Document akOO6Jg5MMQVEB7Lva7pJKJR

SIMRAC NEWSLETTER Issue 1, 2001 March 2001 - June 2001 Private Bag X63, Braamfontein 2017, South Africa SIMRAC Annual Research Programme 2001-2002 Current research projects Research agencies currently contracted to SIMRAC are ISSI; CSIR Miningtek; Grootegeluk Mine; Advanced Consulting; NCOH; Aurum Health; and the Universities of Pretoria, Cape Town and the Witwatersrand. The following gold and platinum, coal and other mines, and occupational health specific projects are in progress, at a cost of R 12.365 million: GAP601 Experimental & theoretical investigations of in mining induced fracturing; GAP601 Experimental investigation of in mining induced fracturing; GAP603 Fundamental aspects of the integration of seismic monitoring with numerical modelling; GAP709 The use of peak particle velocities to excavation surfaces; GAP710 Underground verification of deflection performance of fibre reinforced shotcrete; GAP722 Methodology & computer program for applying improved, inelastic ERR; GAP725 Development of a design procedure for dynamic arrestor strips (Bursary); GAP726 Development of a vibration absorber for rockdrill vibration attenuation (Bursary); COL701 Best practice inertisation strategy for inbye area of underground fiery collieries; COL713 Combustion of backfilled areas on coal mines; HEALTH 612 PPE chapter in health handbook; HEALTH 701 Provision of preventive therapy against tuberculosis for South African mineworkers; HEALTH 702 Assess the incidence and work-related risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders; A In This Issue SIMRAC Research Programme 2001-2002 Calendar of Events SIMRAC Research Levies 2001 Project GEN 606 - The effects of Fulco. Prestigious awards for SIMRAC research HEALTH 703 Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in South African gold mines; HEALTH 704 Evaluation of real-time dust monitoring instruments for personal exposure assessment; HEALTH 705 The use of sputum screening as active case detection method of tuberculosis; HEALTH 711 Nervous system effects of environmental manganese exposure on mineworkers; HEALTH 712 Prevalence of alcohol and substance use and its relationship with H&S on South African mines; GEN524 Effectiveness of annual and 6-monthly screening for TB; GEN705 Ranging open path remote flammable gas detection/monitoring device. New Projects for 2001 Gold and Platinum Twenty-seven new gold and platinum projects have been recommended at a cost of R 14.458 million. Projects recommended are: GAP 801 Finalisation of the design, testing and commercialisation of the quiet rock drilling system; GAP 802 Quantification of dust generating sources in gold and platinum mines; GAP 803 Develop discard criteria for non-spin wire ropes; GAP 804 The role of illumination in reducing risk to health and safety; GAP 806 An investigation into the conditions under which HFC 134a may become explosive; GAP 810 Performance of containment support under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions; GAP 811 Criteria for preconditioning at varying stoping widths in different geotechnical areas; GAP 813a The design and development of an effective support system for tabular stopes; GAP 813b The design and development of an effective support system for tabular stopes; GAP 816a Review of past research areas - Gully and stope support; GAP 816b Review of past research areas Seismology & mine layout design; GAP 816c Review of past research areas; Continued on page 2 Newsletter Page 1 CALENDAR OF EVENTS MEETINGS* Mine Health & Safety Council: 23/03/2001; 20/04/2001; SIMRAC: SIMCOM: 9 April 2001; 19 June 2001 SIMGAP: 12 April 2001; 20 June 2001 SIMHEALTH: 11 April 2001; 16 May 2001; 13 June 2001 SIMENG: 9 May 2001 SIMROCK: 8 May 2001 MANCOM: 12 April 2001 * Subject to change Start-up Project Presentations will be held on 23 April 2001 (Engineering projects) and 24 and 25 April 2001 (Rock Engineering Projects) Contact Alex Gumbie or Duncan Adams at 011 358 9180 for more information. continued... Occupational Health Projects Nine occupational health projects have been recommended at a cost of R 4.986. The following projects are suggested: Health 801 Analysis of emergency care provided for injured miners in South African mines; Health 802 Feasibility of oto-acoustic emission (OAE) methods for screening early hearing impairment; Health 803 Guidelines & materials for the technology transfer of x-ray reading skills; Health 804 Identification of health hazards relating to chronic exposure to multiple chemicals; Health 805 