Inspectors Dobson Directive 15th December 2016. I spoke with UMM Bull on 20/12/16 with regards this and required these matters to be investigated as to why these were not classified as per CMSH Regulation 366 and reported as HPl’s.
During the Grosvenor Inquiry there was extensive reference to the so called “Dobson” December 2016 Methane Directive after the Inspection on December 15, 2016. (The full MRE is in the link below)
MRE – Grosvenor Dobson Directive- 15.12.2016
The immediate preamble and the Dobson Directive are worded this way
I spoke with UMM Bull on 20/12/16 with regards this and required these matters to be investigated as to why these were not classified as per CMSH Regulation 366 and reported as HPl’s.
I informed that I was issuing a Directive to ensure compliance with the Act and Regulations for this matter.
Pursuant to section 166 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999
1 Management of methane in the Longwall Tailgate. To ensure compliance with the control and management of methane in the Longwall Tailgate. Due Date 12/01/2017
What exactly was the intention of the Directive, and how the Anglo Grosvenor Management Satisfied the Directive’ only now Deputy Chief Inspector Dobson can answer.
Given DCIOCM Dobson did not provide a Statement for the Grosvenor Inquiry and Dobson was not required to provide evidence to the Grosvenor Inquiry we will never know.
Any communication and documentation between Grosvenor and Inspector Dobson will be never see the light of day due the Mines Department “Cult of Secrecy”.
It will all just disappear behind the Right To Information (RTI) process.
One matter that seems certain is that Inspector Dobson has come to the belief that the mine is not reporting Methane HPI’s in the Longwall Tailgate as required.
This will not be the last time that the Inspectors seem to come to the belief that methane HPIs are not being reported.
Inspector Brown issued the following Directive after an Unannounced Inspection on the 3rd May 2017
1 . Conducting investigations into the floor heave events causing uncontrolled releases of methane contained within MREs dated 3/05/17, 4/05/17. (to be completed by 19/05/17) and:
2. Identify SHMS controls to be developed or reviewed specifically for identifying, managing and controlling the risk of uncontrolled methane releases induced by floor heave. Provide the Inspector with a report of actions taken immediately and proposed actions to address the issue. (to be completed by 26/05/17)
The immediate preamble and the Dobson Directive are worded this way
I spoke with UMM Bull on 20/12/16 with regards this and required these matters to be investigated as to why these were not classified as per CMSH Regulation 366 and reported as HPl’s.
I informed that I was issuing a Directive to ensure compliance with the Act and Regulations for this matter.
Pursuant to section 166 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999
1 Management of methane in the Longwall Tailgate. To ensure compliance with the control and management of methane in the Longwall Tailgate. Due Date 12/01/2017
In the previous MRE from Inspector Dobson on the 22nd of September, made a number of comments about Methane in the Longwall tailgate.
He noted this about Methane in the longwall tailgate in the Close Out meeting.
We further discussed the methane makes for the Longwall tailgate and I was provided with the trends dating back to 17/08/16 as there had been a number of trips at the Tailgate drive in early September that had resulted in delays that were up to 1.25 hours.
I acknowledged that these items were being captured on statutory reports, however it was not evident what further actions had been implemented with regards to the increasing number of these events and actions taken by senior persons when increased TARP levels are activated.
The strategy for understanding the methane makes produced from the first Longwall was not clear.
However SSE Bull informed that a weekly ventilation review process had been initiated yesterday with regards to these matters. This included all Longwall ventilation matters and a review of the Longwall Active goaf TARP and Sealing TARPS was scheduled to occur mid-October.
The Mine Record from the Inspection by Inspectors Dobson and Brennan on the 15th of December 2016 notes the following about Methane up to and including the issuing of the Directive.
1.3 UMM and VO meeting
The Inspectors then met with the Ventilation officer Michael Webber and UMM Bull to discuss information previously provided with regards to Methane issues that were apparent in the Longwall Tailgate from the previous inspection from the ERZ Controllers reports.
The graphical representations provided showed that on a number of occasions that Methane appeared to be greater than 2.5% in the Longwall Tailgate. I asked Mr Webber to verify this detail for the dates and time span that this was greater than 2.5%. This was to be provided for the close out meeting.
It was noted that Methane makes were not entered on the VO’s monthly report that was provided. Mr Webber showed that these were now on current reports.
The weekly ventilation review process that UMM Bull planned to implement was discussed. I was given a copy of one of these reviews.
Mr Webber also informed of the Chief Inspectors VO forum and some of the papers given. Of particular note was the incident of excessive Carbon Monoxide production with the Floxal
1.7 Close out meeting
The matter of the Methane appearing to be greater than 2.5% in the Longwall Tailgate was presented by VO Webber where the graphs presented were from Real time monitoring system which were different to the CITEC graphs previously provided.
These showed Methane in different concentration levels which was not clarified as to why this was the case.
I required further explanation with respect to reasons for these, the actions taken and duration of each of these events as it was not clear as to why any of these events had not been reported to an Inspector as HPl’s.
Mr Bull committed to provide this as soon as possible.
1.8 Further information provided regarding Methane issues.
An email was received on 19/12/16 from UMM Bull compiled by VO Webber. An explanation of an event on 02/08/16 for an event where Methane greater than 2.5% in the Longwall Tailgate was due to a power outage with no persons underground. The mine was subsequently degassed.
Two further events on 06/09/16 indicate two peaks where the Methane was greater than 2.5% in the Longwall Tailgate for periods of approximately 30 minutes and 15 minutes.
I spoke with UMM Bull on 20/12/16 with regards this and required these matters to be investigated as to why these were not classified as per CMSH Regulation 366 and reported as HPl’s.
I informed that I was issuing a Directive to ensure compliance with the Act and Regulations for this matter
Pursuant to section 166 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999
1 Management of methane in the Longwall Tailgate. To ensure compliance with the control and management of methane in the Longwall Tailgate. Due Date 12/01/2017
166 Directive to reduce risk
If an inspector or inspection officer reasonably believes a risk from coal mining operations may reach an unacceptable level, the inspector or officer may give a directive to any person to take stated corrective or preventative action to prevent the risk reaching an unacceptable level.
