Marlborough 168 Directive Tailgate Methane12th September 2017
Has the Methane ignition risk been assessed for this in the risk assessment when developing this TARP? Were any alternatives considered, such as;
- preventing shearer access into the TG should Methane levels be approaching 2 or 2.5% as the shearer approaches the TG;
- tripping the cutter heads at a lower Methane GB concentration to allow the shearer to be flitted clear of the TG Shuffle Zone;
- the use of a Sherwood Curtain or other ventilation method in the TG end of the Longwall?
Review of general Body Contaminant TARP
The mine is to review the GRO-750-TARP-General Body Contaminant and the controls in place to ensure that the above points are addressed, with supporting data from the mine’s gas monitoring system to ensure that an acceptable level of risk is achieved
DOES NOT SEEM THAT MR. MARLBOROUGH HAS ATTENDED THE MINE FOR AN INSPECTION.
REQUESTING SPECIFIC ELEMENTS OF THE MINES SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND THEN REVIEWING THEM AND SETTING OUT QUESTIONS AND ISSUING A DIRECTIVE.
ARE THESE MATTERS THAT MR MARLBOROUGH WANTED ADDRESSED WHILE HE WAS THE COMPLIANCE MANAGER AT GROSVENOR MINE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL?
MR MARLBOROUGH’S QUESTIONS AS OUTLINED IN CONCERN 1 THROUGH 4; QUERIES AND REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION SEEM APPROPRIATE AND HE ISSUES A SECTION 168 DIRECTIVE WITH A THREE-WEEK TIME PERIOD
I, Mr Leslie Marlborough, Inspector of Mines, have been reviewing the document,
GRO-750-TARP-General Body Contaminant which was supplied to me on request by SSE Mr Adam Garde on 1 1 Aug 2017.
Having reviewed this document, I have identified several areas of concern;-
- The Level 2 and 3 triggers for Methane for the Longwall return that require the Shearer speed to be reduced by 30% or to stop the shearer do not occur when the shearer is in the TG Shuffle Zone, referred to in the TARP as PRS#131 — 149. Has the Methane ignition risk been assessed for this in the risk assessment when developing this TARP? Were any alternatives considered, such as; preventing shearer access into the TG should Methane levels be approaching 2 or 2.5% as the shearer approaches the TG; tripping the cutter heads at a lower Methane GB concentration to allow the shearer to be flitted clear of the TG Shuffle Zone; the use of a Sherwood Curtain or other ventilation method in the TG end of the Longwall?
- Does the mine have gas monitoring data that shows the extent of the TG Shuffle Zone and the flushing of Methane from the goaf area when the shearer is in this area?
- Is the stopping of the shearer an instantaneous automatic function when the shearer is in the TG Shuffle Zone?
4 The TARP, with regards to Methane concentrations, appears to be focussed on compliance with s343 of the CHSHR. The mine must also ensure that the hazards associated with Methane in excess of 2.0% are addressed in the management of general body methane levels to achieve an acceptable level of risk.
I will issue a Directive for the mine to review the GRO-750-TARP-General Body Contaminant and the controls in place to ensure that the above points are addressed, with supporting data from the mine’s gas monitoring system to ensure that an acceptable level of risk is achieved.
I also request that the mine supply me, by Friday 15 September 2017, with screen shots of weekly gas trends from the Citect gas monitoring system for each week, for the 12 weeks prior to Sun 10 Sept 2017. These 12 separate screen shots must show Methane readings for the LWIOI TG Inbye and Outbye Methane monitors, the TG 101 Outbye Tube Bundle point Methane reading, the shearer face position and the Barometer reading.
Number Directive Due Date
1 Pursuant to section 168 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 03/10/2017
Review of general Body Contaminant TARP
The mine is to review the GRO-750-TARP-General Body Contaminant and the controls in place to ensure that the above points are addressed, with supporting data from the mine’s gas monitoring system to ensure that an acceptable level of risk is achieved
