latelast year, MOSHAB will conductits next meeting in Kalgoorlie on5 August. The implementation ofthe Priority 1recommendations willbe announced at this meeting.

MINING FATALITIES T ASKFORCE

On 6 August the Mining FatalitiesTaskforce, which conducted theinquiry, will hold the six-monthfollow-up open forum to report onthe Recommendations of the reportand the progress of theirimplementation.

For further information contactTracy Long Tel: (08) 9222 3129

JUNE 1998 15

STAFF CHANGESWelcome to Bjorn Gillgrenwho has been appointed to thenewly created position ofAssistant General Manager(Occupational Health andEngineering Safety).

Welcome also to two morerecruits from South Africa,Marius Hanekom andRod Young who have beenappointed as District MiningEngineers (Kalgoorlie).

Congratulations to Peter Caponon his appointment as DistrictMining Engineer (Kalgoorlie)and to Gary Hussey on hisappointment as SeniorOccupational Safety and HealthInspector (Collie).

Best wishes to Greg Hewsonwho has resigned from theDepartment after 12 years asPrincipal Scientific Officer totake up a position with WMC inBrisbane.

MOD PublicationsSafety Bulletin 37:Shiftwork and Rostering Practice – March 1998

Safety Bulletin 38:Use of Remotely Controlled Mobile Plant inUnderground Mines – May 1998

Safety Bulletin 39:Vertical Opening Development in UndergroundMines (Rise Development) – May 1998

Safety Bulletin 40:Induction, Training and Assessment of theCompetency of Employees in the Mining Industry –May 1998

Significant Incident Report 92:RC Drill Rig 3” Sample Hose Connection: SeriousAccident – February 1998

Significant Incident Report 93:Ventilation Doors: Fatal Accident – May 1998

OHS Workbooks

This series of twenty-four workbooks will helpstudents and those with an interest in improving theirknowledge of OHS issues. The books are availableindividually or in packs. The publications are basedon an OHS module of the national curriculum forCertificates 3,4, and Diploma.

For further information contact: Training Publications:Prospect Place, West Perth

Tel: (08) 9227 3360 Fax: (08) 9457 6487

FACT SHEETS FOR SHIFTWORKERS (MARCSTA)

For further information Tel: (08) 9313 5466

NEW PUBLICA TIONS

The continuing reduction in the total number of losttime injuries in the Western Australian mining industryover the last decade and the consequent improvementin the lost time injury frequency rate for most miningoperations has eroded the importance of injurystatistics as a measure of safety and healthperformance in the industry.

The industry has long realised that injury statistics areat best only a rule of thumb indicator of injury trendsand provide no meaningful direction for theimplementation of positive initiatives for theelimination of circumstances and behaviour that resultin workplace injuries.

GUIDE TO POSITIVE PERFORMANCEINDEXING NOW A VAILABLE

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s OccupationalHealth and Safety Committee decided in early 1997 todevelop a guideline that would assist in theidentification of the major factors which, if addressedon a systematic basis, would facilitate a positiveperformance culture on mine sites.

The guideline will not cure all safety and healthproblems in the mining industry but can be used as aresource to implement a pro-active managementculture – a culture of prevention requiring theinvolvement of the total workforce.

This guideline developed by the industry for the industryis now available from the Chamber of Minerals and EnergyTel: (08) 9325 2955.

Rod Young

Marius Hanekom

Bjorn Gillgren

INCIDENT ALER TThe front tyre (No 1 position underthe cab) of a scraper blew out asthe scraper was returning to the pitafter dumping its load. A large flapof tyre smashed the mudguard outof the way then struck the rear ofthe operator’s cab which resulted inbent window frames and ashattered window. It also struckthe operator on the neck and backcausing him to lose consciousness.The scraper then hit the windrowand rode along it for 20 metresbefore going over the windrow andcoming to rest on the other side.

Suffering from severe lacerationsand bruising the operator was taken

by ambulance to hospital where heunderwent surgery to remove aruptured spleen.

The cause of the blow out isundetermined at this stage; the tyrewas 40% worn, the scraper’s speedwas approximately 40km/h, theweather was fine and the roadconditions were good.

COMMENTS AND REMEDIAL ACTION

Several similar incidents haveoccurred in the past some resultingin injuries to scraper operators.The State Mining Engineer wasconcerned enough in March 1991toissue Significant Incident Report No21 “Operator Safety - EarthmovingScrapers”. The comments andremedial action recommended fromthat report are still relevant andhave been reproduced below.

All operating earthmoving scrapersshould be surveyed to assess thesafety of operators should a tyrefailure of this type occur. If thesurvey shows a potential hazardthen it is recommended that thescraper is fitted with some form ofprotection, such as a grid over therear window. At least one supplierof earthmoving equipment offers aprotection grid, for scrapers, as anoptional extra.

In order to protect the operator thegrid should be designed,constructed and installed in amanner that will function as a

deflecting and yielding structurewhich will prevent any part of therubber tyre from striking the cabrear window.

Prior to the attachment of any gridto the cab, it is recommended thatthe vehicle dealer/manufacturer beconsulted to ensure that theintegrity of the ROPS is notweakened and /or its certificationrevoked.

Furthermore, the grid should notsignificantly restrict the operator’srear view and it should allow forready access to the window forcleaning purposes.

Damaged Operator’s Cabin

Shredded Tyre

JUNE 199816