❓ WA Parliamentary Question concerning toxic substances and occupational health at Barrick Gold's Raleigh and Kanowna Belle Mines. The Minister provides detailed regulations and procedures for monitoring and controlling hazardous substances.
AnsweredQoN 2701Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Barrick Kanowna operations, owned and operated by Barrick Gold, the Raleigh Mine and the Kanowna Belle Mine, and ask -
(1) Can the Minister state the specific types and actual amounts of the following, -
(a) toxic substances;
(b) poisonous substances;
(c) chemicals;
(d) hazardous substances;
(e) toxic gases;
(f) asphyxiant gases;
(g) poisonous gases; and
(h) any other substance or gas, that poses a risk or a hazard to the occupational health of employees in the mine that are contained in the ore body, and/or produced by mining operations of the ore body that is being mined in the both Raleigh Mine, and the Kanowna Belle Mine?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) With regards to (1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) ,can the Minister state the maximum allowable limits that apply, stating and quoting from the relevant sections of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) With regards to (1) and (3), can the Minister state and quote from the relevant sections of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
what policies and procedures are in place to ensure the occupational health of all employees working in underground mines in Western Australia concerning to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) being monitored and controlled during mining operations when they are contained in the ore body of a mine?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) With regards to questions (1) and (3) above, can the Minister state and quote from the relevant policies and procedures put in place by the resident manager, the manager of mining, the occupational health and safety manager of the above referred operations to ensure compliance with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
the occupational health of all employees working in underground mines in Western Australia concerning to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) being monitored and controlled during mining operations when they are contained in the ore body of a mine?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Can the Minister state how many physical thorough inspections have taken place by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) inspectorate at the Raleigh mine, and the Kanowna Belle mine in the last five years?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Were any complaints/concerns recorded, both on the internal reporting system including in the Safety Toolbox Meeting Minutes Book and/or with the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), concerning to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) in the last five years concerning either the Raleigh mine or the Kanowna Belle mine?
(12) If yes to (11), -
(a) how many complaints/concerns were received by management of the company;
(b) on what date was each complaint/concern received;
(c) what specifically was each complaint/concern;
(d) what was done by the management of the company to resolve each issue; and
(e) how long did each issue take to resolve?
(13) In relation to (11), -
(a) how many complaints/concerns were received by DMP inspectorate;
(b) on what date was each complaint/concern received;
(c) what specifically was done by the DMP inspectorate to address each issue that was raised; and
(d) on what date was each issue resolved?
(14) With regards to (1), (3), (5) and (7), how many physical audits have been conducted in the last five years by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) inspectorate to ensure compliance of, -
(a) the maximum allowable limits of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) in (3);
(b) the relevant policies and procedures referred to in (5) and (7) in both the Raleigh and Kanowna Belle Mines, on what specific date each audit was conducted and what were the results for each audit?
(15) With regards to (1), (3, (5) and (7) , can the Minister state the maximum penalty for breaches of each specific section of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
referred to?
(16) If no to (15), why not?
(17) With regards to question (15) above, during these audits or at any other time have any breaches of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
been identified in regards to (1), (3) ,(5) and (7)?
(18) If yes to (17), what specifically were those breaches, and will the resident manager, or any other responsible person at Barrick Kanowna, be prosecuted for these breaches?
(19) If no to (18), why not?
(1) Can the Minister state the specific types and actual amounts of the following, -
(a) toxic substances;
(b) poisonous substances;
(c) chemicals;
(d) hazardous substances;
(e) toxic gases;
(f) asphyxiant gases;
(g) poisonous gases; and
(h) any other substance or gas, that poses a risk or a hazard to the occupational health of employees in the mine that are contained in the ore body, and/or produced by mining operations of the ore body that is being mined in the both Raleigh Mine, and the Kanowna Belle Mine?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) With regards to (1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) ,can the Minister state the maximum allowable limits that apply, stating and quoting from the relevant sections of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) With regards to (1) and (3), can the Minister state and quote from the relevant sections of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
what policies and procedures are in place to ensure the occupational health of all employees working in underground mines in Western Australia concerning to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) being monitored and controlled during mining operations when they are contained in the ore body of a mine?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) With regards to questions (1) and (3) above, can the Minister state and quote from the relevant policies and procedures put in place by the resident manager, the manager of mining, the occupational health and safety manager of the above referred operations to ensure compliance with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
the occupational health of all employees working in underground mines in Western Australia concerning to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) being monitored and controlled during mining operations when they are contained in the ore body of a mine?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Can the Minister state how many physical thorough inspections have taken place by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) inspectorate at the Raleigh mine, and the Kanowna Belle mine in the last five years?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Were any complaints/concerns recorded, both on the internal reporting system including in the Safety Toolbox Meeting Minutes Book and/or with the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), concerning to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) in the last five years concerning either the Raleigh mine or the Kanowna Belle mine?
