Safe To Work November 2021

THE FIRST PRIORITY FOR AUSTRALIA’S MINING INDUSTRY

ISSUE 16 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Effective communication A foundation of safety

OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNERS

Mining equipment

Risk management

Health & wellbeing

Materials handling

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Comment Staying connected benefits mental health THE RESOURCES SECTOR RELIES ON STAYING DIGITALLY CONNECTED WITH MANY OF THE BENEFITS RELATED TO WORKER SAFETY. MICHAEL PHILIPPS

PUBLISHER CHRISTINE CLANCY MANAGING EDITOR BEN CREAGH Tel: (03) 9690 8766 Email: ben.creagh@primecreative.com.au EDITOR MICHAEL PHILIPPS Tel: 0439 341 033 Email: michael.philipps@primecreative.com.au

D

igital transformation is driving the need for high-speed and reliable broadband connectivity to support applications such as video conferencing, remote production operations and real-time data analytics.

To enable the adoption of autonomous operations and the realisation of a smart mine, the availability of enhanced connectivity is critical.

The rise of automation in the workplace has reduced the risk to those working physically on site, while remote operations mean people don’t even have to be at a mine to perform their duties and are kept away from potential hazards.

Removing employees from high-risk situations is the best form of safety. However, staying connected means more than keeping production up and maintaining smooth operations.

With many mine sites located in remote locations, it is crucial for workers to feel connected to their families and friends.

A strong internet connection

JOURNALISTS TOM PARKER Tel: (03) 9690 8766 Email: tom.parker@primecreative.com.au CLIENT SUCCESS MANAGER JANINE CLEMENTS Tel: (02) 9439 7227 Email: janine.clements@primecreative.com.au SALES MANAGER JONATHAN DUCKETT Mob: 0498 091 027 Email: jonathan.duckett@primecreative.com.au

allows workers to digitally communicate with their loved ones via social media. It means employees can relax during their downtime on site by streaming their favourite television shows or online gaming.

In this edition, fibre and network solutions provider Vocus gives examples of how it continues to connect Australia’s mining industry, while the sector manages a global pandemic.

In August, the company announced it will deliver a new Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore cable (DJSC), a $500 million system of high-capacity cables to enhance connectivity to the Pilbara region.

This followed its announcement of Project Horizon in May, which will deliver fibre infrastructure from Geraldton to Port Hedland, and then on to Singapore via the Darwin-JakartaSingapore Cable.

Sepura has launched AutoMate, an application set to improve both operational performance and staff safety at mining sites. By enabling TETRA radio automation through

DESIGN PRODUCTION MANAGER Michelle Weston ART DIRECTOR Blake Storey GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Kerry Pert, Aisling McComiskey SUBSCRIPTION RATES Australia (surface mail) $140.00 (incl GST) New Zealand A$148.00 Overseas A$156.00 For subscriptions enquiries please call 03 9690 8766

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 3 NOV-DEC 2021

geofencing and situational triggers, AutoMate is functional, fast and efficient, optimising communication and data sharing between control-room staff and those in the field.

It is one of the many reasons SIMEC Mining turned to Sepura to optimise communication and safety at its South Australia iron ore operations. These projects are helping the mining sector stay connected, and through that, are keeping workers safe.

Michael Philipps Editor

FRONT COVER Image: Vocus Group.

PRIME CREATIVE MEDIA 11-15 Buckhurst St South Melbourne, VIC 3205 Australia www.primecreative.com.au © Copyright Prime Creative Media, 2016 All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written permission of the p ­ ublisher.

In this issue Features

20

20 Taking confined spaces training deeper

Liebherr finds practical solutions to emergency training

24 Mining’s hidden ticket to diversification

MineARC’s EnviroLAV – a safe, durable and functional option

28 How to treat wastewater

40 Protection and environmental

50 Conveyor safety vigilance

Advanced Enviro Septic saves industry time and money

SHOWA Group gloves don’t compromise on hand protection

Diacon Australia believes conveyor safety awareness is sky high

32 Slide Sledge improves

42 Automating fatigue risk

52 Conquering one of mining’s

Turning dangerous, time-consuming repairs into a one-tool job

FatigueTech makes using a fatigue risk management system easy

Muster continues to redefine its product and the industry

34 Makita: the power tool

44 Fire Forensics defeats

54 Safety the key to Pike

Manufacturer redefines power-tool safety and performance

Saving lives and money with regular system maintenance

The complex challenges of one of the biggest mine recoveries

36 Mining’s best gloves –

46 Sepura optimises

57 Containing COVID-19 spread

The Glove Company develops gloves to withstand mining rigours

SIMEC Mining revamps radio communication and safety

What happens when a global pandemic threatens rescue contests?

38 Blackwoods the right

48 Vocus helps workers stay

60 Prospect Awards exhibit

Remote operations drive high demand for communications

The first set of finalists named for the awards night

on site

safety and efficiency

vanguards

hands down

choice for PPE

Technical experts build customised safety solutions

preservation

a success story

management systems

biggest dangers

electrical fires

River recovery

communication and safety

at rescue events

connected

mining’s best

52

44

REGULARS

3 COMMENT

6 NEWS

18 PRODUCTS

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 4 NOV-DEC 2021

62 EVENTS

News Miners push for fully vaccinated workforces Three of Australia’s biggest mining companies have enforced mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations after the Western Australian Government put in place its own state-wide policy.

BHP employees will need to be fully vaccinated by January 31, 2022, before they can work for the company, while Mineral Resources (MinRes) has announced that staff would need to have their first vaccination by December 1 and be fully vaccinated by January 1, 2022 (in line with the WA mandate).

In addition, Rio Tinto announced that vaccination will be a requirement for its entire WA workforce, including those who work in offices and other facilities in Perth.

In a message from MinRes managing director Chris Ellison to his workforce, the company advised its decision was in line with the WA directive and would help protect the WA community when state

The WA Government has announced mandatory vaccinations for FIFO workers.

borders begin to reopen.

The Western Australian Government announced it would make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) and other resources sector workers from December.

Mandatory first doses will be required as of December 1, with full vaccination expected of resources workers, workers in remote operations or workers in rural and remote locations

by January 1, 2022.

Rio Tinto has also announced the opening of its vaccination hub at Perth Airport, designed to provide FIFO workers in the mining industry the opportunity to easily access a COVID-19 vaccination when they arrive in Perth.

The vaccination hub will operate at Perth Airport terminals T2 and T3, and can be accessed by any FIFO worker in the resources industry.

Solutions emerge from Gregory Crinum incident The Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ) has provided recommendations to prevent incidents like what occurred at the Gregory Crinum coal mine this year from happening again.

The central Queensland mine had been progressing through re-establishment and was due to start ramping up to peak production from late-2021 when an incident involving two underground miners resulted in one loss of life and one serious injury.

It is understood the two were conducting work in a conveyor drift at the mine when

a significant fall of ground from the roof area of the drift occurred.

As the mine continues to undergo inspections, the RSHQ have offered their expertise, outlining solutions to assist underground coal mines in scrutinising or enhancing their safety protocols.

The RSHQ advise the relevant on-site representatives to review their hazard management plan.

Consideration should then be given to recommendations such as, “having sufficient geological and geotechnical information to adequately assess the requirements for the strata at your mine.

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“The design of the strata support system, based on relevant geological and geotechnical data, being implemented provides a factor of safety appropriate to the life cycle of the strata support for the excavation.”

Mines should also ensure the minimum design considerations of the support system “consider strata properties, the properties of the support system, potential failure surfaces and appropriate factors of safety.”

Strata support should align with the design specifications and be clearly outlined in the approved support plan.

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News NT urges safety reviews following crush injuries Northern Territory WorkSafe has issued its first incident information release (IIR) after three crush injuries involving machinery occurred in the territory.

In the first incident, a worker at a remote community worksite was injured operating a skid-steer loader.

A worker in the greater Darwin area suffered a serious crush injury when their arm was drawn into a conveyor belt.

The worker was operating machinery when material became wedged under a conveyor belt roller. The incident occurred as the worker attempted to remove the material from the roller

eliminate or minimise the risks, as well as discuss the hazards identified and the control measures implemented at the next team meeting.

Incident Information Releases are designed to highlight to industry that a serious incident has occurred and for workplaces undertaking similar activities to stop and review their procedures.

Northern Territory WorkSafe Work Health and Safety Assurance acting manager Bruce McKinley said IIRs were about getting information quickly to industry about an incident and designed to complement the more detailed safety alerts produced by NT WorkSafe.

which resulted in fractures to their wrist and forearm.

A third worker was seriously injured after they were knocked over by a forklift and their leg became entangled in the forklift’s wheel well, which resulted in multiple fractures to their foot.

NT WorkSafe strongly urges workplaces to undertake hazard identification, risk assessment and control (HIRAC), beginning by identifying hazards related to the use of machinery in the workplace.

It also recommends companies consider available control measures and implement those that most effectively

Major miners and OEMs unite on autonomous safety A Global Mining Guidelines Group (GMG) white paper has highlighted the importance of having a system safety approach towards autonomous mining as technological advancements continue to underwrite the resources industry.

The GMG white paper comes from a united network of representatives made up of major mining and METS companies such as BHP, Caterpillar, Komatsu and Rio Tinto.

It aims to increase awareness about the importance of having a structure and concerted strategy around safety

Autonomous safety is the focus of the white paper.

in autonomous mining.

According to GMG, system safety is critical in this ever-evolving space, where much of the responsibility lands on the shoulders of an automated machine rather than a human.

“A system safety approach provides an overview of the overall effectiveness of the safety controls that extends beyond the machines and can be a useful qualitative tool for operations when assessing the overall safety of their systems,” the white paper states.

“This type of systems approach is especially important as highly autonomous and highly integrated solutions evolve.”

The white paper provides education and context on safety management and the system safety lifecycle, the purpose and typical contents of a safety case, the significance of human-systems integration and factors that influence software safety management.

“With an ever-increasing use of technology in mining, particularly in surface mining equipment, it is important to understand the overall impact of systems implementation on safety,” project co-leader and BHP Mining Systems principal Chirag Sathe said.

“I hope the white paper helps to increase the awareness of this important emerging topic in mine safety, not only within mining companies but also for OEMs, technology developers and implementors.”

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News Fibre optic research to make resource extraction safer Curtin University researchers in Western Australia are working on technology that will improve the safety of resource extraction in the mining industry.

Based off broadband fibre optic acoustic sensing technology, Curtin will aim to produce a suite of passive and active geophysical data acquisition and analysis techniques that will evolve the mining blueprint.

If viable, the technology will not only provide mining operations a safer solution for resource extraction, but also a more affordable alternative for geophysical characterisation.

Curtin University deputy vicechancellor and research professor Chris Moran said the research project was an important step for Australia’s continued advances in technology.

extraction process altogether.

“Our Curtin team has developed, patented and commercialised a forced-oscillation stress-strain method and equipment for measuring different properties of rocks at seismic and subseismic frequencies,” Pevzner said.

“As part of this new project, we will integrate fibre optic sensing technology into our apparatus with the ultimate aim of delivering costsaving and safer resource extraction processes to Australia’s critically important resources sector.”

With the assistance of the Federal Government’s Global Innovation Linkages Program, Curtin will also work with CSIRO, Santos, Woodside and global leaders in seismology and fibre-optic sensing to create the technology.

“Despite Australia’s leading role in the deployment and application of fibre optic sensing for research, the current uptake of this technology in the Australian industry lags behind world leaders such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom,” Moran said.

“Demonstrating the benefits of fibre optic technology in Australian conditions in co-operation with our major oil and gas producers will help accelerate the uptake of this technology in the sector, as well as the wider mining and environmental monitoring industries.”

According to Curtin’s WA School of Mines professor Roman Pevzner, the technology will implement inspired geophysical procedures, rethinking and reimagining the resource

Epiroc drill rig a game changer for safety Epiroc launched its latest Boltec M10 and Boltec E10 drill rigs at MINExpo 2021, two machines set to boost rock reinforcement and safety on mine sites.

Fully mechanised rock bolting rigs for medium and large-sized tunnels, the Boltec M10 and its larger E10 counterpart are designed to increase productivity and bolt installation quality.

With self-drilling anchor bolts (SDA) and pumpable resin, the Boltec M10 and E10 performs single bolt and multi-bolt installations automatically.

Complementing the existing teleremote bolting capability, these new functions offer bolting potential during shift changes and in instances where off-board control during bolting is required.

The Epiroc Boltec M10 keeps the operator safe.

The Boltec M10 and E10 are built to be flexible. The machines can handle several different types of bolts, mesh and installation methods and have face bolting, radial and extension drilling capabilities to extend the smarts of the drill rig.

The boom bolter design ensures the operator stays at a safe distance from the machine working area during the bolting process.

Epiroc’s Boltec M10 and E10

drill rigs come with an optional battery-electric driveline, which can further benefit operator health, maintenance, ventilation and cooling.

The equipment manufacturer has also completely redesigned the operator station for the new model, setting new standards for operator safety and comfort thanks to significantly reduced noise levels, air filtration and better visibility.

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News Peak mining bodies funding to promote WA work laws The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CMEWA) will receive ongoing funding from the

The funding will help raise awareness of safety laws.

Western Australian Government to support the implementation of the state’s modernised work health and safety laws.

The organisations will receive $300,000 per annum across four years under the Work Health and Safety Implementation Peak Body Grants program.

The program was established to provide funding for peak employer and employee representative bodies to partner with the government in supporting and educating Western Australian businesses and workers about the pending changes to work health and safety laws.

AMEC and CMEWA will use the funding to run conferences and

training workshops, as well as to develop education materials and utilise social media, websites and printed publications to raise awareness in Western Australian workplaces about the new laws.

Industrial Relations Minister Stephen Dawson said the program was part of the Western Australian Government’s suite of strategies to introduce modernised work health and safety laws.