Development of percentile charts for semi-qualitative tracking of lung functions over time; Health 806 Technology transfer programme pertaining to noise and vibration; Health 808 Technology transfer of SIMRAC research to enhance clinical performance; Continued on page 3... continued... SIMRAC Annual Research Programme 2001-2002 GAP 816d Review of past research areas; GAP 817 An integrated technology transfer programme in rockfalls thrust; GAP 818 Realistic dynamic testing of stope-face support systems; GAP 820 Infrared thermography of loose hangingwalls; GAP 821 Assessment of seismic risk in the Bushveld complex platinum mines; GAP 822 Assessing & evaluating acoustic techniques for 'making safe' Groundwork; GAP 828 Criteria for small span/small pillar concept as a safe mining method in deep mines; GAP 836 An investigation into the effects of steel wire rope specimen length on the breaking force; GAP 845 Interaction between ground motion & ground support in hanging- and footwalls; GAP 846 Rock mechanics aspects of potholes & their contribution to poor ground conditions; GAP 849 Use of short tendons for stope support under rockfall and rockburst conditions; GAP 851 Trial training in strata control for underground workers; GAP 852 Mine-wide continuous closure monitoring system; GAP 857 Hazard recognition learning programmes in the transportation thrust area; GAP 858 Application of indirect stress measurement techniques (non-gauge-based technology). Coal and 'Other' mines Projects Seven coal and 'other' mines specific projects were recommended at a cost of R 1.418 million. The following projects are recommended: COL 802 Survey of horizontal stresses from available measurements and mapping; COL 807 Dust control for high seam longwall mines; COL 810 The impact of geotechnical factors on the secondary extraction of coal; COL 812 Rating system for coal mine roofs; COL 814 Integrated design and planning of underground coal mining processes; COL 815 Developing industry guidelines for the design of pillars in coal mines; COL 816 Specifications for a portable counting seismometer Generic Projects Two generic projects were recommended at a cost of R 0.770 million. Included are: GEN 801 Investigation into improved systems for 'making safe' and GEN 810 Development of a smart rockbolt for underground monitoring operations. Newsletter Page 2 continued.. .SIMRAC Annual Research Programme 2001- 2002 Health 809 Review of occupational health services provided in the small and medium mining industries; Health 817 Pilot study to assess heat tolerance of female miners; Health 824 Determination of potential carcinogenic effects on underground coal miners exposed to diesel fumes. It is envisaged that the total cost for the SIMRAC Research Programme for 2001 will be in the region of R 33.997 million. Table 1 Summary of research projects 2001 Sector Gazetted Topics Proposals received Proposals unsolicited Projects in progress New projects Total GAP 8 COL & OTH 2 Health 4 GEN 5 64 26 8 29 37 20 12 2 7 9 27 14 7 11 18 30 18 2 2 4 SIMRAC research levies 2001 How are SIMRAC levies calculated? A safety risk is established in terms of Regulation 35.1.1 (a), (b), (c), (d), and (f), according to which a statistical number of 'days lost' is allocated to each reportable mining accident. The statistical 'days lost' is based on the severity of the injuries sustained by accident victims. The established 'days lost' could vary between 14 and 6000 days depending on the severity of an accident. SIMRAC levies are calculated separately for each mining sector, namely for gold and platinum, coal and other mines. No cross-subsidisation occurs. The following formula applies: Annual Levy = SIMRAC Approved Budget 'Days lost' over a 3-year period The 2001 Levy calculation includes the accident statistics, and hence 'days lost', for the period 1 July 1997 to 30 June 2000. The following levies apply (VAT excluded): ...continued on page 4 Project Launch: GEN 606 A feedback session was held on 20 March 2001, to inform employers, union members and Department Minerals and Energy officials of the results of project GEN 606 `The effects of Full Calendar Operations and other non standard working time arrangements on underground injury frequency and severity in SA mines'. Dr Peter Lewis, who conducted the work, explained that, although 67% of mines responded on his questionnaire, in-depth information could not be obtained as a result of the lack of suitable data. The results are therefore not representative of the South African Mining industry. SIMHEALTH has