8th February 2017 Inspection Development and Longwall
MRE – Grosvenor Coal Mine + comments – 08.02.2017
POINTS TO NOTE
The Inspectors explained that their intention was to inspect both the longwall and developments but as an introduction first made reference to the following.
Safety Alerts, Safety Bulletins and Safety Newsflashes
Copies of all documents mentioned below were supplied to Mr Bull.
Inspectors handing over what DNRME considers applicable to UG Mines
Respirable Dust
Notable Improvement Industry Wide still strong focus 2017
Is Grosvenor part of Improvement? Not likely
Safety Alert 2016 – Contract coal mine worker suffers cardiac arrest
This is a reminder regarding diligence of Health Assessments and fitness for work capability.
Give it to Mine it happened at. How about asking where up to with Contract worker engagement, contactor management etc in a Mine of Contractors.
Safety Newsflash 2016 – Cleanskin Safety
A recent injury to a contractor identified, after close investigation, that induction and basic training were not aligned to the mine’s requirements Is the incident referred to Grosvenor Mine?
Nothing about where Mine is up to either with its review of Contractor Management of if they have reviewed their system since the Newsflash
Safety Newsflash 2016 – Uncontrolled release of methane.
Diligence is required in sealing operations to ensure that the risk of doors self closing while seals being purged is avoided.
WAS THIS AN ANGLO MINE?
Safety Newsflash 2016 – Shaft filling incident resulting in dangerous levels of methane present.
Inspector Gouldstone gave a detailed briefing of the contributing factors and root cause. Ultimately prior planning and thorough risk assessment process is the key to prevention of such matters.
WAS THIS AN ANGLO MINE
Respirable dust control was discussed and the Mine so far has remained compliant save for three dry drilling incidents which have been reported to Inspector Shaun Dobson. A discussion took place in regard to mines having to re-sample in similar circumstances.
Such activity may not be considered as appropriate or not likely for some considerable time. The inspectors undertook to provide direction after consulting with others in the Department in regard to how best to satisfy the requirement. In the first instance a discussion with the inspector ought to be conducted in each case as to a practicable way forward.
Why is anyone dry drilling in first place? 3 Separate Incidents. Unbelievable
1.2 Recent HPls at the Mine
There had been two recent HPls at the Mine which had not so far received attention by the Department. The first, a shotfiring incident, dated 3 February 2017, was being dealt with separately in liaison with Inspector Paul Brown and the second which occurred on 15 January 2017 was described by Mr Bull
NO MENTION OF WHAT OCCURRED FOR SHOTFIRING HPI
A person had to have stitches and corrective surgery to pin the bone in a finger after getting it trapped when sliding the bolter along the spill tray during roof fall recovery work. The Inspectors asked for a copy of the ICAM upon completion. The injured person is unlikely to return to work for another eight weeks
ANOTHER DRILLING RIG INJURY LESS THAN 3 WEEKS SINCE SERIOUS FOOT INJURY
Developments
MG 102 Superpanel has advanced to 31 CT and will drive to 35CT to establish the faceline for Longwall 103. UIS drilling is underway in readiness for this to happen. Methane drainage holes to allow this being done. (What lead time for drainage needed?)
UNDERGROUND INSPECTION MG 103 Brennan and Bull
B to C 20c/t no-roaded due to low ventilation < 0.3m/s.
End cap not fitted correctly (left deliberately?) told ERZC to fit cap correctly use slider plate.
Even knowing Inspectors coming and previous shift doing some work
As we walked to the fans I raised best safety practice with Mr Bull, direction the shuttle car wheels were facing, straight down C heading, safety requires the wheel to be turned facing the rib line
Mining 101
I raised my concerns with Mr Bull as to the No Go Zones in and around the concrete sprayer and the interaction of the CMW in No Go Zone advising I will be issuing a Recommendation to review the SWI for the operation of the concrete sprayer.
No group Slam for all high-risk traffic area work, 3 Eimco loaders and shuttle car.
Another INSPECTOR “Recommendation”
LW 101
I observed the damage to the flushing shield on the last support at the TG end of the longwall which has been causing problems of drag, and then shear pin failures. This in turn slows progress on turn around and then leads to higher probability of roof falls. It was explained that the flushing shield will shortly be replaced. This is a recurring feature on many longwalls – Moranbah North would appear to have managed this matter better than most.
Damage to flushing shield.
Drag and shear pin failures. Slows advancement and higher probability of roof falls.
Flushing shield to be replaced shortly.
Moranbah North manages this better than most
DID THE CHANGE OUT FIX THE PROBLEM.
Is the Roof fall prediction prophetic?
4.0 Briefing Meeting and Close-out
We were joined by the following personnel –
Mr Adam Garde SSE (Inspector Gouldstone briefed Mr Garde on the longwall aspect of the inspection before Inspector Brennan had exited the Mine)
Mr Bull – UMM
Ms Laine Webb
We acquainted all present of the observations, recommendations and requests for information made in this MRE.
NO Legal Standing to get any action taken
There were no circumstances for giving a Directive or an SCP. Standards seen and attitudes of the workforce were good.
What about content of Statutory Reports again?
What about Ventilation and Installation, Inspection of Auxiliary Fan ventilation
Mr Bull provided a copy of the letter requesting an extension to the s172 Directive given by Chief Inspector of Coal Mines in relation to an engineering study on strata control at the mine.
Strata Control Review has been underway since August 2016.
It is now 6 months since the last roof fall and 8 months since the first.
Mine has been allowed to continue operations as it has seen fit since then while they “Conduct the Review”
HOW MUCH LONGER WILL THE REVIEW TAKE?
WAS an Extension Granted? Number Recommendation
Due Date
I Grosvenor Underground Operations are to Review the SWI for Concrete Spraying Activities.
Review the SWI for concrete spraying operations to define the Role and No Go Zones of the second person involved in concrete spraying activities.