“Every person who goes to work deserves to come home safe and healthy, which is why it’s important we educate workers and employers on the requirements of the new workplace safety laws,” Dawson said.

Dyno Nobel technology improves blasting safety Dyno Nobel’s CyberDet I and BlastWeb technology aim to eliminate human presence in hazardous underground mining environments, optimising operational safety.

Mining is a journey of adapting available tools to the changes in orebodies, rock conditions and operational requirements. It is, therefore, imperative that methods and technologies constantly improve to keep up with these challenges.

Over the years, underground mining has been faced with deeper operations and lower grades. This led to increases in safety requirements, higher rock stresses and increased operational cost.

In these circumstances, it is not surprising that a lot of mines are investigating opportunities to optimise their practices to stay ahead of the curve.

As a result of this demand for improvement, new blasting technologies with a focus on safety and efficiency have evolved and helped reduce operational risk while increasing production rates.

In its pursuit to improve mining outcomes for its customers, Dyno Nobel developed the CyberDet I “wirelessthrough-the-ground” initiation solution.

The first ever underground wireless detonator blast in Western Australia was conducted at Westgold’s Big Bell mine, where 34 CyberDet I detonators were fired to produce outstanding results.

CyberDet I is taking digitalisation to the next level with future remote autonomous charging and blasting in mind. CyberDet I is a wireless initiation system that communicates through the rock strata without the use of a physical downline (harness line in the hole) or

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 12 NOV-DEC 2021

external connecting wires (lead line).

The communication is carried out using through-the-earth (TTE) signalling where encoded magnetic transmissions propagate through the rock at ultra-low frequencies.

CyberDet I allows operators to work in a safer environment during the loading process, keeping them away from open brows. The technology also facilitates operational efficiencies, allowing a shorter blast cycle, providing the potential to increase the number of tonnes mined.

This evolving technology opens new perspectives for underground mining operations. In this, CyberDet I is changing the conventional mining methods and sparking the development of several new mining techniques which would not be possible without wireless blasting technology.

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News JESI software commutes a COVID safe plan New software will enable mining workers to digitally log their journeys to and from any geographic location, improving the communication and tracking of employees in the industry.

The Resources COVID Safe Commute Plan is the brainchild of Queensland remote worker management software company JESI, created alongside METS Ignited and Microsoft Australia.

With the mining industry made up of a high percentage of fly-in fly-out (FIFO), drive-in drive-out (DIDO), or employees who work and move in remote or isolated locations, workers are constantly on the move.

It can be challenging to monitor and communicate with these workers, posing risks to safety and wellbeing,

as well as operational continuity for the resources sector.

With new integrations to come, JESI will be able to incorporate data from travel itineraries and in-vehicle monitoring systems, while users will be able to use Microsoft Teams when interacting with the software.

The Resources COVID Safe Commute Plan can also be used by mining companies as required, to provide real-time data of any potential ‘at risk’ travellers, enabling the quick identification of COVID-19 exposure sites and impacted workers.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the software had arrived at a critical time.

“As the pandemic continues,

technology like this will play an increasingly important role in monitoring and managing outbreaks to minimise disruption to people’s lives and to resources operations,” he said.

METS Ignited chief executive officer Adrian Beer echoed Macfarlane’s sentiments, applauding the innovation.

“Queensland mining equipment, technology and services (METS) companies are at the forefront of working with the resource sector across Australia and the globe,” Beer said.

“Through this JESI initiative, we can use this technology to protect the industry’s workforce and its performance from COVID-19”.

Rio Tinto and WesTrac celebrate training partnership Rio Tinto is one step closer to its autonomous goal at the GudaiDarri mine in the Pilbara following a milestone in its partnership with WesTrac at the Technology Training Centre in Collie.

The two companies have celebrated a successful first six months of a partnership that has seen more than 100 Rio Tinto employees develop skills in Automated Haulage Systems (AHS) training at the centre.

The training includes practical components for operating and using manually controlled equipment such as passenger transport vehicles within autonomous zones. Such equipment must be fitted with technology to allow safe interaction with the autonomous vehicles, ensuring all moving equipment is site aware.

Rio Tinto human resources vice president Scott Browne said the program had given Rio

Tinto team members invaluable development in AHS. “We are pleased to collaborate with WesTrac to create this specialised development program for our team members, the first of its kind at the Collie facility,” Browne said.

“Gudai-Darri will be one of the world’s most technically advanced mine sites with automation technology solutions across the value chain, so this training will be very important for our team on site.

WesTrac chief executive officer Jarvas Croome said Western Australia currently accounted for around 90 per cent of the world’s Cat autonomous haulage fleet and that is why the training centre was established in the state.

“Even with the travel restrictions in place since the centre opened last year, we’ve had a continuous flow of WA-based participants,” Croome said.

Rio Tinto human resources vice president Scott Browne and WesTrac CEO Jarvas Croome.

“Mine sites across the state are continuing to enhance their operations with autonomous equipment and that is keeping demand strong.

“We are also seeing strong demand to work with customers such as Rio Tinto to tailor training to specific needs and anticipate developing additional coursework as industry requirements continue to evolve.”

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News Whitehaven sites register injury-free milestones Whitehaven Coal has reported a positive increase across several key safety indicators as part of its 2021 sustainability report.

According to the report, Whitehaven recorded a 466 per cent increase in the number of in-field safety interactions, as well as a 63 per cent increase in the number of hazards reported across its operations.

The company’s Gunnedah coal handling and preparation plant and Rocglen site both reached the 3000-day milestone without any

lost time due to injury.

According to the report, Whitehaven’s total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR) at June 30 this year was 5.9.

“While still well below the New South Wales coal mining average of 13.41, safety outcomes in this respect were not able to be sustained compared to last year,” the company stated.

“However, we are continuing to see a decrease in TRIFR across the longer term.

“This FY21 result was primarily

Whitehaven has recorded safety improvements across its coal operations.

driven by a series of minor injuries in the second quarter of the year.

“Intervention programs to address the underlying causes included hazard identification, increase in leadership safety interactions and our movement for improvement programs to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

“Since January 2021 there has been a 12 per cent decrease in TRIFR.” Whitehaven stated it would continue to closely monitor the safety aspect of its operations in the 2022 financial year.

“In FY22, we will continue to improve our health and safety performance through increased rigour in our risk management,” Whitehaven stated.

“Relevant targets have also been incorporated into the business strategy including improving TRIFR, closing material and critical actions on time, improving in-field leadership and site interactions, and improved incident investigation transparency and learning.”

All QLD resource industries to take part in safety resets Resource workers across Queensland have been participating in site safety resets as the end of 2022 nears.

The safety reset was developed in consultation with stakeholders from across the Queensland resources sector, including operators, trade and industry associations, peak bodies and unions.

As part of the program, every Queensland miner is required to attend a safety briefing focussed on the risks at their mine site.

The safety reset will include all resources industries for the first time,

in addition to mining and quarrying.

This includes the petroleum, gas and explosives sectors.

Queensland Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said the resets are an integral part of keeping the sector safe.

“The most important thing to come out of any Queensland work site at the end of the day is our workers,” he said.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is focussed on the safety of workers in the resources sector and why safety resets like this are so important.

“Even though the rates of serious incidents are going down across our

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 16 NOV-DEC 2021

industries, we can’t be complacent about safety – it’s simply not an option.”

Stewart called on industry leaders to ensure the health and safety of their workers remains their number one priority, with a focus on preventing serious injuries and fatalities, and reporting incidents without fear of reprisal.

He said safety in the resources industry is everyone’s responsibility.

“Industry, union, workers, and government all play their part in making sure every worker returns home safely after every shift,” Stewart said.

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Products ALEMLUBE HOSE REELS PRESENT A SAFER OPTION Alemlube has launched its HR90000 series, providing a more durable and functional hose reel for mine sites.

Designed and manufactured with an extremely sturdy and practical drum, Alemlube’s latest range has been built with strength and stability in mind.

Stiffening ribs allow for product longevity while flanged edges consolidate the sturdiness and versatility of the hose reel.

Safety is a big consideration when it comes to Alemlube’s EL series.

Each reel features a protective outer shroud reducing accidental injury, while 50 per cent less rewind speed facilitates greater control and enhances hose longevity.

An innovative latching solution enables the hose to be stopped in multiple positions as required while effortless, smooth hose extraction and retrieval further improves ease of operation and operator safety.

• alemlube.com.au

KOMET: THE COST-EFFECTIVE EYE SAFETY SOLUTION Komet is a unisex addition to the Bollé Safety polarised collection, offering customers a more cost-effective eye-safety solution, without compromising on quality or effectiveness.

The solution maintains many of the features of its more premium siblings and is consistent with the design of the range. Its ultra wrap-around design offers a high level of protection and comfort to the wearer and provides a stylish appearance, for which Bollé Safety eyewear is well known.

As Komet does not have any metal parts or screws, it is ideal for electrical environments, but the polarised lenses make it perfect for a variety of outdoor work where reflected glare is an issue.

As with all Bollé Safety products, Komet has been tested and approved to AS/NZS 1337.1.2010 for medium impact protection.

• bollesafety.com.au

MIDECO SOLVES INDOOR DUST PROBLEMS Introducing the Bat Vent, a revolutionary technology that protects workers who might not realise they are indirectly exposed to harmful dust.

Seven decades. That’s how long Mideco’s industrial dust collection solutions have been protecting workers and equipment against airborne dust.

But sadly, the battle against dust does not stop on the worksite. Airborne dust travels. It easily enters offices, cabins, control rooms and so forth, which pose health risks to everyone inside them, as well as headaches for managers trying relentlessly to keep all their personnel safe.

Mideco has the solution. The revolutionary Bat Vent prevents and minimises risks in the workplace by purifying and filtering the air that enters offices or enclosures located near plants or facilities that emit dust.

• midecohse.com

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 18 NOV-DEC 2021

ABB PROTECTS PEOPLE AND PROCESSES WITH NEOGEAR ABB has further developed its low-voltage switchgear for enhanced safety, performance and digital connectivity, while reducing its physical size by 25 per cent compared with the market average.

NeoGear is a tried and tested switchgear offering from ABB, which has now been updated to welcome the age of Industry 4.0.

The reduction in size also means a 20 per cent energy saving and 92 per cent fewer bus bar components than traditional switchgear.

The latest NeoGear update includes real-time condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, remote assistance, fault finding and data analytics capabilities.

The equipment has an arc ignition protected zone to ensure any routine maintenance workers are kept safe from one of the more serious safety incidents possible.

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POSITION PARTNERS COVERS ALL ANGLES WITH BLINDSIGHT Position Partners has started to distribute the heavy industry’s latest collision avoidance technology Blindsight across Australia and New Zealand for new developer Presien.

With 300 offices in Australia, South-East Asia and New Zealand, Position Partners was chosen by Presien to enhance access and implementation of the artificial intelligence (AI) safety system.

Blindsight uses an integrated camera and AI software to learn and understand the surroundings of heavy industry operators – in both fixed and mobile applications.

It detects people, vehicles, traffic cones and objects unique to each individual site. To identify the existence of these unique objects, the AI software receives automatic updates for constant improvement.

The system incorporates in-cab visual, auditory and vibration to alert operators.

• positionpartners.com.au

THE MAGNETO-EX ROBOT: A NEW SAFETY DEVICE ARRIVES Nexxis has revealed the Magneto-EX robot, a dexterous device that can complete area inspections in spaces where humans shouldn’t go.

With a spider-like frame and magnetic feet, the Magneto-EX is a world-first innovation, purely because of its EX rating – a certification given to devices that can be safely used in hazardous areas.

When examining mining assets for maintenance, the Magneto-EX has the versatility and fundamental mobility enabling it to acquire more extensive and accurate data.

Receiving a $675,000 grant as part of Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre’s (AMGC) Commercialisation Fund, Nexxis expects the Magneto-EX to be operating on certain sites as soon as possible, with full production to be finalised in 2022.

• nexxis.com.au

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 19 NOV-DEC 2021

Training & education

Taking confined spaces training deeper LIEBHERR-AUSTRALIA HAS LED THE WAY IN MAKING ITS WORKPLACE SAFER

BY IDENTIFYING A PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO EMERGENCY TRAINING WHILE ALSO BOOSTING CONFIDENCE AND MORALE.

L

iebherr-Australia’s fabrication department in Perth has a tough job.

Working in confined spaces, the team is assigned to conduct inspections and undertake maintenance and repairs on the company’s R 9400 and R 996 hydraulic excavators.

This can often take members of the team to mine sites around Western Australia, including Tom Price, which is one of the hottest parts of the state.

The heat from the equipment, combined with personal protection equipment and the natural warmth of the region, can make working inside the excavator booms incredibly uncomfortable.

However, there was also another significant issue with the work.

It was discovered that standard rescue plans and associated response times with confined space work inside the booms lacked efficiency, resulting in residual risk.

Liebherr-Australia fabrication team member Ben Palmer was instrumental in identifying the need for in-depth requirements regarding boom confined space preparation.

He also maintained an unwavering drive to continue to find a solution and implement new practices to better his team over a four- to five-year period.

Palmer encouraged and led the fabrication team in identifying, developing and implementing

The Liebherr-Australia Perth fabrication team.

confined space rescue plans for excavator attachments.

Due to a swift increase in workload, Palmer became increasingly concerned as the frequency and, in turn, the number of employees required to enter the booms/sticks increased, from just himself and two others to the majority of the team.

Determined to find a solution, Palmer consulted with various levels of the company and industry experts, all the while fostering an environment for solutions to be developed and implemented, while positively influencing a proactive safety culture for the fabrication department and wider Perth branch.

Fabrication supervisor Neil McHugh says discussions around the training

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 20 NOV-DEC 2021

started taking place in around 2014.

“While we had identified safety aspects, it didn’t really go deep enough to address what we were doing inside the boom,” McHugh tells Safe to Work.

