Document VG1z6mbmKjVmDZ6dxByEzgyOp

Department of Industry and Resources Safety, Health and Environment Division U/G VENTILATION MANAGEMENT HIF AUDIT - 17/06/2003 03:03:50 PM 1. VENTILATION PERSONNEL Point 1.1 Standard The manager has appointed an Underground Ventilation Officer for the mine. 1.2 The District Inspector has been notified in writing of the appointment. 1.3 The Underground Ventilation Officer is appropriately qualified. 1.4 The Underground Ventilation Officer has the authority to close down operations in areaa where inadequate ventilation is identified. 1.5 Mine Supervisors and operators receive basic mine ventilation training. 2. MONITORING EQUIPMENT Point Standard Guideline Intent: To ensure that a person is appointed by the Manager to be the Underground Ventilation Officer at the mine in accordance with MSI Reg 9.3(1) and Section 44. Personnel: Mine Manager and Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by examination of the letter of appointment and entry in record book. The letter of appointment should include the summary of responsibilities the area of responsibility and be signed with an acknowledgement of appointment. Intent: To ensure that the District Inspector has been informed in writing of the appointment. Personnel: Mine Manager and Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by examination of the letter of appointment and cross reference with Department files. Intent: To ensure that the Underground Ventilation Officer has the qualifications and experience to perform his stated duties in compliance with MSIA Reg 9.4. Personnel: Mine Manager and Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by interview. Intent: To verify that the U/G Ventilation Officer has the authority that is comensurate with the duties of the position. Personel: Registered Manager, Underground Manager and U/G Vent Officer. Method: Interview personnel, view position description for U/G Vent Officer and documentary records of surveys, inspections etc. associated with the U/G Vent Officers duties. Intent: To verify that persons involved in daily underground operations and activities are trained in the basics of underground mine ventilation. Personnel: Underground operatora and supervisors, Training Officers. Method: Interview personnel and view training documentation. Guideline Page 187 Department of Industry and Resources Safety, Health and Environment Division 2.1 The mine has ventilation instrumentation to conduct the required flow Intent: To ensure that the mine has equipment to carry out airflow measurement measurements. underground. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verity that the mine has air flow measurement equipment which may include: 1. Anemometer or air velocity device appropriate to the air velocities encountered. 2. Pitot tube. 3. Extension devices for measurement of large openings. 2.2 The mine has equipment to monitor oxygen and any toxic or asphyxiant Intent: To ensure that the mine has equipment to monitor oxygen and any toxic, gases anticipated to occur on the mine site. asphyxiant or flammable gases present at the mine. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verity that the mine has monitoring equipment which should include an Oxygen monitor and a methanometer and may include testing equipment for other gases such as: Carbon monoxide ,Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen oxide, Nitrogen dioxide,Sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, Ammonia etc. 2.3 All measuring equipment is calibrated and maintained to manufacturers Intent: To ensure that ventilation monitoring equipment is being maintained and specifications. calibrated in accordance with manufacturers specifications. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting the calibration certificates etc. 2.4 When ventilation or gas measuring equipment is sent for calibration or Intent: To ensure that the mine monitoring capability is maintained during repair, alternative equipment is made available. periods where equipment is sent away for calibration. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Interview personnel observe equipment. 2.5 A record is kept of each item of calibrated equipment that includes the Intent: To ensure that the mine has system in place to maintain equipment in latest date of calibration, the calibration factors and the next due date. calibration. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: View records. 2.6 A procedure exists to ensure that where indicator tubes are used, the tubes Intent: To ensure that the mine maintains indicator tubes within the used by use-by-date has not expired. date for each individual gas present at the mine. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Sight a sample of tubes. 3. VENTILATION RECORD KEEPING Point 3.1 Standard The mine has a ventilation log book. Guideline Intent: To ensure that the mine airflow measurements, airborne contaminants and gas measurements are recorded and kept up to date. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting that the ventilation records. Page 188 Department of Industry and Resources Safety, Health and Environment Division 3.2 The mine ventilation records indicate that testing occurs at the required Intent: To ensure that monitoring occurs in all operating areas at an intervals for ventilation, and fan surveys appropriate frequency as identified in MSIA Reg 9.5. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by examination of ventilation records: a) Primary Airflows - 3 months b) Primary fans 3 months After any major change in the circuit. 3.3 Each site air measurement is documented and retained at the mine. Intent: To ensure that air measurements taken at each ventilation station are documented and are available for examination or scrutiny Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: View ventilation field records. 3.4 Each entry in the ventilation record book is dated and signed. Intent: To ensure that each entry made is documented, dated and signed by the person making the entry. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by examination of ventilation records. 3.5 Each ventilation system has a diagram showing the flow balance. Intent: To ensure that the mine has a diagram available for each separate ventilation system underground. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting a diagram for each auxiliary ventilation circuit. This should show the link with the primary ventilation station. 