(12) If yes to (11), -
(a) how many complaints/concerns were received by management of the company;
(b) on what date was each complaint/concern received;
(c) what specifically was each complaint/concern;
(d) what was done by the management of the company to resolve each issue; and
(e) how long did each issue take to resolve?
(13) In relation to (11), -
(a) how many complaints/concerns were received by DMP inspectorate;
(b) on what date was each complaint/concern received;
(c) what specifically was done by the DMP inspectorate to address each issue that was raised; and
(d) on what date was each issue resolved?
(14) With regards to (1), (3), (5) and (7), how many physical audits have been conducted in the last five years by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) inspectorate to ensure compliance of, -
(a) the maximum allowable limits of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) in (3);
(b) the relevant policies and procedures referred to in (5) and (7) in both the Raleigh and Kanowna Belle Mines, on what specific date each audit was conducted and what were the results for each audit?
(15) With regards to (1), (3, (5) and (7) , can the Minister state the maximum penalty for breaches of each specific section of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
referred to?
(16) If no to (15), why not?
(17) With regards to question (15) above, during these audits or at any other time have any breaches of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
been identified in regards to (1), (3) ,(5) and (7)?
(18) If yes to (17), what specifically were those breaches, and will the resident manager, or any other responsible person at Barrick Kanowna, be prosecuted for these breaches?
(19) If no to (18), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 October 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
35 days
(1) - (2) Refer to Parliamentary Question 2516
(3)
It is necessary to specify the substance or gas in order
to state the maximum allowable limit.
The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 (MSIR) refer to particular substances and gases and set maximum limits allowable for these substances. Examples would be MSIR Regulation 9.9, (2), which limits materials used in abrasive sand blasting to no more than 5% (by weight) of crystalline silica and no more than 1% (by weight) of arsenic, beryllium, lead, cadmium, nickel, antimony, cobalt, chromium or tin.
Also, MSIR Regulation 9.11 limits the concentration of respirable quartz to 0.2 milligrams per cubic metre of air and respirable amorphous silica to 2.0 milligrams per cubic metre of air. This regulation also limits respirable coal dust to no more than 3.0 milligrams per cubic metre of air and limits the content of oxygen in mine workplace air to no less than 18% by volume.
MSIR Regulation 9.29 limits the concentration of methane in the mine atmosphere to no more than 12500 ppm (or 1.25% by volume).
A further example would be MSIR Regulation 10.54 (2), which requires that the level of carbon monoxide in undiluted diesel exhaust emissions be no more that 2000 ppm and oxides of nitrogen be no more than 1800 ppm. This subsequently reduces to maximums of 1500 ppm carbon monoxide and 1000 ppm oxides of nitrogen.
In addition to the MSIR Regulations which refer specifically to allowable concentrations of toxins, poisons, chemicals, toxic gases, asphyxiant gases and poisonous gases, the maximum allowable concentrations of other substances would be sourced from publications such as the National Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment (NOHSC: 1003).
Furthermore, it is a requirement of MSIR Regulations 7.21 and 7.25 that a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) be available for all hazardous substances in use at the mine. The details of allowable concentrations and exposure limits are likely to be included in such a document.
With regard to maximum allowable limits of toxins, poisons, chemicals, toxic gases, asphyxiant gases and poisonous gases, exposure time is also a factor to be considered. Airborne contaminant substances have a maximum concentration (known as the PEAK exposure standard), a short term exposure standard (STEL, exposure over 15 minute period), and a time weighted average (TWA, exposure over an 8 hour shift). The PEAK, STEL, and TWA for each substance will be different and only by consulting publications such as the NOHSC: 1003 will these be known.