“So we had to go that little bit further. Most confined spaces are like cylinders and tanks, but this was unique in the way that the internal design of the boom is structured and is inherently a lot more difficult.

“While still compliant, it just wasn’t the most ideal way of training, so we decided to find a better way.

“Finding someone who was able to see what our requirements were and address those as a training provider was quite difficult.”

The company turned to safety training specialists ERGT, located

“It is especially important to us because our workers are at the forefront of potential risk every day.” just down the road at the Incident Management Training Centre (within the Perth Safety Training Centre), which is designed to develop incident commanders and their support teams for the effective management of major incidents and emergencies.

From core safety skills to incident response and management, ERGT Australia delivers relevant, engaging training for the resources and mining industry.

The centre uses a realistic and experiential approach to training through simulations and workplace exercises.

ERGT trainer Craig Foley was approached by Liebherr-Australia to assist in developing a plan to incorporate all aspects of incident training.

“When Liebherr-Australia approached us, due to their specialised requirements, they needed to make sure we would be able to help them,” Foley says.

“Once we had a thorough discussion, we knew that we could come up with a training solution.

“So, then it was a matter of sitting down and looking at the compliance side of the training, as well as making sure we could guarantee an outcome of getting someone out if they did get trapped.”

ERGT worked with Perth’s fabrication department to understand what an emergency situation would look like and how to interact with emergency services that arrived at a potential incident.

They then applied that training to how an accident would possibly happen as part of the regular site duties.

Liebherr-Australia fabrication leading hand Tom Waters says the training allowed a greater understanding of what to do in an emergency situation.

“Once we found out the training was actually nationally accredited,

The teamwork developed has led to stronger morale at Liebherr.

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 21 NOV-DEC 2021

we thought we would get everyone involved as it would give confidence that no matter what happens on site, they are going to be able to get someone out,” Waters says.

“It also helped to make us all more confident in actually doing the job, because we knew if anything did go wrong, we had the training and the knowledge of what to do in that situation.”

Prior to this initiative being introduced, training for internal inspections and repairs were limited to industry standard, generic confined space training.

Significant inefficiencies were identified with the type of rescue equipment, suitability of practices, existing work instructions, and the

Training & education physical ability to rescue a distressed person in an emergency situation.

Liebherr-Australia regional manager Paul Hyham says the company gave its full support to the initiative and encouraged the development of the safety and rescue protocols.

“From an organisation point of view, we always talk about empowerment when it comes to safety,” he says.

“I can’t think of a better real-life example I have seen where great enthusiasm has driven such a valuable outcome.

“It is especially important to us because our workers are at the forefront of potential risk every day: they are the ones who have the experience to be able to make their jobs safer and we empower them to drive the changes they need to.

“You can talk about empowerment all day, but when you actually see an example of what our people have done to deliver an outcome from a

Inspections take place in extremely confined spaces.

A range of scenarios were included in the training.

safety perspective, this is an absolute credit to them.”

From the training courses, the fabrication team was able to develop specific rescue plans with support from ERGT and specialist rescue equipment was purchased.

Specialist training was undertaken, with refresher training every six months, including mock rescues of a dummy and a person, which resulted in finalisation of efficient and effective rescue plans for the R 9400 and R 996B excavator booms.

Liebherr-Australia senior health safety and environment advisor Shermin Sarvaryan says the training has also increased the confidence of the original equipment manufacturer’s mining partners.

“Our clients know that when our

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 22 NOV-DEC 2021

team goes out on site that they have the knowledge of what to do in an emergency situation,” Sarvaryan says.

“Knowing that when a site’s emergency response teams are going to be dealing with our employees, who have trained for this situation and understand the best practice in terms of rescue, gives them the surety that we can either conduct a safe rescue ourselves, or provide the best advice and support them if needed.

“There is also greater confidence from within the fabrication department: by increasing their ability to solve a complex problem, it not only makes our work practices safer, but provides a more professional service to our customers and further cements the team’s bond.”

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Health & wellbeing The roof of the Modular Coal-Spec can be lowered so it can be transported in low-seam mines.

Mining’s hidden ticket to increased diversification THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE AMENITIES OFTEN STANDS IN THE WAY OF FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN THE MINING INDUSTRY. ENTER MINEARC’S ENVIROLAV TOILET – A SAFE, DURABLE AND FUNCTIONAL OPTION.

F

ounded in Perth in 1999, MineARC has become a spearhead in facilitating operational safety in many different industries.

In the same year the organisation was established it developed the world’s first carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide scrubber to assist in the decontamination of air within refuge chambers.

Today, MineARC has a global footprint, with offices and manufacturing hubs in Australia, South Africa, Chile, China, Mexico, United States and Europe, and distribution extending into almost 70 countries.

One of the company’s leading innovations, the EnviroLAV toilet, facilitates improved accessibility for one of life’s inevitabilities.

Ill-maintained toilets can pose safety risks in underground mining operations, an issue that extends beyond an uninhibited stench.

Underground spaces can be contaminated if toilets haven’t been tended to and overflow, something further

exacerbated by the inherent poor air quality of these working basements.

Equally important is the wellbeing of workers, who don’t deserve the irritation of a blown underground loo.

This is where MineARC’s EnviroLAV toilet comes to the fore. The EnviroLAV can operate for extended periods of time without being emptied.

“The EnviroLAV is quite a unique product in that it can remain underground for very, very long periods of time without the requirement of frequent emptying,” MineARC’s business development manager for ancillary products Shane Bushell says.

“When we say long periods of time, it can be up to 12 months in the right conditions.”

The toilet is a mainstay, constantly working and continually managing its sewerage on the go.

Bushell says the system works in such a way that it breaks down the waste on an ongoing basis. It effectively uses a combination of air and ecofriendly chemicals to create a bacterial

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 24 NOV-DEC 2021

environment underneath the toilet.

“It breaks down the waste and then the water which is flushed through is evaporated,” he says.

“It provides a very hygienic and efficient solution that can allow for much longer periods underground.”

The EnviroLAV has unique configurations tailored to hard rock environments and coal mining operations, along with different variations depending on the size of the space and needs of the client.

“In our hard rock options, we’ve got three sizes - the compact and the standard footprint, which are both a single cubicle, and then the dual toilet which gives you two cubicles,” Bushell says.

“Each of these operate in the same way. Obviously the smaller, compact design is great for small footprints – very restricted areas, and then the standard and the dual are applicable in larger areas.”

Often regarded the most dangerous of mining environments due in part to the

presence of methane gas and combustible dust, underground coal mines offer up their own hazards.

“The Coal-Spec EnviroLAV toilet is quite a unique product in that it can be utilised in an underground coal mine, and it is intrinsically safe,” Bushell says.

MineARC also provides a solution to cater for the unpredictable heights of an underground coal mine.

“We’ve got a very specific coal toilet which is called a Modular Coal-Spec and in essence what it does is allow the roof to be lowered so you can transport the unit in lowseam mines,” Bushell says.

“Then once you’ve identified where the toilet is going to be positioned, you can actually extend the roof back up – the sides effectively fold into place and you again have a solid, private, secure structure to provide the facilities underground.”

Female accessibility is an ongoing issue in the mining industry and the availability of suitable amenities can often stand in the way of female participation in the sector.

Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s 2019-20 scorecard showed women accounted for 18 per cent of the mining industry at that time – a small rise from 17 per cent in 2018-19.

Of the 19 industries represented in the report, mining employed the lowest proportion of females in 2019-20.

AusIMM’s 2021 Women in Mining Survey found that 67 per cent of female respondents rated amenities on mine sites as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ – a 7.5 per cent

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Ill-maintained toilets can pose safety risks in underground mining operations.

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Health & wellbeing

The EnviroLAV toilet can be used for up to 12 months without being emptied.

improvement from past years.

However, for women working in flyin, fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in, driveout (DIDO) mining roles, over 20 per cent say the cleanliness and hygiene of amenities is ‘occasionally’ an issue

MineARC has a global footprint, with its distribution extending into almost 70 countries.

for them; over 10 per cent say it is ‘frequently’ an issue for them.

While there’s still room for improvement for the mining industry to make a reliable and lasting case for its female accessibility and safety, Bushell says the sector is taking the issue head on.

“I deal with many different clients, with many different philosophies of how they are providing facilities and certainly there are some clients who will simply buy on an as-need basis, so as their diversity increases and they have more women underground they will then provide more EnviroLAVs to suit the purpose,” he says.

“There are other companies that have been proactive in deciding ‘if we build it, they will come’, so they’ve actually provided the facilities underground with the view that it will allow them to attract a more diverse workforce.”

Bushell says companies often understand the overarching shortfalls in

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 26 NOV-DEC 2021

female accessibility and make their case in the interview process, highlighting their efforts in providing more toilets and more hygienic options.

The EnviroLAV has established a strong reputation, but MineARC are continually improving the product to ensure it keeps up with an everevolving sector.

“It’s always evolving. The foundations of it, we’re very comfortable with, but like any product, it always changes to suit the market and to suit our clients,” Bushell says.

The EnviroLAV is made at MineARC’s Perth headquarters in Kewdale, meaning the company has proximity on its side.

“We are very close to the source as far as what the product is and how it can be improved, so we’re always looking at ways to make it more efficient and facilitate an easier workflow so there’s less downtime and shorter lead times,” Bushell says.

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40V Max Brushless 3/4” Impact Wrench • Auto Stop Reverse System provides complete control of the fastener torqueing and removal process significantly minimising the risk of objects falling from heights • Unique suppression joint reduces vibration to the battery and terminals protecting against battery terminal flog out and potential short circuiting • Powerful, well balanced and ergonomic delivering 2,050Nm nut busting torque

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Mining equipment

The simple and effective way to treat wastewater on site ADVANCED ENVIRO SEPTIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER RANDALL CRISP EXPLAINS HOW HIS COMPANY’S SOLUTIONS CAN SAVE TIME AND MONEY, WITH THE ADDITIONAL BENEFIT OF BEING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.

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eliable and efficient infrastructure at a remote mining operation is vital to the day-to-day activities of the site.

There can be a number of issues when it comes to maintaining mine site infrastructure, from the difficulty in getting service people to the operation due to the tyranny of distance or the shutdown times when a key component of the operation fails or breaks.

In many cases, simple and straightforward solutions are the best.

Advanced Enviro-Septic (AES) solutions use advanced passive technology to provide the most economical way to treat wastewater

while being environmentally friendly.

The wastewater is treated to secondary or advanced secondary standard without the use of chemicals.

Mining and resources projects are often located in remote and isolated locations where water supply can be augmented by the ability to make use of water multiple times.

The Advanced Enviro-Septic, when utilised as the passive aeration and bacterial treatment stage in a sewerage system without the need for electricity, can save considerable capital costs with little to no maintenance or running costs.

AES director and business development manager Randall Crisp says one of the issues mining

The Advanced Enviro-Septic can save considerable capital costs.

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 28 NOV-DEC 2021

companies can have in their remote camps is that they rely on electricity generated by diesel generators.

“Wastewater treatment systems that they use now are old technology non-passive systems, therefore they are dependent on consistent clean power supply,” Crisp tells Safe to Work.

“When they have issues with their electricity generation or loss of phases in their power, then that causes failings in their treatment plant.

“That can then lead to health risks because you have effluent that is not being treated, you can have overflows, you might have to fly service people out from hundreds of kilometres away.

“Whereas the advanced passive

system does not require any electricity, the only source of energy you require is if you need to pump sewerage from the camp to where you are actually doing the treatment of your wastewater or if you wanted to reuse the treated effluent.”

AES systems require no maintenance, having no mechanical devices that can break and no need to clean.

No chemical readings are needed, and there are no pumps and filters that need to be checked.

“The AES system is completely scalable” Crisp says. “We have done systems from as low as 50 litres/day to over 400,000 litres/day. It can be designed and installed in modules so that if the plant requirements increase, a new module can be added.

The beauty of the system is that it is

“The beauty of the system is that it is extremely flexible in how it can be designed. In fact, every one of our systems is unique as it is designed.” extremely flexible in how it can be designed. In fact, every one of our systems is unique as it is designed to suit the site and soil properties.”

As the effluent enters the Advanced Enviro-Septic pipe, it is cooled down to ground temperature. The patented pipe design allows maximum surface area for the growth of bacteria that treat the wastewater in both aerobic

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and anaerobic conditions.

The lighter solid particles float up to the surface as scum and the heavier ones sink to the bottom of the pipe to form sludge. These solids are held inside the pipe to prevent the clogging of the reception surface of the soil.

The treatment continues as the effluent seeps through the filtering sand surrounding the AES pipe.

Mining equipment

AES systems require no maintenance.

The treated wastewater can be collected, treated and reused, however, this will require pumps and mechanical activity and the system will not be totally passive.

When the water finally reaches the soil, it is almost completely free of contaminants. It then infiltrates the soil

The wastewater is treated without chemicals.

much more easily as it is dissipated evenly into the environment.

Crisp says the AES solutions can easily be implemented at mine sites and can also adapt to changes in the number of workers at the operation.

“When we design a system we design it for the maximum potential load,” he says.

“If the numbers at the camp reduce from 200 down to 20, the AES system won’t fail because it is not reliant on having a consistent flow of sewage into a chemical treatment plant in order to keep working properly. The large septic tank at the start of the process assists in this buffering.”

The AES system has now become the world’s most practical, economical and effective wastewater treatment system providing a clean, green sustainable alternative.

There are well over 450,000 systems in operation and is approved and operating in over 23

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 30 NOV-DEC 2021

countries around the world.

Crisp says the company has received positive feedback from customers in mining and other industries around the world.

“We have got well over 5000 domestic systems in around Australia, as well as a growing recognition and demand from national parks,” he says.

“National parks are the best example because they need to handle sudden bursts of peak demands in holidays when they could go from getting 40 visitors per day up to 440 people per day.

