Level 4 Compliance Meeting Grasstree Not Reporting Methane HPI’s 2017
MRE-Grasstree Mine – 07.09.2017.pdf
Under the Compliance Policy signed by Minister Robertson this would have been a Level 5 Meeting.
Today, Thursday 7 September at lam, a Level 4 Compliance Meeting was held at DNRM Offices, 1 William Street, Brisbane between representatives of Anglo American Grasstree Mine and the Department.
List of Attendees
Chief Inspector of Coal Mines – Russell Albury
Deputy Chief Inspector of Coal Mines – Shaun Dobson
Regional Inspector, Mackay – Les Marlborough
Regional Inspector, Rockhampton – Kevin Poynter
Inspector of Mines – Richard Gouldstone
SSE Grasstree Mine – Tim Hobson
UMM Grasstree Mine – Dan Proffitt
Executive Head of Open Cut Operations – Mark Heaton
Executive Head of Underground Operations – Glenn Britton
Health and Safety Officer – Linda Butler
The Meeting was called by the Chief Inspector of Coal Mines (CIOCM) to present to Mr Hobson (SSE) the findings of an investigation into the reporting of High Potential Incidents (HPls) by Grasstree Mine.
The Inspectors made reference to the following HPls 1. Grasstree Mine Evacuation 25 December 2016
2, Misfire 908 MG C/Hdg O-lct 21 February 2017
- Methane general body +2.5% in LW 906TG Roadway 20 May 2017
- Serious Injury – 9 April 2017
- Numerous other incidents of general body methane concentrations exceeding 2.5% which were not reported
The details of the circumstances of each incident were related. In each case there had been one, or a combination of, the following features
- Failure to report the HPI in accordance with Section 198 of Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999
- Unacceptable delay in reporting HPls in accordance with Section 198 of Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999
- Unacceptable delay in providing information associated with incidents following specific request made by inspectors
- Understatement of the serious nature of circumstances
An exchange in regard to some of the details took place for clarification.
Mr Hobson responded indicating that he fully acknowledged that he had not fulfilled his obligation as Site Senior Executive Section as required by 198 of Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 in relation to the incidents listed in this MRE. Mr Britton agreed and stated that they would provide a written response to the MRE.
Mr Hobson undertook to conduct a full review of the Mine Safety and Health System in regard to Section 15 and Section 16 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulations 2001 ,
Investigating of accidents and incidents and, giving notice of High Potential Incidents. This will include specific delegation of those persons who can report on behalf of the Mine SSE.