recommended proceeding with longitudinal studies. not In his response to the report on GEN 606, Mr Derek Baker of the Department Minerals and Energy commented on the conclusion in the report that the project outcome was unsuccessful, in view of the apparent lack of supporting information in the SAMRASS database. Mr Baker commented as follows on the purpose, function and limitations of the SAMRASS database: Function SAMRASS was established as a computer database in 1986 to replace the previous paper system of accident statistical records. The first-generation database was very simple and provided fundamental number-driven statistics. An upgrade of the database took place in 1992, in which additional fields of information such as the name, ID or Passport number, type of injury, body part injured and others were included. The system became a bit easier to use and supplied more background information in addition to the statistical information supplied. New accident reporting regulations and forms were published in February 2001, and the database was again upgraded to cater for additional fields of information and improved .continued on page 4 Newsletter Page 3 continued...SIMRAC research levies 2001 GAP: R2,68 per 'days lost' COL: R1.79 per 'days lost' OTH: R0. 44 per 'days lost' A "Generic" Levy is based on the number of employees at each mine. The levy is established by dividing the SIMRAC research budget for generic and occupational health research, by the number of employees in all mining sectors, for each particular year. The amount for 2001 is R24.38 per employee. Relief for smaller mines If the total calculated levy amount for a mine is less than R500 per year, no levy is payable. In practice this means that a mine employing less than 18 workers and at which no reportable accident had occurred over a period of 3 years, will not pay any levy for a specific year. When are levies payable? Levies are payable in four equal amounts at the end of March, June, September and December of each year. Mines are provided with a detailed account of all reported accidents that occurred during the period for which a specific levy is calculated. After verifying the report by representatives of the mine and the regional office of the Department Minerals and Energy and making corrections, a final levy is calculated. Mines receive invoices on a quarterly basis. For more information, please contact Cheryl Jones at 27 11 358 9180 continued...GEN 606 Launch classification systems. New fields include persons disabled; working hours or overtime; normal workplace; probable cause of accident; administrative fine; contractor or casual employee; normal duties; date of last shift worked; date resumed work; and task and activity being carried out by injured. Purpose The purpose of SAMRASS is to provide statistical information regarding accidents and injuries that have occurred on South African mines. This information is used to identify trends and types of accidents and, to a limited extent, to assist researchers. It is merely a tool that can be used to assist the industry in identifying trends for hazard identification and risk assessment, as well as fulfilling the basic function of supplying statistical information. Mr Baker suggested that SIMRAC submit a request to the Mine Health and Safety Council to further amend the recently published regulations and forms. Prestigious awards for SIMRAC research During November 2000, the SABS Design Institute Prototype Awards 2000 were awarded to Rudolf Ottermann and Danie Burger of the Laboratory for Advanced Engineering of the University of Pretoria. It was awarded for the SIMRAC research Project GAP 638 'Underwind and overwind protection mechanisms for improved mining safety'. The Rocha Medal has been awarded since 1982 by the International Society for Rock Mechanics, in recognition of notable doctoral work by young researchers in the field of rock mechanics. Francois Malan and Arno Daehnke both received the award during 2000 and 2001, for work conducted under SIMRAC Projects GAP 029, GAP 332 and GAP 601 by CSIR Miningtek. The projects were completed under project leadership of John Napier (CSIR Miningtek). SIMPROSS produces the SIMRAC Newsletter triennially. For further information please contact Elsie Zinsser, Private Bag X 63, Braamfontein 2017. Email: ezinsser@simpross.co.za Contributions are most welcome. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced without prior permission from the SIMPROSS Research Manager. Telephone 27 11 358 9185, Fax 27 11 403 1821. Newsletter Page 4