“The product has been available for more than 10 years in Australia and 26 years in the USA. “The AES is a practical, zero maintenance wastewater treatment system that is completely passive and can handle large variations in wastewater discharge. It uses no harsh chemicals and has a minimal carbon footprint.”

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Mining equipment

Slide Sledge improves safety and efficiency THE SLIDE SLEDGE HEAVY EQUIPMENT HAMMER TURNS DANGEROUS, TIME CONSUMING, HEAVY EQUIPMENT REPAIRS INTO A ONE-MAN, ONE-TOOL JOB.

The Slide Sledge delivers precise impact safely.

I

mproving safety is critical for mining companies. However, there is also demand for increasing productivity and maximising efficiency.

The Slide Sledge Multi-Head Hammer Repair Tool covers both requirements.

One operator can safely and easily manoeuvre the Slide Sledge into hardto-reach places, simplifying repairs while reducing effort and injury.

Securefix is the Australian distributor for Slide Sledge after its merger with Fisher Lamco in February 2020. With this merger, all Slide Sledge stock is now available in Brisbane.

The company has an extensive range of products with a national team behind it to offer technical advice and a broad distribution chain.

Securefix director Andrew Rodgers says Slide Sledge is an impact tool, but it is a single person operation for driving pins, teeth and any situation where you would use a pin or a sledgehammer.

“The concept isn’t new, but the Slide

Sledge is relatively new as it has only been well supported over the past 12 years,” he says.

“Its main purpose is to reduce injuries where a second person would get hit by the sledgehammer. With the Slide Sledge you get the same work done but using only a single person operation.”

Slide Sledge is powered by sliding the steel drive bar back and forth, allowing the operator to deliver a precise impact when and where it’s needed. This eliminates inaccurate sledgehammer swings and damage to machinery Rodgers says Slide Sledge comes in varying weights and lengths for the rods “The biggest one is probably only 1200 millimetres long and the smallest one is down to 600 millimetres to 700 millimetres long,” Rodgers says. “It is very easily transported and weighs up to 15 kilograms for the maximum weight.

“The main benefit for the Slide Sledge, apart from it being a single person tool, is that the teeth of it can be replaced, so there are about 13 different fittings for the end that can be used for different applications.”

Rodgers says feedback from the mining sector has been positive, with thousands of the Slide Sledge sold into the industry.

“From an employer’s point of view The Slide Sledge is good because it significantly reduces risk. From an employee’s point of view, if you get hit by a sledgehammer you will remember it, but with Slide Sledge all you have to do is move the pin back and forwards and the tool does the rest,” he says.

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 32 NOV-DEC 2021

The linear motion of Slide Sledge focusses power for precision impact without the worry of dangerous sledgehammer misses and glancing blows. With its power and accuracy, driving pins and other tough maintenance jobs are safer, faster and easier “It saves time and money because the work is done quicker and safer. Risk is down and everybody knows that a potential workers’ compensation claim can be debilitating,” Rodgers says.

He says Slide Sledge is the only product of its type and continues to receive significant interest from mining companies.

“We recently took an order for 13 Slide Sledges from a customer in WA and they are looking at buying more,” he says.

“They are trialling it on a mine site because mining is one of the most dangerous workplaces as far as injuries go. Some individual operators will buy one unit, while big sites will buy up to 20.”

With a massive range of Slide Sledge products, Securefix offers quick delivery and special tips made to order.

The Slide Sledge is a single-person operaton.

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It should be used as a resource for senior executives to avoid the organisational causes of accidents in industries with dangerous working conditions.

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Mining equipment

Makita: the power-tool vanguards MAKITA’S XGT 40-VOLT MAX RANGE IS REDEFINING POWER-TOOL SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE, AND HAS THE MINING INDUSTRY’S ENDORSEMENT TO PROVE THE COMPANY IS A BIG-TIME PLAYER IN AN EVER-ADVANCING SECTOR.

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sing battery power tools as a substitute for alternating current (AC) tools provides major safety assurances on mine sites, removing the workplace hazards associated with electrical leads.

Corded tools present trip hazards, entanglement risks as well as the potential for electric shocks.

Makita’s XGT 40-volt Max range provides a proven alternative to AC power tools, exemplified by its TW001GZ ¾” Drive Impact Wrench and GA013GZ 125-millimetre Angle Grinder.

The Japanese power-tool innovator is built on the back of its core philosophy of “Listen, Act & Deliver.” It’s the company’s progressive approach to development that’s seen it develop products for all settings.

“Makita’s focus is on innovation and fit-for-purpose tooling, so they are an

The TW001GZ leads the market with its unique forward and reverse auto-stop function.

Makita’s GA013GZ 125mm angle grinder is a proven player in harsh environments.

industrial-grade tool, they’re designed for harsh environments,” Makita Australia industrial business development manager Andrew Shaw says.

“The company’s vision and objective is to provide a battery-powered, cord-free, hose-free, petrol-free solution for all areas of industry because that’s the future.”

Safety is not just an obligation in Makita’s tool range, it’s a selling point, and something which underpins the company’s process from factory to site.

“Makita is designing and producing these tools with the vision of replacing existing products in the industry where there’s air-hose hazards, electricallead hazards, petrol hazards, with a product that’s an effective direct replacement,” Shaw says.

“The company incorporates a lot of unique or extra features into the manufacturing process to make the tools suitable for that kind of climate and now with this new XGT range, which stands for ‘next-generation technology’, with its 40volt system, it provides a genuine solution

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 34 NOV-DEC 2021

for heavy-industrial applications.”

The compact and ergonomic design of Makita’s TW001GZ Drive Impact Wrench is an important safety attribute, while its four-speed selection reduces unnecessary reactive force on the user.

Its rubber joint suppression also limits vibration to the battery and battery terminal, as well as the user.

The wrench’s auto-stop feature is another essential aspect, giving the user greater control of the tool.

“One of the big safety benefits of the wrench is the forward and reverse autostop features,” Makita Australia product coordinator Michael Princic says.

“In forward, it will remove the ability for the tool to overtighten a certain nut or bolt. If you overtighten, it can cause failure or undue stress to the equipment, so it eliminates that.”

A tool is arguably at its most dangerous when working in reverse – something Makita recognises with its TW001GZ Drive Impact Wrench.

“In reverse, at full power, full speed, it’s

Makita’s XGT 40-volt Max range provides a proven alternative to AC power tools.

pulling that nut or bolt straight out and it could cause the nut to fall,” Princic says.

“If you’re working at a height which is a safety issue, or if that piece of equipment, whatever you’re unfastening, is under tension or load, it could allow it to spring out or fall off as well.

“So, with the auto-stop feature, the wrench just backs it out in a controlled manner allowing it to stay in place without coming all the way out.”

Princic says Makita was the first company to market the forward and reverse auto-stop function, while the rubber joint suppression feature of the TW001GZ Drive Impact Wrench is also unique to the company.

Angle grinders are dangerous tools when not used correctly and while mining companies seek to remove all instances of injury at their operations, it is inevitable that some hiccups will occur.

Known for its safety attributes, Makita’s GA013GZ 125-millimetre Angle Grinder is a proven player in harsh environments.

The product’s Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) predicts imminent kickback and shuts the tool down any time there’s a sudden drop in wheel speed, while the electric brake rapidly slows wheel rotation upon release

Makita’s progressive development approach has seen it develop products for all settings.

of the trigger. The GA013GZ also has an anti-restart function which prevents the tool from unexpectedly starting if the battery is inserted while the trigger is depressed, and its two-stage safety paddle switch prevents the tool from being locked on for periods of time.

Makita has helped several mining organisations get the best out of their power tools while staying safe at the same time.

One of these is Paste Services International (PSI), a mining and energy services company responsible for surface and underground piping systems and engineering design.

PSI manages engineering EPC, piping systems, paste infrastructure, pump and power systems, while coordinating its projects end-to-end.

When PSI chose Makita, the company had previously been engaging with a separate power-tool manufacturer.

“Matt Bennetto (PSI managing director) has a long, successful history in mining and resources, and he came previously from another business where they were heavily integrated into mine sites activities for a lot of shutdown services,” Shaw says.

“Then when he went off to start PSI on his own, he was looking at tooling

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 35 NOV-DEC 2021

solutions and he deferred initially to the brand he was previously using.

However, through one of our dealers, they suggested (to Bennetto) that Makita might be something to look at.

“So, he came down, we had a discussion, we reviewed the safety features, the ergonomics, the backup support, the benefit of the Makita brand and, based on everything that we presented him, he said, ‘this is the brand we’re going to move forward with’.”

According to Bennetto, Makita’s tools have all the applications to be an asset in the mining sector and energy space.

“PSI selected Makita as its tool brand of choice due to the superior ergonomics and innovative safety features that are incorporated into many of its products,” Bennetto says.

“Makita is clearly committed to providing practical and versatile tooling solutions that are relevant to our industry and we are confident that they are the right brand to partner with as we grow our business.”

Makita’s XGT range is proven in its safety, has the endorsement to show its mining expertise, while its 40volt capability enhances the product even further from a performance standpoint.

PPE

Mining’s best gloves – hands down ORANGE IS A POWERFUL BRIGHT COLOUR OFTEN USED TO INDICATE SAFETY HAZARDS. THAT’S WHY THE GLOVE COMPANY HAS DEVELOPED ITS HI-VIS ORANGE NITRILE DISPOSABLE GLOVES TO WITHSTAND THE RIGOURS OF THE MINING INDUSTRY.

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orking in the mining sector is often handson with the potential for serious injury without proper safety equipment.

Moving parts also increase risks despite tight health and safety regulations. It is therefore essential to protect one of a worker’s most important assets – their hands.

The Glove Company designs and manufactures high-quality gloves and is one of the few manufacturers and distributors whose gloves have been independently tested and accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities.

The company was also one of the first manufacturers to bring Hi-Vis Orange Nitrile Disposable Gloves to Australia. The TGC Orange Gloves have undergone an additional surface modification on the inside of the glove, allowing it to adapt to the user’s pH level, thus reducing the amount of excess sweating.

Hi-Vis Orange Nitrile Disposable Gloves are now available in Australia.

This means the gloves are comfortable in hot conditions, and the wearer is more likely to wear the glove and wear it for longer periods.

The Glove Company’s national sales manager Ben Kessey says the colour orange is synonymous with safety – the number-one priority for mine workers.

“Safety managers can easily tell if relevant staff that are meant to be wearing gloves are actually wearing them,” Kessey says. “Because the gloves are known for their high chemical and puncture resistance, a lot of organisations will tell their staff if they have to do a task involving a particular chemical or solvent that they need to be wearing the orange gloves.”

Nitrile disposable gloves can be used in almost any industry, with few to nil allergy issues and with certain styles about the same cost as latex gloves, there is no real downside.

Kessey says nitrile has the lowest allergy rate of any glove material on the market.

“A lot of employees out there have allergies to latex and they don’t have that with nitrile, so the gloves have an extremely low allergy rate,” Kessey says.

“Nitrile is a synthetic copolymer, formed through acrylonitrile and butadiene combining – this process makes the material stronger and more resistant to hazards than traditional latex.

“Because our TGC Nitrile disposable gloves also feature low-sweat technology it means that inside the

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gloves the hands don’t get quite as sweaty, so they are more comfortable and the glove will last longer. The inside of the glove is modified so it doesn’t react to the skin as much, meaning it doesn’t force the hand to sweat as much.”

The Glove Company produces the only Hi-Vis orange disposable glove certified for NATO use by the defence forces and aviation industry. The gloves feature a high-impact orange visual contrast surface, making it is easy to detect hazardous contaminants and prevent cross-contamination.

“One of the other benefits is when you are working with expensive machinery and you accidently drop the glove, it is easier to find if it is bright orange,” Kessey says. “You don’t want to be leaving a nitrile glove inside an expensive engine when they fire up.”

Kessey says the gloves are perfect for high-risk industries where it is easy to see if they have torn or fallen off, causing contamination to the environment, such as maintenance on machinery and inside of engines.

“Hand injuries make up a substantial amount of occupational health and safety claims from employees on mine sites. That is why there are so many variants of gloves on the market these days,” Kessey says.

“It is also very important to make sure that whatever glove an employee is using is for the right purpose as there is no one glove that will cover every task.”

2021

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PPE

Making the right PPE choice with Blackwoods BLACKWOODS’ TEAM OF TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS EXPERTS ASSIST THE COMPANY’S INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO BUILD CUSTOMISED SAFETY SOLUTIONS FOR THE MINING AND RESOURCES SECTOR.

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ersonal protection equipment (PPE) is the frontline defence when it comes to keeping a worker safe from the dangers of chemicals.

With most industries often using a range of chemicals, it is critical that workers are issued with suitable PPE that will provide the highest level of safety within their work environment.

Protection from harmful chemicals and substances requires a complete head-to-toe solution.

Blackwoods is committed to maintaining its place as Australia’s first choice for industrial and safety products and services by continually maintaining and improving the quality of its processes and products.

The company offers a vast range of PPE to ensure that its products and services meet the relevant legislative and industry-based requirements, and comply with recognised local and international standards.

PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR’S IMPORTANCE The correct eyewear can prevent harmful chemicals from making contact with a worker’s eye. However, the major reason eyewear is removed is due to the glasses fogging or getting scratched.

To help prevent this risk, employers should protect their workers with the appropriate safety eyewear, containing lenses that have been treated with an effective anti-fog or anti-scratch coating.

“Anyone familiar with the European

Protective coveralls undergo rigorous testing.

Standards would know of K and N labels and their meaning,” Blackwoods product development manager Nic Williams tells Safe to Work.

“K relates to surface resistance from small particles, while N is resistance to lens fogging in humid environments, including those with persistent condensation. The new PROSAFE KOORBAT and KOWAR styles meet the K and N testing requirements.”

Both PROSAFE styles contain a premium anti-fog and anti-scratch coating in both clear and smoke lenses.

This coating is applied in a proprietary dipping process and then heat-treated to permanently bond to the lens.

