Document DV0ExKZNv4BDrvrZq4Mpz9nn

FILE NAME Colonial Sugar Refinery CSR DATE 1961 Nov 6 DOC CSR210 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION Govt Inspection Results - Wittenoom Dangerous Dust Menace o. t . , GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA MINES DEPARTMENT KALGOORLIE '" '" Le The Manager Australian Blue Asbestos Pty Ltd. WITTEN OM 6th November 1961 ---- Dear Sir O proved Inspections and tests made at your mine have that dust prevalent to your Mining and killing Sections threatens or tends to the bodily injury of persons in or about your mine This dust menace is also aggravated by dust arising from areas built up from Mill tailings re Medical examinations mployed on your properties at is present of workers who Wittemoon have either are shown that employed or have been a dangerous dust menasice a Inspector As you are aware a party comprising myself the District Inspector . of lines for Ventilation and the District Inspector and the Workman's completed of Mines for the West Filbarra Goldfields have now between us inspections and examinations of your mine workings @ e This party was brought by me to Wittencom to examine the progrESS of your dust control projects to obtain information of the present overall position and to impress on you as Registered Manager and Senior Representative . of Australian Blue Asbestos Pty Ltd at Wittezon the extremely serious and dangerous position which is present extremely , serious , fi I have noted the work carried out apparently and appreciate that you have with attempt to control the dust menice by you and your departmental officers limited resources continued to Our examinations have shown that notwithys ourtca onn tinduoi usnwog rk |. the dust menahn ascne ot declined and I therefore must conf myiver rbm al requests as follows : By of 22 the Mines Act No. 54 we 1. Secti Seco tin on of Regulation of 1946 I request *, oe that immediate and complete work and methods be undertaken and continued to - te the dust menance on and in your Kining Teusements in eradicate the Hammersly Banges I mist also refer you to Section 49 of the mid Act which includes " + he shall not use anything or work in a place that is unsafe or apparently unsafe es will as , em If the request is not immediately and satisfactorily attended I will have no alternative other than to declare the mine and ungafe ON 1. The requirment of Regulation 150 of the Mines Regulation Ast and Regulations must be fulfilled'in it's entirety Referring to section 1 of this Regulation I now inform you thats a Whilst the present method of underground Hining contimes water jets must be used at all times at all places where dust is places include generated These all faces after firing all scraper ways when in use all chites ore passes and ore transfer points b all placjeesta Similar must also be installed and used in the Milling Sections at where dust is escaping into the air and where the installagtion of same will not interefere with treatment areas built Dust them arising from tailings at the tailings bin tailings dump and all with mill tailings is a guisance to persons employed on and in their vicinity and detrimental to their health and such places must be constantly sprayed or sealed to effectively lay the dust a Sle PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT 104511004510 eee is and 3. thuch dust still escaping from the Mill sections from Kill Dust control unit exhausts This dust is polluting the atmosphere entering the Mill buildings and entering the mine workings It is apparent that the present operation of your dust control unit is inefficient or insufficient If work is not put in hand immediately to prevent all dust escaping into the atmosphere I will be reluctantly compelled to take the action to provent men being exposed to unhealthy conditions necessary wenee I reiterate my offer of assistance in overcoming this dust menace and whilst refusing to become entangled in domestic matters I must advise sepe n e you that in my opinion the menace will not be eliminated whilst your present method of underground mining continues and until a eanse new methog completely of dust control and prevention as is undertaken in the Me milling sections ee undertakenewe 6 I will be maintaining close contact with the position and will not hesitate to take the necessary drastic action if progress is not quick and continOLLE : ( C hy om ral : % oY