May 30 2018 MRE North Goonyella. General Condition of 9 Nth Longwall.
CONDITION OF 9 NTH
Throughout the Longwall face numerous sets of lifting equipment were found that were either incorrectly colour tagged or were defective and did not have “Out of Service” tags on them.
It was observed that there were pieces of equipment that had been replaced at some stage being left on the walkways on the front of the shields that coal mine workers had to negotiate in order to travel through the face. The shields were very dusty with a thick layer of coal dust over the shields and the rear linkages.
There was no-one deployed cleaning the supports even though there we suitable water hoses with sprays on the shields. In general, housekeeping standards throughout the Longwall were poor. Road conditions were wet and muddy and quite rough
The outbye end of the TG was untidy. Neither of the last two sealed stubs at CT 1 & 2 were effectively ventilated with the brattice wings in poor repair, evidence of vehicle access in the first and both showing sweating at the roof level which I was assured was the norm. The ERZC undertook to correct the matter.
It is important, in particular, that this area is maintained properly in all aspects as it will continue to be a high activity area for siting the E-frame and subject to abutment pressure where faulting is known to be present.
The two gas monitors one in the take-off road and the second the Longwall 9N inbye monitor were examined. the first was hung by a hook over roof mesh and too high to read, footprints on pipes stacked below was evidence of persons climbing to view the displays. The second was covered in dust but equipped with a lowering rope to bring it into view.