Using safety glasses with effective coatings helps safeguard workers

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to enable them to see clearly for long periods, allowing them to stay safe and more productive in most environmental conditions.

THE NEED FOR COVERALLS Blackwoods technical safety specialist Drew Dauncey says there are various types of coveralls to protect workers from a broad range of chemicals.

“Most workers will never need to look further than a type 5/6 coverall, to protect them from dry chemical powder and liquid droplets,” Dauncey says.

“The best way to ensure the correct coverall is selected is to compare the chemicals being used against a coverall permeation guide.

“No two workplaces are the same

“No two workplaces are the same so it’s best to engage with a safety specialist to ensure that the appropriate protective coverall is identified.” so it’s best to engage with a safety specialist to ensure that the appropriate protective coverall is identified.

“We can do the analysis of the chemicals being used with the coverall permeation data to select the correct coverall.”

Protective coveralls undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they provide the correct level of protection.

Different chemicals will break through the coverall at different times so it’s important to understand the permeation data and how they interact with specific environmental conditions.

“It’s the very reason why many coveralls are disposable and should be replenished frequently,” Dauncey says.

“While there’s a lot of permeation data available, at the base level employers should familiarise themselves with the EN standards

and types for guidance.

“When selecting a chemical coverall for your workplace, ensure they have the EN standards marked on the garment. For example, a type 5/6 should display the pictograms for particles and liquid droplets along with EN 13034 and EN 13982.

“Some, but not all coveralls, will have antistatic properties so it’s imperative that you check for the ‘lightning bolt’ pictogram, if you work in a hazardous electrical environment.”

RESPIRATOR FILTERS ENSURE SAFE ENVIRONMENTS In the workplace, there are many airborne hazards which can enter via the respiratory system and pose a significant risk to worker’s safety and health. Some of these are potentially fatal or can lead to illness and disease.

Coveralls can protect workers from chemical spills.

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Blackwoods offers a vast range of PPE.

Occupational lung diseases are caused by exposure to hazardous dusts and/or chemicals in the workplace.

Contaminants include silica dust, concrete particulates, various fumes and vapours, pesticides and fuels. Industries where there is a risk include manufacturing, construction, engineering, agriculture, transport and storage.

The initial selection of any respirator and filter needs to be conducted by someone with a full knowledge of respiratory hazards in the workplace.

The correct fitting and wearing of a respirator are essential as one size does not fit all.

The team at Blackwoods can help companies find the best fit for the right workplace. This includes particulate filters, gas and vapour filters or combination filters.

Blackwoods’ team of technical experts are also able to build customised solutions for any business in a range of areas.

Over the past 140 years, the company has grown from a small marine supply business to Australia’s largest provider of industrial and safety supplies, with a range of more than 300,000 products from the world’s best brands.

PPE With its EBT range, SHOWA delivers an industry-first biodegradable product.

Certifying hand protection and environmental preservation SHOWA GROUP’S ECO BEST TECHNOLOGY BIODEGRADABLE NITRILE GLOVES DON’T COMPROMISE ON HAND PROTECTION AND PERFORMANCE, PROVIDING A TRUSTED AND ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY OPTION FOR MINING OPERATIONS.

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and injuries are one of the biggest safety concerns in the mining industry, with finger fractures, lacerations and crush injuries just a few of the common occurrences in the sector.

Hands are also complex body parts and often don’t recover the same or perform as well following a serious injury.

This is where SHOWA Group comes into the picture.

With 58 patents to its name and more than 100 researchers and developers advancing the company’s vision for innovation and environmental

preservation, SHOWA is an industry leader in hand protection.

SHOWA manufactures gloves for many different industries and purposes, and it’s the company’s Eco Best Technology (EBT) nitrile range that is proving to be a sturdy environmental asset for industrial operations.

Biodegradable and made from organic materials, SHOWA’s EBT gloves create less of a footprint after-use – something which SHOWA research and development (R&D) manager Brian Moseley says is a critical feature.

“The beauty of the product is that the

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lifespan once it enters into a landfill is much shorter than a typical nitrile glove,” Moseley says.

“The benefit of that is that it’s good for the environment but in addition to that, the end user, whether it’s mining, whether it’s food, whether it’s chemical manufacturing, doesn’t lose any protection – they get the same type of protection as they would from a typical nitrile glove.

“So instead of being industry specific, it works the same as nitrile across the board, but really gives you a good disposable plan and is good for the

environment on that back-end after its useful life is up.”

Nitrile gloves are known for being robust, and perform well in abrasive conditions and in chemicals.

However, they aren’t known for being well decomposed.

With its EBT range, it was SHOWA’s mission to turn the table and create a product that would deliver positive environmental benefits.

“We chose biodegradation because we can keep our carbon footprint as it is if not lower … and customers know their waste is going into the landfill and that’s when the EBT process starts, when it enters an active landfill,” Moseley says.

Biodegradation is by definition the naturally-occurring breakdown of materials through micro-organisms whereby the end components are reintegrated into the earth and are useable again.

Next to composting, achieving biodegradation is one of the keen pursuits of the modern sustainable world.

For SHOWA, developing its desired EBT product wasn’t easy, and took an extended process of trial and error.

“Like with any R&D product, it (the EBT glove) went through a lot of iterations and we had to design it around a lot of protocols,” Moseley says.

“When you’re the first to market, a lot of times you’re having to define some of these things. And Showa was the first to market on this type of technology.

“So we looked at the different tests out there, we looked at the different claims and we looked at the different waste cycles and the waste streams that people were having to do, and we designed something that would be easy for the customer.”

SHOWA then looked at the current nitrile options on the market and narrowed its gaze from there.

Moseley says the company decided it needed to develop a glove superior to a regular nitrile glove.

SHOWA is an industry leader in hand protection with 58 patents to its name.

“A regular nitrile glove, it can stay decades and decades, if not hundreds of years, in landfill and essentially be almost inert, and that’s where we wanted to improve,” Moseley says.

While achieving biodegradation was a quintessential goal in the creation of SHOWA’s EBT gloves, the company knew it couldn’t afford to lose out on performance.

“When we were designing EBT in the R&D lab, the first thing we talked about was we wanted a product that would be a really good green product for the environment – that was one of our goals,” Moseley says.

“Along with creating a really good green product for the environment, we also wanted a glove that did not sacrifice performance.

“So, we set it upon ourselves that we had to hit both of those goals or the project would die and so, yeah it’s great to come out with a green product, but if we sacrifice customer protection, I don’t feel like we’ve won.”

SHOWA’s EBT range spans several different variations starting with its fourmil (0.10mm) 6110PF and 6112PF singleuse gloves, then making its way up to the 7500PF and 7502PF new disposables.

For heavier applications, SHOWA also offers its nine-mil (0.23mm) 707HVO, as well as its 15-mil (0.38mm) 728 and

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731 gloves – three reliable options when handling chemicals.

SHOWA was recognised as the first-ever glove company to achieve the GreenCircle biodegradation certificate – an endorsement of the company’s environmental capability.

But despite its success, SHOWA won’t rest on its laurels. The company will continue to add to and enhance its EBT portfolio in the future.

“You never sit, you never sit and stop.

We started with one product of course and then we’ve just been adding to that portfolio for the last several years,” Moseley says.

“That’s probably where I see most of the work going – continuing to add to that portfolio because not one glove can satisfy all means and we’ve got several products out, but we’re not there yet.

“There still needs to be different types of diversified products for different claims with this technology and I would see more additions to that portfolio coming.”

Through its unique combination of proven performance and biodegradation, SHOWA’s EBT range is protecting hands and saving the planet at the same time.

In a mining industry where hand injuries continue to be an issue and decarbonisation is the talk of the town, SHOWA’s EBT gloves could be the dream product.

Fatigue management

How to automate fatigue risk management systems FATIGUETECH IS THE EASIEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT, MONITOR AND MANAGE A WORKPLACE FATIGUE RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

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atigue presents health and safety risk to a workplace, its workers and others, and can be caused by a number of inter-related workplace and/or personal risk factors.

Workplaces with higher fatigue risk will often have factors that include, but are not limited to, shift work, extended work hours, limited breaks, job demands or adverse environmental conditions that need to be considered.

Under legislation, workplaces are required to eliminate or, where elimination is not possible, minimise the risks identified in their work activities.

However, controlling workplace factors is the only solution to managing fatigue risk because the workplace cannot control what workers do when they are not at work.

Workers are often best placed to know whether they are fatigued and play a critical role in managing workplace fatigue.

Thus, workplaces which have identified fatigue as a risk are faced with three distinct problems: training the workforce about fatigue risks factors and mitigation solutions, implementing and monitoring fatigue mitigation strategies, and engaging, and supporting workers to manage personal risk factors.

makes it easy to meet health and safety obligations and support workers with the necessary knowledge, skills and resources to: 1. MANAGE PERSONAL FATIGUE RISK FACTORS FatigueTech has adopted a stepped care model (see table, right) to help engage and support people manage their personal fatigue risk factors.

A stepped care model is a staged approach to the delivery of services comprising a hierarchy of interventions.

This ensures that employees can access the most appropriate services for their needs at any time, including the ability to step up and step down to different levels of care if their needs change.

FatigueTech Personal Risk accommodates low-risk workers all the way to workers who have had a fatiguerelated incident, or are managing severe or complex risk factors.

A low-risk worker such as an office-

based day worker that may periodically work extended hours who could access the self-help resources in the knowledge centre.

At-risk workers such as a shift workers might be required to complete online competency-based training.

Workers experiencing fatigue or wanting more personalised information could undertake the online fatigue selfassessment to guide them to self-help information in the knowledge centre.

Finally, those workers who have been identified as high fatigue risk or have had a fatigue-related incidents combine their fatigue self-assessment with a consultation with a workplace fatigue specialist to develop a personalised action plan; and if they are identified with severe or complex needs they could be referred to multidisciplinary or specialist care.

Subscribed companies can refer workers directly from the platform, which will track utilisation of the service and consultation can be FatigueTech is a digital solution that makes it easy to meet health and safety obligations.

SOLVING FATIGUE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES For workplaces that need to implement a fatigue risk management system, FatigueTech is a digital solution that

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 42 NOV-DEC 2021

done any time and in any location via the video conference function.

2. IMPLEMENT WORKPLACE FATIGUE MITIGATION STRATEGIES The FatigueTech Workplace App enables workplaces to automate the implementation and monitoring of their fatigue risk management system.

Four tools make up multiple control levels in the FatigueTech App, which are all consolidated into a supervisor kiosk that controls and monitors these tools and allows leaders to manage fatigue proactively across the business.

• WorkTime – WorkTime enables workers and managers to monitor compliance and manage overtime requests to ensure adherence to work hour requirements.

• StartFit – Completed by the workforce as part of their pre-start routine and

monitors eight personal factors that influence fitness for work and fatigue to prevent incidents and injuries.

• FatigueCheck – A point-in-time assessment to be completed by anyone experiencing fatigue, or as directed by the company procedures, to document the action they are taking to manage the risk of fatigue.

• eJMP – An electronic journey management plan (eJMP) is a

documented process for planning and undertaking road transport journeys with the goal of arriving safely.

• Supervisor kiosk – a user-friendly dashboard that enables supervisors to access and review records entered by their team to identify, assess and manage work hours, along with determining workers’ fitness for work, levels of fatigue and journey management risk, all in one place.

Mine workers are often at the wheel for long hours, leading to fatigue.

®

PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION IN ONE

Sustainability isn’t just a commitment - it’s part of SHOWA’s legacy.

Our revolutionary Eco Best Technology® (EBT) offers the solution that makes a difference to the environment, without any compromise on protection and performance.

Learn more about Eco Best Technology® www.showagroup.com/au-en/technologies/ebt-biodegradable-technology

Maintenance

If a fire is not fuel-related, it’s usually electrically related.

Defeating electrical fires with Fire Forensics FUEL-DRIVEN FIRES ARE ONE THING, ELECTRICAL FIRES ARE ANOTHER. FIRE FORENSICS SENIOR INVESTIGATOR VICKY DAYALAN EXPLAINS HOW MINING COMPANIES CAN SAVE LIVES AND MONEY WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE.

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he mining industry is inherently driven by combustible stimulants.

While electrification is the way of the future, many mining vehicles operate on diesel, while incidental inflammables are omnipresent at a mine site – minerals, expended rubber, tyres, wood, debris and more.

Fuel is one source of a mine-related

Preventing electrical fires is vital to improving worker safety and averting serious injury.

fire, but there are also electrical means associated with things like motor discharge, static electricity discharge, earthing faults or the presence of highvoltage power cables.

Fire Forensics senior investigator Vicky Dayalan tends to many electrical fires on mine sites – accidents many workers don’t anticipate.

“Electrical fires are one of the largest causes of fires on mine sites,” Dayalan says.

“If it’s not fuel-related, it’s usually electrically related. It’s usually when the equipment is being used or energised, so you might have an operator in a haul truck and sometimes there’s not even any indication on the dash – there’s no signal given to the operator that something has gone wrong and the only thing that will alert them is flames.”

With more than 40 years of experience behind the company, Fire Forensics has forged a reputation for its astute understanding of arguably the world’s most dangerous adversary.

It’s the company’s passion and obligation to arrive on site to determine how and why a blaze occurred.

Electrical fires often have common

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causes, with parts either being misused or reaching the end of their tether.

“Electrical fires are normally due to general wear-and-tear or maintenance.

Or it could be because a temporary fix has been used and so they’ve got to substitute parts when they can’t get the authorised part to use,” Dayalan says.

“If you’re using something that didn’t actually come with the equipment, technically it’s not meant to be used, and there’s a reason why - because it wasn’t designed to be used for that vehicle or equipment.”

Dayalan has seen many miningrelated electrical fires caused by loose cabling.

