Australian Mine Safety Journal is digital publication on mining industry

A recent decision by the Fair Work Commission to not reinstate a worker after he was sacked for taking Nurofen Plus on the job has shone a light on the need for employee compliance with direction, effective and concise drug and alcohol policies and reasonableness when it comes to over the counter medications In the case of Guorgi vs Transdev, Transdev alleged that Mr Guorgi, a Compliance Co-ordinator, failed to notify Transdev that he was taking Nurofen Plus, failed to report the use by not providing a medication declaration form to his Manager and failed to comply with the Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedure in relation to a saliva test. Additionally, Transdev considered that Mr Guorgi failed to appreciate the seriousness of these allegations or to acknowledge any error was of particular concern given his role of Compliance Coordinator. He was terminated on the basis of a breach of the Transdev Queensland drug and alcohol policy Mr Guorgi’s case to the Fair Work...

SPONSORED: The MineARC SiriUS Cap Lamp – Breaking Ground in Mining Cap Lamp Technology A Cap Lamp is a vital piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in underground mining. Used in environments where light is scarce, the humble cap lamp can at times be the only reliable visual aid. Cap lamps are more than just a source of light, however; they play a significant role in an individual’s safety.  Improving light quality will boost visual performance, enhancing the ability to detect hazards and the execution of day-to-day activities. They can also provide valuable information when trying to evacuate an area in an emergency. When visibility has dramatically reduced due to smoke or other hazards, the quality and technology within a cap lamp can make a significant difference. As the integration of onsite technologies continues to improve, cap lamps are positioned to significantly strengthen personal safety as well as a company’s overall safety initiati...

As the 2018 year draws to a close there is a range of uncertainty in global mining markets that have made a few investors a little nervous. There are, however, some constants emerging across the mining industry. One of those clearly evident is that the mining industry is focusing efforts around the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, Big Data digital data transformation and there has been significant progress over this past year in development and convergence of mining safety technology. Mining safety technology set to progress The certainty for 2019 is that there will be further progress on mining safety technology globally. A range of companies are now looking to leverage integrated sensor technology and connectivity of devices to enhance productivity and improve mining safety in real time. Despite the future opportunities in mining safety technology, there will also be a range of imminent threats to work, health and safety that we have not seen before. ...

A rescued survivor has told authorities that there are 17 people trapped inside a flooded mine in the Indian region of Meghalaya .   According to available reports the mine was flooded last Friday. The survivor told Indian press that “There were 22 people in all. Five of us were on the ground while 17 others were busy cutting coal,” said Sayeb Ali, 21, from Panbari village in the Chirang district of Assam. ‘Ground’ refers to the landing area inside the mine. “There are three others from my village alone, who are still trapped,” he said. “I was about five feet away from the ground that morning and on my way up, when I suddenly felt a lot of air and then saw water,” Ali said. “I caught on to the wire and managed to climb upwards till the people outside sent in a carriage,” he recalled. “I was all drenched,” he said. “The water helped to push me out,” he claimed, adding that “four others on the ground” were also rescued. “They are in Meghalaya,” he said. Ali had...

Peabody have provided an update overnight on the previously reported North Goonyella mine fire and have advised that the Queensland Mines Rescue GAG is now being returned offsite. Peabody says that activities at the North Goonyella mine site remain focused on assessment of underground conditions and advanced planning for re-ventilation ahead of potential re-entry to the mine when safe and appropriate to do so. The mine is still maintaining exclusion zones with underground access prohibited and limited access to surface areas of the mine and has been undertaking a range of surface drilling activities  to establish additional monitoring boreholes. The company says that drilling is near completion. Water has continued to plague the mine with a accumulation in a number of areas. Peabody say that “Pumping activities are advancing in response to ongoing accumulation of water in parts of the mine.” The update highlights that the use of cameras to assess undergr...

