❓ A parliamentary question regarding safety breaches at the Raleigh Mine, focusing on the condition of a charge cage and kettle. The Minister acknowledges potential breaches and outlines enforcement options, while affirming regular unannounced inspections.
AnsweredQoN 2277Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Raleigh Mine owned by Barrick Australia located near Kalgoorlie-Boulder with senior management from Mr Evan Spencer, Mr Cullum Winn and Mr Ryan Burns, and pictures taken 10 February 2010, available for viewing at www
http://www.robinchapple.org.au/node/460
[file: 2010-02-06 Charge cage and Kettle.pdf], of a charge cage held by ratchet straps, kettle with no adequate earth, earth strap not fitted or in good working condition and no pressure release valve on the kettle, and I ask -
(1) Does the Minister consider that these pictures of a charge cage held by ratchet straps, kettle with no adequate earth, earth strap not fitted or in good working condition and no pressure release valve on the kettle as being compliant with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1989
and
Regulations 1995
?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), why?
(4) Can the Minister explain the importance of a charge cage being in good working order, with earth straps fitted and a pressure release valve on the kettle in the mining industry?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Can the minister explain the known safety consequences for a mine of not having a working charge cage, with earth straps fitted in working condition and a valve on the kettle?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) What are the options available to the Department of Mines and Petroleum for dealing with any breaches of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and
Regulations 1995
at this mine?
(9) With regards to (8), what option does the Minister or the Department intend to exercise should breaches be discovered?
(10) Will the Minister ensure that the DMP inspectorate makes an unannounced visit without prior warning to management of this underground mine to ensure that all of the equipment within the mine is compliant with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and
Regulations1995
to ensure that this type of equipment is either fixed immediately or replaced, and that these types of issues are not reoccurring within the mine which contributes to an death or serious accident?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
http://www.robinchapple.org.au/node/460
[file: 2010-02-06 Charge cage and Kettle.pdf], of a charge cage held by ratchet straps, kettle with no adequate earth, earth strap not fitted or in good working condition and no pressure release valve on the kettle, and I ask -
(1) Does the Minister consider that these pictures of a charge cage held by ratchet straps, kettle with no adequate earth, earth strap not fitted or in good working condition and no pressure release valve on the kettle as being compliant with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1989
and
Regulations 1995
?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), why?
(4) Can the Minister explain the importance of a charge cage being in good working order, with earth straps fitted and a pressure release valve on the kettle in the mining industry?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Can the minister explain the known safety consequences for a mine of not having a working charge cage, with earth straps fitted in working condition and a valve on the kettle?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) What are the options available to the Department of Mines and Petroleum for dealing with any breaches of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and
Regulations 1995
at this mine?
(9) With regards to (8), what option does the Minister or the Department intend to exercise should breaches be discovered?
(10) Will the Minister ensure that the DMP inspectorate makes an unannounced visit without prior warning to management of this underground mine to ensure that all of the equipment within the mine is compliant with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and
Regulations1995
to ensure that this type of equipment is either fixed immediately or replaced, and that these types of issues are not reoccurring within the mine which contributes to an death or serious accident?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 May 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
28 days
1. If the ANFO kettle shown in the pictures was to be used in the apparent condition shown in the photographs, it would be in breach of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act regulations.
2. .The
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
regulations require that such equipment is fit for purpose and maintained in good working order.
3. Refer to response to question 1.
4. When operating this type of charge up equipment there's potential for a static charge to be built up. As it is a pressure vessel there is also a build up of internal pressure. When loading explosives such a charge or excessive pressure may be hazardous as this situation could cause a premature explosion. The pressure gauge allows the operator to ensure that the device is operating at the correct pressure. The earth strap allows the equipment to dissipate the static charge before it can accumulate to dangerous levels.
5. Not applicable.
6. Refer to response to question 4.
7. Not applicable.
8. The Act and regulations provide a range of enforcement tools. These include a verbal request, the imposition of a notice, and a prosecution.
9. The enforcement powers under the legislation are exercised by inspectors appointed under that legislation. Where prima facie evidence of a breach is found and there is satisfaction of 'public good' tests prosecution of a company or individuals will always be considered following the State Solicitor's advice in favour of such enforcement action.
10. The officers of the Department regularly make unannounced site inspections at all mine sites under its regulation.
11. Not applicable.
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2. .The
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
regulations require that such equipment is fit for purpose and maintained in good working order.
3. Refer to response to question 1.
4. When operating this type of charge up equipment there's potential for a static charge to be built up. As it is a pressure vessel there is also a build up of internal pressure. When loading explosives such a charge or excessive pressure may be hazardous as this situation could cause a premature explosion. The pressure gauge allows the operator to ensure that the device is operating at the correct pressure. The earth strap allows the equipment to dissipate the static charge before it can accumulate to dangerous levels.
5. Not applicable.
6. Refer to response to question 4.
7. Not applicable.
8. The Act and regulations provide a range of enforcement tools. These include a verbal request, the imposition of a notice, and a prosecution.
9. The enforcement powers under the legislation are exercised by inspectors appointed under that legislation. Where prima facie evidence of a breach is found and there is satisfaction of 'public good' tests prosecution of a company or individuals will always be considered following the State Solicitor's advice in favour of such enforcement action.
10. The officers of the Department regularly make unannounced site inspections at all mine sites under its regulation.
11. Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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