PUR Safety Alert Peter Newman 19th February 2021 13 Years after it was Recommended. WHY?”A recent investigation has considered the application of PUR for strata consolidation as a potential cause of heating of remnant coal. Investigations have identified that the use of PUR for strata consolidation has the potential to cause an exothermic reaction that is capable of heating surrounding coal sufficiently to create an ignition source.”
The Creation of a Recognised Standard was Recommended in 2007.
Amongst the recommendations were
- Directive conduct extensive Risk Assessments in relation to hazards of PUR, including providing the Mines Inspectors a Report of the outcomes
- Recognised Standard. This was finally completed in 2019. There was great resistance to forming a Recognised Standard by Industry.
- Investigation/research on the connection between the use of polyurethane and spontaneous combustion to determine connections and develop guidelines to minimise risk.
- Creation of a PUR specific Regulation
As far as I am aware there has never been any PUR specific Regulation enacted.
On the 19th of February 2021 the Chief Inspector Peter Newman published this safety alert.
Why did it take 13 plus years for any research into PUR and Spontaneous Combustion to happen?
https://www.rshq.qld.gov.au/safety-notices/explosives/use-and-application-of-polyurethane-resin-pur-in-underground-coal-mines
This came out as part of the Safety Alerts
A recent investigation has considered the application of PUR for strata consolidation as a potential cause of heating of remnant coal. Investigations have identified that the use of PUR for strata consolidation has the potential to cause an exothermic reaction that is capable of heating surrounding coal sufficiently to create an ignition source.
Operators of underground coal mines should be aware of the capability of polyurethane resins (PUR), to cause heating of coal due to exothermic reaction. It is essential that effective risk control measures are implemented when PUR is used in underground mining operations for the purpose of strata consolidation.
