❓ A WA parliamentary question investigates a fly rock incident at a mine, focusing on safety protocols, exclusion zones, and the Department's responsibilities. The Minister provides some answers but defers to the operating company for specific details on material tonnage and explosives used.
AnsweredQoN 2959Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to incident number 524 concerning fly rock reported under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 -
(1) Can the Minister identify the mine site at which this incident occurred and the date on which it occurred?
(2) Is it correct that fly rock landed 13 metres from where a blast guard was stationed some 600 metres from the blast site?
(3) If no to (3), why not?
(4) Can the Minister state and identify the radius in metres if any of the blasting exclusion zone used at this mine site?
(5) If no to (5), why not?
(6) Can the Minister state what was the radius of the blasting exclusion zone that the Department had determined at this mining operation and what was the justification for this radius?
(7) If no to (7), why not?
(8) Can the Minister state why was the blast guard stationed 600 metres from the site?
(9) If no to (9), why not?
(10) Can the Minister state what tonnage of material was blasted in this incident?
(11) If no to (11), why not?
(12) Can the Minister state how much explosives were used for this blast which resulted in this incident?
(13) If no to (13), why not?
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 -
(1) Can the Minister identify the mine site at which this incident occurred and the date on which it occurred?
(2) Is it correct that fly rock landed 13 metres from where a blast guard was stationed some 600 metres from the blast site?
(3) If no to (3), why not?
(4) Can the Minister state and identify the radius in metres if any of the blasting exclusion zone used at this mine site?
(5) If no to (5), why not?
(6) Can the Minister state what was the radius of the blasting exclusion zone that the Department had determined at this mining operation and what was the justification for this radius?
(7) If no to (7), why not?
(8) Can the Minister state why was the blast guard stationed 600 metres from the site?
(9) If no to (9), why not?
(10) Can the Minister state what tonnage of material was blasted in this incident?
(11) If no to (11), why not?
(12) Can the Minister state how much explosives were used for this blast which resulted in this incident?
(13) If no to (13), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
30 November 2005
Responded by
Minister for Fisheries representing the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection
Response time
13 days
(2) Yes. (3) Not applicable. (4) 600 metres for this type of blast (9 metres of explosive and 7.5 metres of stemming per hole). However an additional hole, 3 metres depth, was tied into the shot and the risk of fly rock from this hole was not identified. (5) Not applicable. (6) No. (7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(3) Not applicable. (4) 600 metres for this type of blast (9 metres of explosive and 7.5 metres of stemming per hole). However an additional hole, 3 metres depth, was tied into the shot and the risk of fly rock from this hole was not identified. (5) Not applicable. (6) No. (7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(4) 600 metres for this type of blast (9 metres of explosive and 7.5 metres of stemming per hole). However an additional hole, 3 metres depth, was tied into the shot and the risk of fly rock from this hole was not identified. (5) Not applicable. (6) No. (7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(5) Not applicable. (6) No. (7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(6) No. (7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(3) Not applicable. (4) 600 metres for this type of blast (9 metres of explosive and 7.5 metres of stemming per hole). However an additional hole, 3 metres depth, was tied into the shot and the risk of fly rock from this hole was not identified. (5) Not applicable. (6) No. (7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(4) 600 metres for this type of blast (9 metres of explosive and 7.5 metres of stemming per hole). However an additional hole, 3 metres depth, was tied into the shot and the risk of fly rock from this hole was not identified. (5) Not applicable. (6) No. (7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(5) Not applicable. (6) No. (7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(6) No. (7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(7) This is not the responsibility of DOCEP. It is the responsibility of the person intending to fire the blast to ensure that persons who may be injured by the blasting have been warned of the impending blast and have taken adequate shelter or have left the area. (Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 - Regulation 8.26). It is the responsibility of the employer to provide systems of work so that as far as practicable employees are not exposed to hazards. (Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - Section9(1)(a). (8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(8) That was the distance determined to be safe by the Blast Co-ordinator. (9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(9) Not applicable. (10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(10) No. (11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(11) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the tonnage of material blasted. (12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(12) No. (13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
(13) This information is not available from the records of DOCEP. I refer the Hon Member to the operating company who may have records of the quantity of explosives used for this blast.
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