Document BvRdkaYLZR186veb9EMmJgEXo

QUARRY safe Mining & Quarrying OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE Improving Occupational Health & Safety in SA's quarrying industry 30th Edition www.maqohsc.sa.gov.au January 2004 Introducing your new QuarrySAfe Consultants The QuarrySAfe Plan for 2004!! QuarrySAfe to focus on the people of the industry Greg Dodd & Kathy Wilde of Safety Valve Consulting will be hitting the ground running in January 2004 and keep up the pace all year. They said they are excited about the project and look forward to meeting with new and old people from the industry and discussing the ways they can assist your business. Many quarry operators will remember Greg & Kathy from previous successful projects conducted for MAQOHSC; in particular the Dust & Respiratory Hazards Awareness Program and the introduction of the Contractor Safety Checklists and Work Permits Save Lives documents. Their highest priority is to spend time on site with owners, managers and employees to raise the awareness of hazards within the industry and jointly develop down to earth strategies and controls to minimise the number, severity and human cost of injuries. Some likely initial priorities will focus on the tasks associated with plant clean up and maintenance, including manual handling, confined spaces, plant guarding and controls. An assessment of injury statistics over the last couple of years has indicated these tasks are the largest contributors to on-site injuries. Other priority areas will relate to mobile plant operation, noise and dust exposures, the safe use of hazardous substances and fire prevention during hot work. They will be contacting quarries in January and early February to arrange their first round of site visits. To help with planning, please complete the enclosed QuarrySAfe Service Request form and return it by fax, mail or email. Whilst your consultants will carry with them a small number of MAQOHSC publications, it would be best to let them know in advance of any needs you might have. If you have any immediate questions please make contact by phone (Greg 0412 488 712 or Kathy 0412 481 263). Your QuarrySAfe Consultants Greg Dodd Greg has had over 33 years experience in and consulting to the quarrying industry. He has undertaken roles over the years in materials technology, plant construction, training, management and OH&S. He has either done, or had training in, every job in a quarry - from drilling to sales. He is able to offer constructive comment on most aspects of quarrying and particularly on the practical integration of safe work with getting the job done. Greg particularly enjoys working closely with managers, supervisors and employees to develop simple and effective solutions to their problems and most importantly to leave them with the competence and confidence to continue to enhance their personal and business successes. Kathy Wilde Kathy has had over 10 years experience in and consulting with the industry and has had exposure to all jobs done in the quarry. She is familiar with the safety features, both good and bad, of crushing and screening plant and those of most types of mobile plant found in quarries. Kathy's experience and qualifications in hazard management, when teamed with her occupational health nursing background equip her to advise on a wide range of health and safety aspects of the industry. She is a qualified and experienced trainer and enjoys working with small groups to train and empower them to better look after their own safety at work and the health and safety of their workmates. Contact details: Greg Dodd Phone 0412 488 712 Fax 08 8339 7485 e-mail safety.valve1@senet.com.au Kathy Wilde Phone 0412 481 263 Fax 08 8289 3737 e-mail safety.valve@senet.com.au In this issue Introducing your new QuarrySAfe Consultants Oh for PEAT'S sake! What's Happening Continuation of Health Surveillance Program Dust Control Oh for PEAT'S sake! When you think of PEAT, I know I always think of the mire's and bog's in other parts of the world. Places where you find preserved remains of prehistoric man etc. I for one never would have thought that there would be a "PEAT" quarry in this state. Well there is and it happens to produce arguably the best quality Peat in the country. What is Peat? Peat is a dark fibrous material created when decomposition fails to keep pace with the production of organic matter. It is the first stage of transformation of plant matter into coal. Although peat is created under specific conditions (waterlogging, lack of oxygen or nutrients, high acidity or low temperatures), peat can be found in many types of wetlands. Mayurra Products it is located in the state's South East, overlooking Lake Bonney. It is a small operation requiring only two people. The deposit is on a 20-acre lease with possible reserves bordering the current lease. The PEAT is about 2 metres in depth and covered by approximately 1 foot of topsoil. The topsoil is removed to expose the peat, which is then removed using an excavator. It is then laid out in rows of approximately 1000 m3 where sprinklers are positioned along the row. These are left on 24hrs a day for 7days to wash mainly the salt from the peat. It is then left to dry, taking about 2 weeks dependant on the weather. It is then put through a grinder and a 10mm screen to produce the final product which is stockpiled ready for shipment. As you can see it is a very simple process to obtain a high quality product. The PEAT produced by Mayurra Products is used predominantly in the mushroom growing industry with some also used for potting mix. Approximately 70-80% of the product is shipped to Sydney as mushroom compost, 15% to Melbourne used primarily as garden compost with Adelaide and local markets taking the remainder. So next time you have a mushroom on the BBQ, just think - it might have been grown using a product produced in this state. Shell Grit anyone? As an interesting part time side line the site manager of Mayurra Products (Greg Hann) also operates his own enterprise called Canunda Enterprises. Greg owns a portion of land that forms part of the original Lake Bonney bank. The original bank of the lake was made up of millions of tiny fresh water shells (shell grit or calcium carbonate). About a foot of topsoil is pushed off, the shell grit layer( approx. 