Austmine’s Brisbane End of Year Networking event provides an opportunity to celebrate with industry colleagues and the Austmine team at the end of a fantastic year for our industry. The event will be held on Monday 26th November 2018 at the Queensland Cricketer’s Club. Together mining and METS companies have reached new heights in 2018 and are ushering in an exciting digital age driven by new technologies, innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving. This collective strength and support has enabled Austmine to explore new frontiers for our members throughout the year, such as the creation of international initiatives and projects, facilitation of key industry workshops, increased networking opportunities and greater influence to advocate for our world-leading METS sector. The event will facilitate new connections between METS and miners in attendance and will include short presentations and networking drinks and canapes. More details on the ...

In July this year a new standard for gas detection and monitoring equipment in coal mines was launched. The new standard incorporates world-leading practices feature for management of life saving gas detection equipment in coal mines across Australia and New Zealand. AS/NZS 2290.3:2018 , Electrical equipment for coal mines – Introduction, inspection and maintenance, Part 3: Gas detecting and monitoring equipment was published by the joint Australian and New Zealand technical committee of Standards Australia. “The primary emphasis of this standard is the safety of coal miners, by providing guidance on the use of gas detection equipment in mines,” said Dr Bronwyn Evans, CEO of Standards Australia. “ The Pike River Mine disaster of 2010 is one of the many devastating examples why continued standards development is so important. “Among the changes in this edition of the standard, is a new requirement for routinely measuring the response time of installed gas detection systems....

In preparation for cyclone season many mines across Australia have already formalised emergency response plans for cyclone related events but mining safety regulators are warning that there is no place for complacency. The cyclone season officially started on 1 November 2018 and will run through to 30 April 2019. The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that the probability of cyclones will be reduced due to the effects El Niño On average, there are 10 to 13 tropical cyclones each season in the Australian region, four of which typically cross the coast. El Niño typically reduces the number of coastal crossings, but at least one tropical cyclone has crossed the Australian coast each season since reliable records began in the 1970s. The BOM advised that “during El Niño years, the first tropical cyclone to cross the coast is typically during the second week of January. This is generally later than seasons which are ENSO-neutral when the first cyclone landfall...

Working in the mining sector obviously comes with risks, however not all the risks are directly linked to the physical side of the job and its dangers.  There are obvious workplace risks of course, but living near the mines can also pose a range of health concerns and hazards in itself. Whether it is deep or surface mining there are risks, and in recent times it has been a widely publicised subject, and every year we have more and more information available to us through research and testing. So what are the main risks associated with coal mining, and how does it affect you (or your family). The Occupational Hazards of Mining Miners face a range of dangers working in coal mines. It’s never truly been a safe or healthy environment, and the threat of injury from falling objects, faulty equipment, or roof collapses are as prevalent as they have always been. Even though workplace health and safety has improved immensely in the last 20-30 years, risk is still hig...

OPINION: There’s an old saying “What a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive.” That saying might just apply to one of the world’s largest coal miners who, in cahoots with the Queensland Government, may have sought to cover up highly market sensitive information on the North Goonyella Mine Fire. This week Peabody Energy have been accused of one of the hugest porkies in relation to the North Goonyella Mine Fire. On Tuesday, Mathew Stevens from the Australian Financial Review (AFR) put a huge sword through the belly of Peabody Energy in his feature article ” Peabody admits that smoke really did mean fire.” Mathew highlighted that Peabody finally went to market three days after pictures had been posted publicly of black smoke billowing from the North Goonyella mine. This resulted in a massive drop in the Peabody Energy share price. Queensland Government Cover Up So you say, what about the Queensland Government’s role in the debacle? Well they too didn’t...

The first confirmed case of black lung disease in a Queensland open cut mine has been revealed. The diagnosis has sparked widespread concern in the mining industry, with the potentially fatal lung disease thought to be only a risk for underground mine workers. Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (CWP) was thought to have been eradicated in Australia until last year. Since then, 15 underground miners have been diagnosed with the disease, caused by breathing in coal dust, and many more are expected to be affected by the disease. The latest victim, 55-year-old Paul Head, currently works at BHP Billiton’s Goonyella Riverside Mine in central Queensland. In his 31 years in the mining industry, Mr Head has only worked in open cut mines, and said he has only ever received one chest x-ray when he first started. CFMEU Mining and Energy Division Queensland District President Stephen Smyth said workers and communities in all states and territories with underground and open cut coa...