Matt Ramsay
Drilling Superintendent – Gas, Anglo American – Moranbah North Mine
The Problem
The rehabilitation of redundant Mine Service boreholes requires the shearing and removal of cemented 20” Steel casing at 1.5m below the ground surface.
This process previously required the entry into the excavation and the risk associated with the manual handling of a hydraulic saw device to cut the casing at required position.
During this cutting process the operators experienced several rotating blade failures that resulted in small shard of steel ejected from the saw blade and contacted the operator’s glove.
The Solution
The strategy to eliminate the hazards identified from investigation of the event; it was actioned to source an alternative device with the capacity to efficiently shear 20” cement encased steel casing, eliminating manual handling, exposure to excavation; via the functionality of remote operation.
The Diamond Wire Saw (DWS) device was identified, assessed and then progressed to primary design functional testing phase in December 2018. With positive observations of improved safety, efficiency and operational performance parameters.
During the trial and testing period, this involved collaboration and engagement of DWS OEM and test operators. The collaboration of stakeholders delivered engineering inputs combined with the collation of test operator feedback facilitated continuous improvement of the DWS device’s re-purposed application into an integrated mobile unit.
The Benefits
The field functional testing and operation of the DWS mobile unit demonstrated:
- Elimination – of traditional rotating blade failure hazard – Guarded Diamond impregnated cable
- Elimination – of manual handling – proximity protected – remotely controlled loader positions and retrieves DWS
- Elimination – CMW entry into excavation – DWS utilizes self-attachment / release function
- Elimination – of manual handling – proximity protected – remotely controlled loader secures the casing during cutting process and relocates to waste transport
- Separation – remote operator console – remove CMW exposure to line of fire
- Separation – remote operator console – remove CMW exposure to excavation
- Operational effectiveness performance realized an increase of 60% on previous methodology
Dr. Tilman Rasche
Principal Mining Engineer, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
The Minerals Council of Australia has identified that tyre fitters at mining operations are ten times more likely to be killed at work than mine diesel mechanics (Hassal 2016). Rim disassembly is particularly hazardous and resulted in seven fatalities in the Australasian region, over the last 15 years.
To better control this fatal hazard a mechanical interference feature, often called the Surelock bead seat band, was patented in 1986. It aims to prevent the inflation and consequential dangerous disassembly of earthmover tyre and rim assemblies, should a lockring be incorrectly fitted.
This presentation, based on the authors recent Australian Coal Association Research Project C26036, aims to raise awareness of this safety feature, explain some of the advantages, disadvantages and misconceptions about this design.
It will also reinforce the urgent need for better industry-wide training approaches around tyre and rim maintenance and highlight a much needed review and update of the Australian Standard ‘AS 4457.1—2007 – Earth-moving machinery—Off-the-road wheels, rims and tyres’, particularly around an improved universal marking and labelling standard of rim componentry.
This seemingly modest change will allow tyre fitters to better identify matching rim and wheel componentry thereby significantly reducing the reoccurrence of rim related fatalities.
Michelle Ray
CEO and Founder, Certified Speaking Professional, Lead Yourself First Enterprise
Born in Australia and now residing in Vancouver, Michelle is a health and safety speaker renowned for her expertise on leadership, accountability, influence and building outstanding safety cultures.
Michelle has worked with hundreds of leaders and their teams in diverse industries including occupational health and safety within private and public enterprise, construction, mining, as well as oil and gas. She demonstrates a deep understanding of team dynamics, interpersonal communication and personal responsibility.
As an in-demand conference presenter, Michelle utilizes a dynamic, interactive and highly engaging style. She has earned the Certified Speaking Professional Designation, held by less than 800 people worldwide.
Michael Riggall – Director Business Development and Product Management Gloves, uvex safety Australia
Luke Ripper
Senior Occupational Hygienist, GCG Health Safety & Hygiene
GCG has provided the Queensland Mining Industry with occupational hygiene services for over 10 years. In light of winning an innovation award from Spotless/Downer, GCG has also been involved in driving solutions around data analytics for positive pressure in cabins.
This year we’re doing things a bit different – ‘Whiteboard Sessions with GCG’. This is available for anyone who has a challenging occupational hygiene problem at hand and interested in an interactive discussion with a qualified hygienist. Come have a chat!
Heidi Roberts – Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
ABSTRACT
In 2015 Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis was re-identified in Queensland Coal mine workers.
Since then, the department, coal mine companies and worker representative groups have been working together to reform the Coal Mine Worker’s Health Scheme and protect worker health.
There have been a number of important learnings along the way and this paper will present a summary of the journey over the past two years to create a better health scheme for coal mine workers, and areas where these learnings can be leveraged in the future.
David Roberts – Maintenance Fitter
Dave Champion – HSET Manager, Peabody-Millennium Mine
Cassandra Rodgers and Helena Langton
Resources Safety & Health Queensland
Prof Naomi Rogers, Specialist Fatigue Consultant, Naomi Rogers Fatigue Consulting
Prof. Naomi Rogers
Sleep and Fatigue Specialist, Naomi Rogers Fatigue
John Tate
Barrister, Crown Law
Prof Naomi Rogers
Naomi has an international reputation in the areas of circadian disruption, sleep loss and consequences on neurocognitive function and health. She has received numerous awards, including an NHMRC Howard Florey Centenary Research Fellowship and a Tall Poppy Award. She is a past President of the Australian Society for Medical Research, and past Director of the Australasian Sleep Association and the Sleep Health Foundation and served on the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Sleep Societies.
She works as a Specialist Fatigue Consultant in various industries including coal mining in Queensland and NSW, maritime, transport, defence, NASA and health care; and has served as an expert witness in coronial inquests and other legal cases. Naomi works extensively within the Queensland Mining Industry, with various companies and mine sites, the SSHRs and IHSRs and the Inspectorate.
John Tate
John was admitted to practice law as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1981. He has practiced both privately and in government in a number of Australian jurisdictions – in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Norfolk Island and Queensland.
Since 1996, John has acted as Counsel Assisting in Mining Warden’s and Coronial inquiries in virtually all mining, explosives, petroleum and gas fatalities in Queensland. Additionally, he has been retained in a range of other fatality inquiries where the primary issue has concerned hospital misadventure, aircraft failure, fatigue, or the suspicion of murder. To this point, John has acted as Counsel Assisting in over 90 public fatality inquiries.
For many years, John’s interests and experience have focused on the critical review of safety and health management and training systems, on accident investigation methodologies, and on compliance issues.