1.5m) is removed, and the topsoil pushed back. The shell grit is then screened and dried and is ready to be bagged for market. Currently small markets have been established in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane. Thanks to Greg Hann for his time in showing me around and sharing his knowledge of the area and the work that he does. What's Happening MAQOHSC Committee appoints new QuarrySAfe Consultants At a specially convened meeting on Dec 1st, the Committee appointed Greg Dodd & Kathy Wilde of Safety Valve Consulting to continue the free OH&S Consultancy Service provided to the quarrying industry in South Australia. Earlier this year, the Committee commissioned a review of the past nine years of the service, and both employers and employees in the industry indicated that the service was valuable to them and should continue. Outcomes of the review also included some specific requests for the ongoing service. High profile requests related to inspections for specific hazards, assistance with hazard elimination or reduction solutions, plain language guidelines and checklists, general advice on OHS management, some basic environmental monitoring and the provision of on-site training and awareness for employees. An important aspect of the selection criteria was detailed industry knowledge and involvement and Greg & Kathy have both worked within the industry and provided consulting services to it for many years. Regional Meetings Since the last newsletter the annual regional meetings were held around the state. Most were well attended and participants appreciated the information presented about Health and Lifestyle by Corporate Health Group, also the new support for Health & Safety Reps being provided by Workcover's Workplace Liason Officers. The Video's that have been produced recently were also well received. If you haven't yet got your copy contact us to have them sent out to your site. (Manual Handling, Conveyor Safety and Mobile Plant). Manual Handling David Nery from Nery Ergonomics has a grant approved to provide an ergonomic hazard management program to 35 sites. The program involves an assessment of your site being done looking at job tasks performed and the risk associated with those tasks. Recommendations are made to rectify identified problems, this may include some employee training. If you would like to use this service please contact Nery Ergonomics on 8239 1517. MAQOHSC Committee The term of office for current committee members ended on the 12th December. Currently we are awaiting direction from the Minister regarding committee nominations. The amendment bill to OHS legislation currently in Parliament. If passed, this may mean major changes for OHS in this state as all the OHS functions of WorkCover and Workplace services will be brought together under the new Safework Authority. Workplace Services Workplace Services is currently developing an audit tool to assist small operators in the South Australian mining industry manage their health and safety responsibilities. The initial pilot of the customised mining industry tool has been completed and a formal program will be implemented shortly. It is expected that it will reach most mining operations throughout South Australia over the next year. Continuation of Health Surveillance Program Over the past two years MQOHSC has been funding free Health Assessments for all Mine and Quarry sites throughout South Australia. Corporate Health Group have been conducting the assessments, which include: Blood Cholesterol & Glucose Blood Pressure Body Composition Fitness Assessment Nutrition Profile Cardiac Risk Assessment Back Care Assessment Vision Hearing Lung Function All individual results are confidential and all assessments are voluntary. The feedback from employees and employers has been exceptional. So far the results have been very interesting. A comprehensive report for the first round of assessments will soon be available to show the Health and Well-being of your industry. We are very pleased to announce that MQOHSC will be funding the continuation of the program. All sites that have previously participated are welcome to have their staff reassessed. Those sites who are yet to take up the Health Assessments are also invited to have their staff go through this comprehensive health promotion free of charge. In addition to the Health Assessments a Corporate Health Group Doctor will also be visiting interested sites to conduct a Skin Screening Assessment. The experienced Doctor will look for any suspicious areas on the skin, particularly any Skin Cancers. Remember 2 in 3 Australians will develop a skin cancer, however they are treated successfully in over 95% of all cases, when they are detected in the early stages. If you would like more information on the service, or would like to be involved, please phone Corporate Health Group on 8354 2228. Dust Control The quarry big one DUST! Dust can be hazardous depending on: Chemical composition Dust particle size. Really fine dust, often invisible in the air, can deposit in the innermost parts of the lungs, reducing lung function and leading to disease. In quarrying and mining we are mostly concerned with dusts which contain crystalline silica (one of the most common substances in the earth's crust). How can dust exposure be controlled? 1. Reduce generation of dust get product right first time handle product efficiently handle product minimum number of times manage stockpile choose and use better equipment. 2. Extraction of dust at source 3. Dust suppression Water sprays: haul roads conveyors bins transfer points crusher discharges. 4. Dust Collection To be effective, requires: enclosures -minimum open areas effective filters regular maintenance regular and efficient disposal. 5. Dust containment enclosed plant covered conveyors individual enclosures. 6.Isolate and protect the operator only effective if: doors and windows are kept shut and dust kept out cleaned regularly. 7. Essential work practices to keep you protected vacuum rather than sweep wash down with water NEVER USE COMPRESSED AIR TO CLEAN UP use mechanical means to clean up spillage follow safe work procedures stop and think before that maintenance job - what steps can you take to minimise your dust exposure? report incidents - particularly unexpected discharges of high levels of dust minimise your personal dose when exposure is unavoidable by wearing an Approved Respirator. 8. Personal protective equipment Should be used as an interim protection measure until other controls can be implemented, in emergency situations or where other controls are not practicable. Don't be fooled by short, high exposures (health effects of dust are cumulative). Reduce your exposure by: washing your face and hands before eating, smoking etc shower before leaving the site leave dirty clothes at work for laundering limit the spread of dust through non-work areas (crib rooms, offices) don't eat or smoke in work area. Respirators get the RIGHT one for you and the job. be sure you are trained in how to use it. USE IT PROPERLY read the manufacturers instructions it must fit your face with a proper seal wearer must be clean-shaven replace if breathing becomes difficult - filter may be blocked up with dust only use Australian Standard approved respirators. Maintenance keep it clean (respirators are damaged by oil, direct sunlight, corrosive atmospheres). store in a dust proof container in an accessible place inspect it before and after use - check it for cracks, tears, distortion of the face piece, defective valves, missing straps. Limitations dust can settle on the inside of the mask if worn around the neck and be inhaled when the mask is put on change filters according to and accurate replacement schedule poor seal if face is not clean-shaven. WARNING -Wearing a damaged respirator is worse than not wearing one at all!! REMEMBER Respirators WILL ONLY PROTECT WHEN THEY ARE ACTUALLY BEING WORN