“We’ve investigated quite a few mine site fires, and the electrical ones are usually because wiring or cabling hasn’t been restrained properly, so it’s not actually fitting nicely. If it comes loose and then rubs onto a hose or another cable, over time that friction will obviously wear out the other cable or hose,” she says.

“That then can lead to a fluid leak or create a high-resistance pathway that causes localised heating which will then lead to ignition of the hose or the cable

which is quite dangerous. If it’s a fuel hose, the fire spreads faster. If it was another cable it would be a lot slower because it would smolder.”

Fires remain a concern for mining operations. According to 2019 data from insurance company FM Global, in the five years leading up to the report, fire accounted for 27 per cent of all losses on mine sites worldwide.

Between September 2014 and May 2017, the New South Wales Resources Regulator reported more than 200 fires on New South Wales mine sites – double the incidents that occurred between 2001 and 2008.

While these statistics look beyond just electrical fires, there’s enough merit to solidify the overarching significance of the issue.

To ensure worker safety and prevent more electrical fires occurring on mine sites, Dayalan says one ingredient is more important than all else.

“As long as they (mining operations) are doing the routine maintenance, they’re not cutting corners, they’re using appropriate things to fix any issue, or appropriate material to fix any issue, and not just putting a cable tie on something to restrain it,” she says.

“It’s mainly just maintenance. I know maintenance is a huge thing

An electrical fire typically occurs when equipment is being used or is energised.

and everyone keeps talking about it, but it’s critical.

“If there’s anything missing or you can see a bit of cabling is not restrained properly you can actually go in and quickly fix it, and that simple action can save the machine, and most of these machines are in the millions and millions of dollars.”

Mining operations should also consider completing regular risk assessments of their assets to prevent electrical fires.

Understanding potential electrical

fire scenarios, the consequences an electrical fire could impose on the operations and the real probabilities of an electrical fire happening, are safety checks mining operations should implement on a regular basis.

Mine sites comprise some of the most valuable assets in the world, and it is not just about the minerals.

Preventing electrical fires is vital to improving worker safety and averting serious injury, but also for the preservation of prized machinery and equipment.

THINK PROCESS SAFETY? Think Alemlube Fixed Plant Automatic Lubrication Systems.

Protecting valuable assets. alemlube.com.au

Communications

SIMEC Mining revamps radio communication and safety WHEN ANALOGUE RADIO SOLUTIONS WEREN’T CUTTING IT ANYMORE, SIMEC MINING TURNED TO SEPURA TO OPTIMISE COMMUNICATION AND SAFETY AT ITS SOUTH AUSTRALIA IRON ORE OPERATIONS. Sepura’s TETRA solution is known for its strong coverage and versatility.

TETRA radios provide coverage across entire mine sites.

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IMEC Mining owns and operates iron ore mines in South Australia, including the Iron Baron, Iron Knob and South Middleback Ranges sites.

These operations have a combined total output of more than 10 million tonnes of iron ore every year. The sites are mined for hematite, which is primarily exported by rail and sea, and magnetite, which is used locally within the Whyalla steelworks.

An iron ore mine is a dangerous

working environment, with a multitude of environmental and logistical challenges to overcome on site.

Large machinery dominates the sites, vehicles with limited visibility are constantly on the move and the widespread nature of the operation means staff are often working in solitude.

The extreme heat and dust can also pose difficulties on mine sites, which can also affect machinery and technical equipment on site.

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CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS REQUIREMENT Stopping production for a safety incident or other disruption has a significant impact on SIMEC’s productivity and profits.

An efficient critical communications solution is vital for worker safety and to ensure operations aren’t compromised.

SIMEC had previously used analogue radio solutions on its earlier sites, but with the re-opening of Iron Baron in 2011, the limitations of analogue were identified.

Analogue systems suffered from numerous coverage blackspots, meaning there were periods when either vehicles or individuals could not be contacted.

There were also issues with radio users talking over each other, blocked calls and no feedback as to whether a call had gone through, while the audio quality was poor.

Enhanced functionality to evolve the system was also not available.

ENTER SEPURA’S TETRA SOLUTION Investigating the options to deploy a critical communication solution, SIMEC turned to TETRA, identifying functionality that could significantly

improve safety and efficiency on site.

Achieving SIMEC’s requirement for total coverage across the site, TETRA provides superior coverage to previous analogue solutions.

It also offers the choice of mobile base stations and gateway functionality for temporary worksites or dig sites with limited potential.

The initial TETRA rollout was with Sepura’s STP and SRG terminals and the feedback has been instantly favourable, with praise for the radios’ loud audio, robust design and intuitive user interface.

Coverage is noticeably better, audio clearer and the innovation of GPS positioning meant team leaders can locate and manage their resources quickly and safely. The TETRA solution also includes emergency response capability.

Less critical conversations are not blocked as before, but queued, so information can still be relayed to critical users when possible.

The system is intended to be rolled out across entire sites. For example, the rail line and port facility could be key users on a TETRA system, giving team managers complete visibility across the site, on a unified system, where individuals or teams can always communicate with each other no matter where they’re located.

More recently, radio users from different SIMEC operations were given Sepura’s SC Series radios on a trial basis, with the goal being to further improve the operational environment through the greater functionality new terminals such as over-the-air programming (OTAP) provided.

SIMEC TAKES ON SEPURA’S SC20 AND SCG22 RADIOS Following the trial, SIMEC invested in SC20 hand portable radios for operational teams and the SCG22 mobile radios for vehicles.

With an easy clean design, the SC20

SIMEC turned to Sepura to optimise safety and efficiency at its South Australian operations.

can self-clear water and dust from speakers, ensuring reliable audio is maintained even in the site’s extreme dust environments, while the audio remains consistent in particularly noisy locations such as next to drilling equipment.

The radio’s Connector Protector capability has also been seen as a key benefit, protecting the battery connections from damage when the radio is put down in a wet or muddy location.

All radios in Sepura’s SC Series – including the SC20 and SCG22 – feature an identical user interface and functionality, meaning the risk of user error is low and training costs are minimised.

The final piece in the solution was deploying the OTAP function, enabling radios to be updated or re-programmed when in contact with the site’s approved, secure Wi-Fi network.

With OTAP, all radios can be updated as a fleet, without having to take radios or vehicles out of service. Previously, the site’s fleet of contractor vehicles had taken over two weeks to be programmed.

Updates can now be done instantly, at a set time, and then further amended as required.

BENEFITS FOR SIMEC Sepura’s TETRA solution offers SIMEC a true mission-critical solution; field

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users are always in contact with the control room, their location can be monitored via GPS, and intelligent applications like ‘man down’ can be used to raise an alarm if a lone worker is in distress.

The radios are more robust, more reliable and more powerful than the previous analogue solution, with much improved audio.

They can also, via OTAP, be more flexibly deployed according to operator demand.

Critically, the emergency broadcast function means all users can be instantly reached in an emergency, enhancing the safety of all on site.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS SIMEC is looking at creating a Wi-Fi mesh for the main areas of the site, which could connect the radios to additional data sources and allow mission-critical data to be shared across the TETRA network.

There are also options to place applications onto radios that support maintenance and operational tasks. This could include start up notifications, maintenance reminders and ensuring that safety checks have been made.

With at least another 20 years of production across SIMEC’s South Australia mines, there is significant scope to expand the solution further.

Health & wellbeing

Vocus helps remote workers stay connected WITH 30,000 KILOMETRES OF HIGH-CAPACITY TERRESTRIAL FIBRE BETWEEN ALL MAINLAND CAPITALS AND REGIONAL CENTRES IN AUSTRALIA, THE NEED FOR MINING COMPANIES TO MOVE TO REMOTE OPERATIONS HAS DRIVEN HIGH DEMAND FOR VOCUS’ SERVICES.

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he importance of staying connected cannot be understated, especially during the past two years as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced both international and interstate borders to be closed.

For those working on remote sites, a strong internet connection allows people to stay in touch with family and friends, which can be vital during long swings away.

Leading specialist fibre and network solutions provider Vocus continues to connect Australia’s mining industry.

In August, the company announced it will deliver a new Darwin-JakartaSingapore cable (DJSC), a $500 million system of high-capacity cables to enhance connectivity to the Pilbara mining region.

This followed its announcement of Project Horizon in May, which will deliver fibre infrastructure from Geraldton to Port Hedland, and then on to Singapore via the Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable.

Vocus enterprise and government chief executive Andrew Wildblood says the global COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of staying connected.

“We are all aware of the crucial role the internet plays in our business and home environments,” Wildblood says.

“But throw a global pandemic into the mix, and it’s become crystal-clear why having a stable, reliable connection in remote regions is critical to maintaining employee productivity, and also mental health and wellbeing during downtime.

“COVID-19 has been one of the most significant disruptors to business in recent memory; in order to stay safe, we’ve had to remain apart.

“For employees in the mining industry, that’s meant extended time away from their loved ones and uncertainty around travel. It can make for a lonely time, ultimately affecting workers’ mental health, particularly when working in isolated areas.”

In addition to the mental health benefits, technology and the connectivity underpinning it offers on-the-job advantages for mining employees.

Equipment such as connected helmets with augmented reality or video streaming to off-site expert assistance can enable workers to repair and upgrade systems more accurately and efficiently.

In vehicles, image recognition is enabling the detection of driver fatigue

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 48 NOV-DEC 2021

and sounding alarms when a driver closes their eyes for a longer than normal period.

With employee wellbeing in mind, Northern Minerals reached out to Vocus to explore getting one of its worksites connected.

The company’s Browns Range Pilot Plant is located in northern Western Australia, 160 kilometres to the south east of Halls Creek. Operating in such an isolated location makes attracting and retaining employees a key challenge for the business.

At Browns Range, where a small team of about 55 people are on site at any one time, the internet is their connection to the rest of the world.

In remote areas of Australia, delivering connectivity is easier said than done.

At Browns Range, telecommunications coverage is limited and hasn’t been consistent in the past, presenting challenges for Northern Minerals to improve services for employees.

Wildblood says having consistent connectivity provides a lifeline for FIFO workers and can help overcome the strains of living in a remote environment.

“Far more than just an enabler for a mine’s operational productivity,

dependable and high-speed connectivity can keep employees, particularly those in isolated locations, connect with loved ones, partners, family and friends, as well as what’s happening in the world around them,” he says.

“Mining companies building comfortable living accommodation also factor in the need for high-speed connectivity.

“It’s often said by fly-in fly-out mining employees that the two key things they look for in a prospective employer are the quality of the food and availability of entertainment, such as services like Netflix, to enjoy downtime between shifts.

“That’s why high-speed internet on-site is no longer a ‘nice to have.’ It’s an invaluable must-have for companies who want to attract top talent and look after their mental health.”

Vocus was initially recommended to Northern Minerals by the company’s IT service provider. Because of the site’s location, Vocus suggested business nbn Satellite Service (BSS) for internet access.

This service allows retail service providers like Vocus to offer regional and remote businesses outside of

Vocus continues to connect Australia’s mining industry.

nbn’s fixed line network the ability to experience business-grade network services via satellite.

During a trial period, Northern Minerals tested out the satellite solution to see how it performed against the incumbent satellite service. Right away, the benefits were clear.

“There was an immediate improvement in internet service quality at Browns Range when the nbn satellite

Northern Minerals has benefitted from Vocus’ satellite solutions.

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service came online and morale increased,” Northern Minerals chief operating officer Robin Jones says.

“Being able to keep in contact with people at home is hugely important to all employees. The ability to reliably use internet-based applications or bring your own content via streaming services makes a huge difference in a remote location like ours.

“Our employees are able to FaceTime and talk to loved ones without the service dropping out or being overloaded by volume.”

Jones says productivity had also improved on site.

“Remote systems including our data historian and accounting package work quite well over the new satellite service – it’s a significant improvement over the previous service we had,” he says.

Wildblood says as resources companies look to the future, they can now factor in reliable high-speed connectivity as a part of any plan to cater for employee wellbeing.

“And while the threat of COVID-19 will eventually pass over time, the need to be connected is here to stay,” Wildblood concludes.

Materials handling

Conveyor safety vigilance a mining success story AS DIACON AUSTRALIA CONTINUES ITS WORK WITH AUSTRALIAN MINING COMPANIES, THERE’S A POSITIVE TREND PERMEATING THROUGH THE INDUSTRY: CONVEYOR SAFETY AWARENESS IS SKY HIGH.

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hen it comes to ensuring and progressing mine safety, Diacon Australia needs no introduction.

The conveyor guard specialist has been honing its craft for more than 20 years, continually improving its product and evolving with an everadvancing sector.

One of the main purposes of a conveyor guard is to protect workers, whether it be from rogue material flying off the fast-paced machinery or to prevent employees from entering the danger zone.

As Diacon Australia managing director Brendan Refalo explains, given

their importance, it’s vital conveyor guards are practical to use.

“Diacon Australia guarding started on a coal mine in central Queensland.

It was developed due to a demand needed on site for better quality, more easily removed and replaced guards that could stand the test of time because they don’t corrode and are lightweight,” he says.

“They’re important for mines, along with many other industries as well, because they are easy to use. When the conveyor is isolated, maintenance personnel can remove and replace the guards where they are supposed to be, and then lock them in place.”

The industry has never been more vigilant in addressing conveyor safety.

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“Just the fact that they get used and they get put back properly means that they potentially save lives.”

Diacon’s product has been developed this way simply to meet the requirements of the industry. Regular customer input and feedback has been vital to how the company’s product has evolved over the years.

Conveyor injuries are an all too common cause of injury on mine sites and become a major concern for employers.

“If you have a look at the stats of injuries and the fatalities that have occurred relating to conveyors, it is significant,” Refalo says.

“There has been a huge number of people injured in conveyors and unfortunately a few deaths; the industry is dedicated to ensuring zero harm more so now than ever.

“So guarding is a vital part of striving for zero harm, and guarding to Australian Standards is even more important.