3.6 There is a procedure for the reporting of defects within the ventilation Intent: To ensure that defects are brought to the manager's attention and that system and for the issuing of instructions to rectify those defects. instructions are issued to correct the defects. Personnel: Manager, Underground Ventilation Officer and mine personnel. Method: View records and procedures. 3.7 A copy of the current National Exposure Standards NoHSC:1003 is Intent: To ensure that the mine is in possession of the current Exposure available at the mine. standards for each contaminant. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting a copy of the Worksafe Australia Standard NOHSC:1003.' 3.8 Underground Ventilation Officer has a copy of the Mine Safety Inspection Intent: To ensure that the Underground Ventilation Officer is aware of the Act & Regs. duties, obligations and statutory responsibilities of current legislation. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting a copy of the current Mines Safety and Inspection Act and Regulations in the Underground Ventilation Officers room. 3.9 Mine ventilation costings are monitored and recorded. Intent: To verify that the individual cost elements of the mine ventilation function are established and recorded. Personnel: Underground Manager and U/G Ventilation Officer. Method: Interview personnel and view costing system records. 4. VENTILATION PLANS Point Standard Guideline Page 189 Department of Industry and Resources Safety, Health and Environment Division 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 The mine has ventilation plans which are updated at intervals not exceeding 3 months. Mine plans containing current ventilation and survey information are issued to the Mine Rescue Team. The direction and volume of air flows are clearly marked on plans. (Intake blue, Return - red) The position of vent stations are clearly marked on the plan. The position of air doors are clearly marked on the plan. The position of stoppings are clearly marked on the plan. The position of fans are clearly marked on the plan. The position of regulators are clearly marked on the plan. The position of all fresh air bases are clearly marked on the plan. The position of all refuge chambers are clearly marked on the plan. Intent: To ensure that each mine has an up to date Ventilation plan available at the mine in accordance with MSI Reg 9.5 and 9.28. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting the ventilation plan. Intent: To ensure that the mine has up to date plans of all ventilation circuits for use in an emergency. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer and Survey Department. Method: Verify by sighting plans. Intent: To ensure that the direction and volume of air currents are shown on the ventilation plan. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting primary and secondary ventilation plans. Intent: To ensure that the location and number of each ventilation survey station is clearly marked on the ventilation plans. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: View ventilation plans. Intent: To ensure that the location of air door is clearly marked on the plan. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: View ventilation plans. Intent: To ensure that the location of stopping is clearly marked on the ventilation plan. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: View ventilation plans. Intent: To ensure that the location of fan is clearly marked on the ventilation plans. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: View ventilation plans. Intent: to ensure that the location of regulator is clearly marked on the ventilation plans. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: View ventilation plans. Intent: To ensure that the location of all fresh air bases are clearly marked on the ventilation plans. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: View ventilation plans. Intent: To ensure that the location of all refuge chambers are clearly marked on the ventilation plans. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. The position of all telephones (including numbers) are clearly marked on the plan. Method: View ventilation plans. Intent: To ensure that the location of the telephones with their numbers are clearly marked on the ventilation plans. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: View ventilation plans. Page 190 Department of Industry and Resources Safety, Health and Environment Division 4.12 4.13 The position of all second means of egress are clearly marked on the plan. The position of fire extinguishers and water hydrants are clearly marked on the plan. Intent: To ensure that the location of all second means of egress are clearly marked on the ventilation plans. Personnel: Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: View ventilation plans. Intent: To ensure the location of all firefighting equipment is clearly marked on the ventilation plans. Personnel: Confirm by interview with the Underground Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting the primary and secondary ventilation plans. 5. AIR MEASUREMENT Point 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Standard Guideline Air velocity instrumentation is available to adequately measure the range of Intent: To ensure that the mine has a sufficient range of equipment to velocities encountered during volume surveys. measure the different velocities associated with primary and secondary ventilation. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify that the mine has equipment to measure low, medium and high velocities, e.g. a) low speed - smoke tubes b) Medium speed - anemometer c) High speed - pitot tube and inclined manometer. There is a written procedure for the measurement and recording of airflows. Intent: To ensure that measurement and recording of airflows are governed by a procedure. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: View procedure key elements of which should include: (i) All vehicle movement is stopped in the area. (ii) Air measurements are taken at right angles to the air flow. (iii) An average of four air velocities are taken by traverse or spot method. (iv) Where a traverse measurement is utilised the start of the traverse should be on alternate sides of the drive. (v) Where spot measurements are taken each measurement area does to exceed 1m2. (vi) The person taking the measurement does not allow the measuring device to traverse in a direct line between any person and the airflow. Ventilation stations are selected with regard to obtaining reliable velocity Intent: Self evident. reading. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting plans and a sample of the ventilation stations. The area of each ventilation station is determined by survey. Intent: To ensure that an accurate measurement of station areas is obtained. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting area calculations. The mine has carried out an assessment of the natural ventilation circuit Intent: To ensure that an assessment can be made of the effects of the natural ventilation circuit in the case of a primary fan failure. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting documentation. Page 191 Department of Industry and Resources Safety, Health and Environment Division 6.10 6.11 6.12 The installation of each primary fan is such that recirculation of air is prevented. The installation of auxiliary fan is such that recirculation of air is minimised. Fan selection is based on the required pressure/volume characteristics for the mining parameters and equipment to be used. Intent: To ensure that the primary fans do not recirculate. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by observation and checking records. Intent: To ensure that recirculation at auxiliary fans is minimised in compliance with MSIA Reg 9.16. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by inspection of fan installations and checking air flows. Intent: To ensure that the fan characteristics are compatible with expected duty. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting design calculations. 7. VENTILATING DEVICES Point 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 Standard Disused areas of the mine are equipped with stoppings to prevent leakage of ventilating air, Permanent stoppings are of robust construction. Stoppings are inspected regularly. Air doors installed at the mine are of robust construction. Air doors installed at the mine are designed and built to be self closing where practicable. Notices are displayed indicating whether doors should be left open or closed. Guideline Intent: To ensure that disused areas are sealed off where leakage could occur. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by viewing plans and old areas. Intent: To ensure that permanent stoppings built at the mine are of robust construction capable of withstanding airblast, ground movement or stresses applied to it. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting sample of permanent stoppings. Permanent stoppings should be made of non flammable material. Intent: To ensure that the stoppings are examined where there is potential for damage to occur such as blast vibration, ground movement or vehicle movement etc. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting sample of permanent stoppings. View records of inspection completed by a Shift Boss or Ventilation Officer etc. Intent: To ensure that air doors built at the mine are of robust construction capable of withstanding airblast, ground movement or stresses applied to it etc. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting sample of air doors. Air doors should be made of non flammable material. Intent: To ensure that all air doors are self closing to prevent a short circuit of airflow in the mine. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting a sample of air doors. Intent: To ensure that adequate notices are displayed on each door to instruct each person whether the door should be left open or kept closed . Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting a sample of air doors. Page 193 Department of Industry and Resources Safety, Health and Environment Division 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 Air doors are inspected regularly. Regulators installed at the mine are of robust construction. Regulators installed at the mine are provided with a means to prevent tampering. Regulators are free from obstruction and easily accessible. Regulators are inspected regularly. Any change to a regulator setting is recorded in the ventilation log book. Where a brattice is installed to control airflow in a workplace it is inspected on each shift for damage and leakage. Intent: To ensure that the air doors are examined where there is potential for damage to occur such as blast vibration, ground movement or vehicle movement etc. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting sample of air doors. View records of inspection completed by a Shift Boss or Ventilation Officer etc. Intent: To ensure that Regulators provided at the mine are capable of withstanding ground movement and any stresses applied to it. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting a sample of regulators and make sure that they are made of strong durable material. Intent: To ensure that regulators provided at the mine cannot be tampered or altered except by an authorised person. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting a sample of regulators. Intent: To ensure that regulators can be operated with ease and are accessible. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting a sample of regulators. Intent: To ensure that regulators are examined on a regular basis to prevent any short circuit affecting personal safety. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by viewing a record of inspection. Intent: To ensure that all changes are documented in the ventilation log book. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by sighting a sample of regulators and examine the mine ventilation records. Intent: To ensure that brattice devices are examined on a shift by shift basis to ensure that ventilation is maintained in the workplace. Personnel: Ventilation Officer, supervisors and U/G Manager etc. Method: Verify by interview, view shift records etc. 8. VENTILATION CONSIDERATIONS Point 8.1 Standard Guideline There are no unnecessary activities in the vicinity of the intake airways that Intent: To ensure that no contaminants are drawn into the mine from the generate dust or fumes. surface. Personnel: Ventilation Officer. Method: Verify by inspecting each intake access into the mine to ascertain that no work is being carried out which would have an adverse affect on the underground ventilation. Page 194