“Diacon Australia guards fit the bill and meet the practical requirements of on-site personnel. Our guards are lightweight and strong, and are designed to make removal and replacement easy.”

While conveyors have resulted in a significant number of injuries at mine sites, Refalo believes the industry has never been more vigilant in addressing the issue.

“The mining community is very conscious of making sure their conveyors are safe,” Refalo says.

“We are seeing that mining companies are regularly engaging consultants to do audits on their conveyors and the audit process obviously highlights concerns or potential risks in relation to the guarding. Once the potential risk is identified and recorded, they are vigilant about making changes to improve the guarding.”

Conveyor inspections and auditing can involve the creation of detailed reports on specific components of a conveyor or the entire conveyor system.

Problem areas are identified within the report with the required actions to follow.

Refalo cites one of Diacon’s current mining partners as an example of the industry’s advanced awareness of conveyor safety.

“We’re doing a project right now in the Bowen Basin with a company who had a comprehensive audit done on all their conveyors and their response to making sure their guarding meets Australian Standards,” Refalo continues.

Conveyor inspections and auditing can involve the creation of detailed reports.

“They have an extensive document with many hundreds of pages which gives them the guidelines as to where they need to focus their efforts. Those requirements are minor in most cases, but in some cases those requirements may mean replacing the guards on an entire conveyor which would be a substantial investment.”

The mining industry can be fickle financially with stock prices rising and falling day by day. One thing that doesn’t change however, is the sector’s commitment to preventing injury on mine sites.

“Even in times where commodity prices might be falling and when budgets get tight on sites, something Australian mining companies don’t cut back on is the continuous improvement of safety systems,” Refalo says.

An example of how the Diacon product continues to evolve to meet the needs of its clients is the current implementation of stainless steel mesh inserts into its HDPE guards to improve visibility for cleaning and inspection aspects required around troublesome

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areas, like tail ends and gravity takeup units. Diacon Australia’s current work extends from Tasmania through to the coal-rich regions of Queensland and across to the iron ore expanses of Western Australia.

Diacon also provides conveyor guarding for the ports, an essential cog in the mining supply chain and something which Refalo says is a critical part of the business.

“We’ve always had a strong association with the ports because they are always looking for improved products that don’t corrode and that don’t require painting, aspects that limit the life of equipment at the ports. If you have a product that doesn’t corrode nor requires painting then that reduces the burden on the maintenance personnel,” he says.

Earlier this year, Diacon Australia also commissioned a new, purpose-built facility in Queensland in partnership with Consolidated Engineering Plastics Products – another feather in the cap of an unwavering patron of the mining industry.

Risk management Muster fire suppression systems are used by major mining companies across Australia.

Conquering one of mining’s biggest hazards THROUGH ITS FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM, MUSTER CONTINUES TO REDEFINE ITS PRODUCT AND THE INDUSTRY AT THE SAME TIME, KEEPING MINING COMPANIES ON TRACK AND ON PACE.

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fire suppression system is up there with mining’s most important safety systems.

Fires can take hold in seconds and the source of many fires is often concealed, meaning there’s not enough time for operators to react.

This is where the Muster fire suppression system comes into its own.

Over the years, Muster has consistently evolved its fire suppression system to the point where it’s become one of the leading systems in the market. And with strong research and development (R&D) capabilities, Muster continues to adopt emerging technologies to improve the product.

The Muster fire suppression system is certified to Australian Standard AS5062-2016 and continues to be enhanced to ensure it keeps up with the industry’s advancing safety expectations and requirements.

Muster understands the speed with which fires can spread and has created a system that reacts at the first sign of a fire being detected.

Designed with intelligent sensor technology, the system includes a MusterWire linear heat detection sensor and system pressure transducer as part of the detection, monitoring and activation circuit.

This allows the system to constantly monitor critical equipment to ensure mine operators always have their assets protected from potential fires.

Since entering the fire industry, Muster from JSG Industrial Systems has consistently evolved to meet changing market demands.

So, it’s no surprise Muster was the first fire suppression provider to implement a cloud-based design program.

Its Muster360 software streamlines the process of risk assessment and creates a report for the installer and the customer for future reference.

JSG’s Muster engineering manager Sara Venu says the web-based program is one of the reasons the fire suppression system is compliant with AS5062-2016 – a provision that encourages collaboration rather than isolated analysis.

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“We tell our distributors that the AS5062-2016 certification requires all interested parties to be involved in the risk assessment process,” Venu says.

“This is important because Muster360 requires the customer to accept and approve the risk assessment and identify which areas of the machine are going to be more prone to fire and require fire suppression.”

JSG business development manager Dale Sharpe says the Muster360 software removes a lot of the paperwork from the equation.

“Apart from a fire suppression system needing to work on a physical machine, a lot of paperwork is involved in the background to ensure the system is designed, installed and serviced correctly,” Sharpe says.

“Muster360 can achieve that by taking care of the paperwork involved with the compliance of a fire system.”

Muster360 also enables operators to design fire systems for specific machines and identify the most likely causes of a fire before it happens.

The Muster fire suppression system is certified to Australian Standard AS5062-2016.

As it’s cloud-based, operators can access the information from any computer at any time.

Muster’s appetite for advancement continues with the upgrade of the system’s diagnostic module, which is sturdier than its predecessor.

“The Muster team has retained the compact design but made it more robust to withstand tough conditions on a mine site,” Venu says.

There’s also greater functionality and versatility in the revised product.

“We listened to our customers’ feedback and reflected the changes in version two of the diagnostic module, which now comes with a bigger screen, longer battery life, USB cable for charging and data transfer to a computer,” Venu adds.

The diagnostic module is important when observing viewing relay and activation delay settings, while it also assists customers with fault finding, and checking system pressure and battery capacity.

Above all, it can download event history from the alarm panel, making it much easier for technicians to find faults and conduct repair works.

“This small module can keep a record of history for up to 120 alarm panels.

Technicians can easily find out what has happened, why and where,” Venu says.

The stats don’t lie when it comes to

the severity of mobile plant fires in the Australian mining industry.

From the start of 2020 to the end of the January quarter 2021, there were 259 notified incidents of fire on mobile plant at New South Wales mine sites.

Most of the incidents occurred in surface coal operations (73 per cent), while underground metals operations (17 per cent), underground coal, surface metals and mineral sands were also prominent.

Muster fire suppression systems are used by major mining companies across Australia, made possible through JSG’s network of distribution partners, such as fire services provider Paull & Warner Resources (PWR).

It is a company like PWR that is at the coalface of the notified incidents mentioned above.

The cloud-based Muster360 software streamlines the process of risk assessment.

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PWR fire technical services manager Brad McCallum says mining companies which don’t use an effective fire suppression system like Muster might not know what’s coming.

“Miners that don’t use the Muster system may be missing out on the visibility of not only their fire systems but how their fleet is performing,” McCallum explains.

The real-time data capture that underpins Muster’s improved diagnostics module is also a huge bonus.

“If something does go wrong, such as a discharge event, the system can be interrogated at a higher level if an investigation needs to be undertaken,” McCallum says.

“It gives us the ability to have great visibility on assets and being able to look at historical information to give an accurate snapshot. We can find out why the system is discharging depending on a certain point of time.”

Fires can potentially lead to site-wide shutdowns, productivity losses and even fatalities in the most serious of cases.

The possibilities of fire should never be underestimated and the importance of a fire suppression system shouldn’t be underplayed.

With the Muster fire suppression system, mining operations can anticipate fires before they occur, and save thousands, if not millions, of dollars in the process.

Risk management

Safety the key to Pike River recovery INTERNATIONAL MINES RESCUE BODY CONFERENCE 2021 KEY SPEAKER DINGHY PATTINSON SHARES THE COMPLEX CHALLENGES OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST MINES RECOVERY EVENTS IN RECENT YEARS. The Pike River recovery involved more than 30 technical experts from around the world.

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he Pike River Coal Mine explosion in New Zealand during November 2010 claimed the lives of 29 men.

Prior to the 2017 New Zealand general election, the families of the lost miners and the nation’s public were promised that a Labour-elected government would support and fund a re-entry if it was deemed technically viable and safe to do so.

After the election, in January 2018, the Labour Party established the Pike River Recovery Agency Te Kāhui Whakamana Rua Tekau mā Iwa as a

stand-alone government department.

Dinghy Pattinson was appointed as chief operating officer of the agency in early 2018, where he has overseen the planning and operational elements of the Pike River re-entry work and has responsibility for ensuring activities at the mine comply with statutory health and safety requirements.

Pattinson says the mission of the agency was to conduct a safe, manned re-entry of the mine drift.

“The founding principles we set ourselves were that we had to have a close partnership with the families

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and bring them along on the journey with us,” Pattinson says.

“Health and safety was the first priority and we wanted to be transparent and open.”

Due to the death of the workers the New Zealand Police wanted to conduct a forensic examination of the tunnel.

To achieve that, Pattinson says the police deemed the mine site to be a crime scene and they were carrying out an investigation.

“Early on in the planning (police) decided they were not going to go underground and they would train

us up – all of our workers and all of our staff – in how to do forensic examinations,” he says.

“Everybody agreed it was easier to train us up in forensics than to train the New Zealand Police to become miners.

“So we took photographs, we bagged and tagged any evidence, just like any normal crime scene.”

Pattinson says he wanted the right culture within the agency as the mine was out of compliance. The operation was also expected to come under high scrutiny from the media, New Zealand regulators and environmental agencies as the whole mine is situated on a national park.

“We also knew we would come under real scrutiny from the families because there was a real trust issue here with all the previous companies who failed to re-enter the mine. The weather was also going to be a big battle for us,” he says.

“The mine had been sealed for 10 years so no one knew what condition the mine was in.”

Pike River mine is 46 kilometres north-northeast of Greymouth in the West Coast region of New Zealand’s South Island.

Pattinson says the mountainous area posed a number of challenges for the recovery crew.

“At this stage there was only one way in and one way out, so there was only one entry for us,” he says.

“We knew there were going to be carcinogenic products in there as well and one of our main risks was all the helicopter work that had to be involved.

“That was because we had to put bore holes up on the mountain, we had to establish gas monitoring lines up on the mountain and we had maintained all of those all the time as we went into the mine.”

However, Pattinson says opportunities came with those challenges.

“For everybody there it was more than just a job – it was personal,” he says. “As

The recovery operation came under intense scrutiny.

the standalone agency set up to do the recovery, we weren’t a mining company so we weren’t there to make money.

“We weren’t time bound – our saying was ‘it doesn’t matter how long it takes, we have to do it safely’.”

“We formed a partnership with the families and we had a lot of input from the world’s leading experts.”

Pattinson says there was significant infrastructure for the team to deal with in performing the recovery operation.

“There was a conveyor structure all the way up the tunnel,” he says.

“There was also all the electrical transformers that were situated on the pit bottom on the stone.

“We knew there would be a challenge with re-ventilating to ensure we had no methane left in the mine – when we took the mine over it was 98 per cent methane.”

Pattinson says the recovery involved more than 30 technical experts from around the world from Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, as well as locally at Greymouth.

The agency risk assessed three options to look at re-entry of the site.

“One was single entry and just go in through the single portal using the current tunnel,” Pattinson says.

“The other one was building another tunnel so we have a second means of egress – we looked at an area further up the mountain.

“We also looked at still using a

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 55 NOV-DEC 2021

single entry but putting a large diameter bore hole at the end of the tunnel as an escape if anything went wrong. But again, to use that you would have to recover the whole tunnel first.

“The recommended option we took to the New Zealand Government was single entry and while we deemed all three options could be done safely, single entry was the less complex.”

In March this year, the Minister responsible for Pike River Re-entry, Andrew Little, stated that it was too hard and too expensive to go any further into the mine.

Pattinson says the recovery team is now in the progress of sealing the site.

“Once we have finished that the site will be rehabilitated and handed back to the New Zealand Department of Conservation as it is a national park,” Pattinson says.

“The whole idea was to gather evidence to better understand what happened with the explosion to try and prevent future tragedies, but mainly to promote accountability “Here we are nearly 11 years on and no one has been held accountable for 29 lives lost. It was also about giving the families of the Pike River families and victims some closure, peace of mind and to recover human remains where possible.

“To all those people out there who said we could not do this safely – we have proven them wrong.”

, D E E N U T. O Y RE R E ER N. V E F O T N A O H IS H W D IT RC FINE SEA TH

RELY ON AUSTRALIA’S MANUFACTURING, MINING AND INDUSTRIAL HUB 70,000 monthly users can’t be wrong. Find what you’re looking for with over 12,000 business listings and 8,000 specific product listings. Access relevant information and resources, empowering you to make a qualified purchase decision. You can always rely on your industry hub.

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Emergency response Mine rescue competitions are used to sharpen the skills of teams.

Containing COVID-19 spread at mine rescue contests RESCUE TEAMS ARE A NECESSITY TO KEEP WORKERS SAFE ON A MINE SITE. BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THREATENS TO PREVENT THESE TEAMS FROM FULFILLING THEIR REGULATORY OBLIGATIONS?

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he COVID-19 pandemic has created serious issues for industries across the world and the mining sector has not been exempt.

Social distancing and masks have become normal practice and all precautions are taken to protect the health of workers.

However, issues arise when regulatory requirements must be met in order for a mine site to continue operating.

In the United States, mine rescue contests are designed to sharpen skills and test the knowledge of team members who would be called on to respond to a mine emergency.

The contest requires team members to solve a hypothetical problem while being timed and observed by judges according to complex rules.

JHK and Associates Consulting president Jeffery Kravitz has worked at the Mine Safety and Health Administration

(MSHA) for more than 43 years.

He served as the mine emergency operations chief and the scientific development for MSHA chief. He was responsible for seeking out and developing new technology for mine emergency operations, and led MSHA’s mine emergency operations and respiratory protection programs.

Kravitz says the COVID-19 pandemic had a serious impact on the running of mines rescue contests in the US. “Here in the United States, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), which is the governing body that regulates mining, did not relax any mandatory regulatory requirements for training,” he says.

“They required two mine rescue contests per year for all coal teams as there are always two contests held per year during normal times.

Kravitz says holding mine rescue events during the pandemic presents a

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range of challenges for organisers.

“Trying to round up enough judges caused a problem,” Kravitz says.

“Normally for contests, both regionally and nationally, MSHA has the main function for judging along with each state.

“MSHA really didn’t have judges available and they are not allowing their people to travel so it creates a major problem.

“The states are stepping up to fill the gap and also mining companies themselves that are not participating in the contest are also stepping up to the plate.”

As close contact between teams is a regular occurrence at contests, the possible spread of COVID-19 was a genuine concern.

“A typical mine rescue team doesn’t stand 15 feet apart, they don’t stand six feet apart, they are normally standing shoulder to shoulder,” Kravitz says.

“So if anyone in that team had COVID

Emergency response

The COVID-19 pandemic had serious impact on the running of mines rescue contests.

then it would spread and might wipe out the whole team for a great period of time.

“If they are out in the field wearing a mask it is kind of safe, but once you get into a first aid contest then you have people handling other people. You can see how close people are getting to each other and it gets to be a real problem.”

Kravitz says even taking a written test caused problems for contest organisers.

“When you have all these people together in a room and they are only six feet apart, there is only so much space and it causes obvious issues,” he says.

The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and MSHA hosted the first mine rescue competition for underground teams in 2020.

“Normally the mine rescue season starts around March or April. This one was held in late July,” Kravitz says.

“This was a significant accomplishment in a year where normally several mine rescue contests are held throughout the country.

“In this contest we only had three teams participate, which is the minimum requirement for MSHA compliance.”

Kravitz says this first contest of the season was a semi-virtual event which minimised exposure to COVID-19.

Additional safety precautions included social distancing, personal protective

equipment (PPE), disinfection of equipment, and judges evaluating maps and written tests remotely.

Mine rescue teams worked two competition problems on the same day, thus achieving compliance for certification in 2020.

“Another contest in Morgantown, West Virginia, was held in October last year where guards were restricting access to the contest area,” Kravitz says.

“They stopped and screened everyone coming into the contest area, they took temperatures, and no one was allowed in with a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

“They denied access to anyone who

was sick or had a fever or failed any of the screening questions.

“Social distancing was six feet, and now they are actually questioning whether six feet is actually good enough. Contest officials were provided with PPE while the competition teams provided their own.”

Further precautions required that teams arrive at a pre-determined time and leave 20 minutes after competing, no inter-mingling of competitors while spectators can only observe their respective teams.

Kravitz believes the preventive measures implemented will continue to be improved as the pandemic continues “After all is said and done, there will be studies about the impact COVID-19 has had on the effectiveness of competitions here in the United States,” Kravitz says.

“Mandatory vaccination has been talked about here but as far as I know there have been no companies here that will be implementing that.

“I know some airlines have been looking at vaccinations as a requirement, but it is not a requirement for mining companies. However, there is a lot of testing that goes on daily.

“Obviously the smaller mines don’t have the capabilities that some of the larger mines do, but they still have the access to the risk analysis that we provide.”

COVID-19 has made practicing rescue scenarios difficult.

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THE FIRST PRIORITY FOR AUSTRALIA’S MINING INDUSTRY

ISSUE 16 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Effective communications A foundation of safety

OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNERS

Mining equipment

Risk management

Health & wellbeing

Materials handling

Throughout the cycles of the mining industry there is one constant for everyone involved in the industry – safety. A safe workplace is critical to the continued success of your business.

Launched in 2018, Safe To Work provides a high-quality, multi-platform publication for the Australian mining sector, with safety as its key focus.

Safe To Work’s promotional features deliver a forum for organisations to showcase the role each aspect of safety plays in helping the industry achieve the industry’s No. 1 priority.

TO BOOK IN SAFE TO WORK CONTACT JONATHAN DUCKETT NOW JONATHAN.DUCKETT@PRIMECREATIVE.COM.AU | 0498 091 027

Events

The Prospect Awards take place on March 17 2022.

Prospect Awards finalists exhibit mining’s best NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS ARE WRAPPING UP WITH FAMILIAR FACES AND UNIQUE TALENTS AMONG THIS YEAR’S CONTENDERS.

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he Prospect Awards is a mainstay event that showcases the best innovations and projects developed by mining and METS (mining equipment, technology and services) companies, as well as the people who work behind-the-scenes to lead the industry to success.

Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 awards show is moving forward, albeit on a new date of March 17 2022 at The Greek Club in Brisbane.

The first wave of finalists are for the Excellence in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Application, Excellence in Environmental Management, Excellence in Mine Safety and

Innovative Mining Solution awards.

Prospect Awards events manager Lauren Winterbottom thanks each of the talented individuals and organisations that submitted an application.

“Each finalist reflects the innovative prowess of Australia’s mining industry and the potential it exhibits in the face of adversity and global transformation,” Winterbottom says.

EXCELLENCE IN INDUSTRIAL INTERNET OF THINGS (IIOT) APPLICATION The Excellence in IIoT Application award highlights an outstanding implementation of IIoT that enhances mining and minerals processing.

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Finalists for this forward-thinking award include Fenner Dunlop, Flexco, Coolon and Pitcrew AI. Fenner Dunlop has been recognised for its iBelt solution, which transforms conveyor maintenance processes to monitor, plan and access predictions in real time, both on and off site, to boost productivity.

Flexco has put forward its Elevate i3 Device, which acts as a wireless platform that can transfer realtime data remotely from an intuitive digital dashboard.

LED lighting company Coolon received a finalist nod for its Coolon Brilliant Connected lights product, which contains smart wireless networking nodes that automatically

AUSTRALIAN MINING PROSPECT AWARDS

create a wireless mesh network to enable IIoT services to operate.

Pitcrew AI has been recognised for its Autonomous OTR Tyre inspection solution, which is a solar powered product that inspects damage to OTR tyres that are seen on many mining vehicles without human intervention.

EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT The Excellence in Environmental Management award recognises a mine, company or project that has carried out a forward-thinking environmentally focussed program.

This year’s finalists include Gold Fields, Yancoal, Geoimage and SoilCyclers.

Gold Fields submitted its Agnew hybrid renewable project for its ability to deliver 50 to 60 per cent clean energy with 99.99 per cent reliability, setting a global benchmark for renewable energy in mining.

Coal miner Yancoal has received a finalist position for its rehabilitation of the Premier Coal operation in Western Australia into Lake Kepwari.

Geoimage’s groundWATCH digital application has also been recognised for its ability to allow systematic viewing of ground changes.

SoilCyclers has achieved finalist status for its Recycling Overburden and Mine Void Water collaboration, which was successful in rehabilitating Idemitsu’s Ensham coal mine in Queensland.

EXCELLENCE IN MINE SAFETY, OH&S – PROUDLY SPONSORED

BY VOCUS Safety is a crucial factor at any mine site and the excellence in Mine Safety, OH&S award highlights a mine, company or project that has increased safety, removed risk or reduced worker issues.

“Each finalist reflects the innovative prowess of Australia’s mining industry and the potential it exhibits in the face of adversity and global transformation.”

This year’s finalists are Yancoal, Road Safe Moranbah, Mitchell Services and Mader Group.

Yancoal will compete for the award with its Yarrabee Way – Safety Culture Framework, which is developed by the company’s workers to understand and control its risks.

Road Safe Moranbah has been recognised for its ability to target community safety following a fatal crash on the Peak Downs Highway and encourages further research.

Mitchell Services submitted its Frontline-driven Fatal Risk Management, which has developed and implemented a critical risk management system that is focussed on workforce-led critical thinking and innovation.

Mader Group is recognised as a finalist for its Improving Fleet Safety program, which involved the adoption of an in-vehicle monitoring system that provides live tracking of drivers.

INNOVATIVE MINING SOLUTION – PROUDLY SPONSORED BY AUSTMINE The Innovative Mining solution award recognises a mine, company or project that has developed a unique mining solution for the industry.

Finalists for the award comprise Aggreko, Geographe, newGen Group and Technofast Industries.

Aggreko’s Aggreko Virtual Gas

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Power Plants has been put forward for developing the first mining power station that includes the application of gas generators and a virtual pipeline of LNG to power an underground mining operation that reduces diesel power.

Geographe has also demonstrated innovation through its Geographe Ball Stud Removal Tool, which is a safer, faster and quieter method of removing ball studs from heavy equipment to save significant labour costs. newGen Group has received a finalist position for its ArmourGRAPH solution, which uses graphene nanoplatelets to enhance wear materials through areas including abrasion resistance and tear strength.

Technofast Industries has submitted its Technofast EziTite Hydraulic Head Nut for the award. The solution replaces solid mechanical nuts of gyratory rock and ore crushers to enhance safety cut downtime and provide easy installation.

Thank you to Prospect Awards sponsors National Group, Liebherr, SEW-Eurodrive, Epiroc, Austmine, Flexco, CRC and Vocus for supporting the program.

Tickets for the evening are now available online at www. prospectawards.com.au The remaining award finalists will be revealed in the next edition of Safe to Work.

Events CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS EVENT SUBMISSIONS CAN BE EMAILED TO EDITOR@SAFETOWORK.COM.AU

AUSTRALIAN GOLD CONFERENCE SYDNEY AND ONLINE | NOVEMBER 17-19 The Australian Gold Conference will take place across three days in 2021 at Crown Sydney, kicking off with an ‘Introduction to Gold’ event hosted by The Perth Mint on November 17.

From there, a two-day symposium will be held – bringing together every aspect of the precious metals investment industry to promote and help educate everyday Australians as well as those already invested in the sector.

Keynote speakers will present their investment views and look at how we can grow and protect our wealth going forward. Bullion dealers will also be on hand to help you understand how.

• goldindustrygroup.com.au/events/industryevent-2021-australian-gold-conference

FUTURE MINING CONFERENCE PERTH | DECEMBER 6-8 AusIMM and the University of New South Wales are excited to welcome back the International Future Mining Conference to Perth, Western Australia and online in December 2021.

The global demand for minerals and extreme mining conditions are just some of the factors presenting a challenge for the future of the mining industry. Bringing insights and learnings from a range of disciplines and industries, the Future Mining Conference will showcase the latest technologies and innovations integrated into mining operations.

The accepted abstracts are now online.

Featuring more than 100 submissions, these will give you a detailed look into the themes and technical presentations that will be covered at the conference.

Hear from Andrew Dempster on ‘Integrating Space and Mining Engineering: A System Engineering Perspective’, Francois AgueyZinsou on ‘Hydrogen power for the mining industry’, Peter Johnson on ‘Lost Opportunities with Technology Management’, and many more.

• ausimm.com/conferences-and-events/ future-mining

INTERNATIONAL MINING AND RESOURCES CONFERENCE (IMARC) MELBOURNE | JANUARY 31 FEBRUARY 2 2022 After going virtual in 2020, IMARC will be back in 2022 with a hybrid event –

welcoming thousands of guests from Australia and overseas, in person and online. More than 130 countries will participate in Australia’s most influential mining event, with more than 200 exhibitors and 70 hours of networking opportunities to take advantage of.

The event encompasses a three-day conference diving into topics of exploration, investment, production optimisation technology and global opportunities.

Additionally, the expo floor will cover 13,000 square metres to accommodate the biggerand-better machinery and equipment on show this year. Tickets range from free passes through to premium delegate passes, so visit the site below to book a spot now. Please note, IMARC was postponed from its 2021 dates due to the impact of COVID-19.

• imarcglobal.com

AUSTMINE MINING INNOVATION ROADSHOW NEWCASTLE | FEBRUARY 24 This full-day conference will explore concepts discussed at Austmine’s biennial conference and exhibition from May 2021. Conversations surrounding sustainability and innovation will be driven by keynote speakers Mick Buffier, Glencore; Stuart Sneyd, Metso Outotec; Cam Halfpenny, Bengalla Mining Company; and Belinda Grealy, Orica.

New topics will also be discussed which relate to the local mining and METS industry, including safer and more productive coal mining, opportunities for diversification into metals mining and other industries, the role of innovation in driving sustainable processes and effective stakeholder engagement. Roundtable interactions will present an excellent opportunity to network with senior industry leaders, researchers and a range of METS company delegates.

• austmine.com.au

SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 62 NOV-DEC 2021

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY BRISBANE, SYDNEY, MELBOURNE, ADELAIDE AND PERTH | MARCH 4-11 Returning to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth in March 2022, AusIMM will present another forward-thinking event as they continue to raise the profile of women in the resources sector. As part of their 2021 International Women’s Day event series, AusIMM welcomed 1600 people from across Australia to applaud the achievements of women in the resources sector and hear from inspiring keynotes about their own journeys on challenging bias and inequality. Women were provided an important platform to tell their stories and express their concerns, paving the way for the continued evolution and equality of the resources sector.

• ausimm.com/conferences-and-events/ international-womens-day

AUSTRALIAN BULK HANDLING AWARDS MELBOURNE | AUGUST 25 The Australian Bulk Handling Awards return in 2022, welcoming the sector’s esteemed and emerging to come together and celebrate the outstanding achievements from across the last two years. With prior events postponed, finalists from both 2020 and 2021 will be recognised at the 2022 event. Awards to be announced include Supplier of the Year, Bulk Handling Facility of the Year, Best Practice in Safety, and Dust Control Technology, Application or Practice. Taking place on August 25, the gala dinner will coincide with the Australian Bulk Handling Expo in Melbourne – a three-day event that encompasses the entire bulk solids handling industry.

The Australian Bulk Handling Expo is supported by the Australian Society for Bulk Solids Handling (ASBSH), who will host an industry conference, while the trade expo will showcase the latest in bulk materials handling equipment and technologies.

• bulkhandlingawards.com.au

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