To further complicate matters, some toxins are likely to enter the human body other than as airborne contaminants. The only way to measure the degree of exposure to these is by conducting biological monitoring to determine the concentration present in soft tissues and organs. The allowable limits for these concentrations vary.
(4) Not applicable
(5) The following MSIR Regulations cover the control and monitoring of hazardous substances likely to be encountered during mining activities in Western Australian mines.
Section 7 of the MSIR Regulations covers occupational health matters. Regulation 7.23 covers the disposal of containers; 7.25 involves the creation of a Register of Hazardous Substances; 7.27 requires a Risk Assessment to be conducted; and 7.28 covers the means of reducing risk of exposure to hazardous substances.
Regulations 7.29 and 7.30 specifically refer to monitoring being conducted in relation to Workplace Atmospheric Contaminants and Health Surveillance (including biological monitoring). These regulations would apply to hazardous substances contained within the ore body being mined.
Section 9 of the MSIR Regulations also discusses the control and monitoring of contaminant substances, particularly with regard to the ventilation of workplaces.
Regulations 9.4, 9.5, and 9.6 cover the qualifications and duties of an appointed ventilation officer (both surface and underground). These include the ability to monitor atmospheric contaminants in the workplace. Regulation 9.10 requires the suppression of dust during crushing and processing operations.
Regulations 9.12 and 9.13 cover the Control and Sampling of Atmospheric Contaminants. Regulations 9.14, 9.17, 9.18 and 9.19 address the maintenance of clean atmospheric conditions in the mine workplace.
Regulations 9.22, 9.23, 9.24, 9.25 and 9.276 are specifically concerned with the control of contaminants from blasting fumes, compressed air, refrigeration plants and tailings used in stope filling.
Regulation 9.29 specifically covers the monitoring of toxic, asphyxiant, and explosive gases and 9.30 deals with protection of employees from chemical fumes.
Regulation 9.31 prohibits smoking in certain places and Regulations 9.32 and 9.33 cover the removal, and control of asbestos from the workplace.
(6) Not applicable
(7) - (14) Refer to Parliamentary Question 2516
(15) The maximum penalty for breaches of the MSIR Regulations referred to in the response to this question is stated in Part 17 of the Regulations. The maximum penalty for a corporation is $50,000 for a first offence. The maximum penalty for an individual (who is an employee) is $5,000 and for other persons $25,000.
(16) Not applicable.
(17) - (19) Refer to Parliamentary Question 2516
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(3)
It is necessary to specify the substance or gas in order
to state the maximum allowable limit.
The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 (MSIR) refer to particular substances and gases and set maximum limits allowable for these substances. Examples would be MSIR Regulation 9.9, (2), which limits materials used in abrasive sand blasting to no more than 5% (by weight) of crystalline silica and no more than 1% (by weight) of arsenic, beryllium, lead, cadmium, nickel, antimony, cobalt, chromium or tin.
Also, MSIR Regulation 9.11 limits the concentration of respirable quartz to 0.2 milligrams per cubic metre of air and respirable amorphous silica to 2.0 milligrams per cubic metre of air. This regulation also limits respirable coal dust to no more than 3.0 milligrams per cubic metre of air and limits the content of oxygen in mine workplace air to no less than 18% by volume.
MSIR Regulation 9.29 limits the concentration of methane in the mine atmosphere to no more than 12500 ppm (or 1.25% by volume).
A further example would be MSIR Regulation 10.54 (2), which requires that the level of carbon monoxide in undiluted diesel exhaust emissions be no more that 2000 ppm and oxides of nitrogen be no more than 1800 ppm. This subsequently reduces to maximums of 1500 ppm carbon monoxide and 1000 ppm oxides of nitrogen.
In addition to the MSIR Regulations which refer specifically to allowable concentrations of toxins, poisons, chemicals, toxic gases, asphyxiant gases and poisonous gases, the maximum allowable concentrations of other substances would be sourced from publications such as the National Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment (NOHSC: 1003).
Furthermore, it is a requirement of MSIR Regulations 7.21 and 7.25 that a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) be available for all hazardous substances in use at the mine. The details of allowable concentrations and exposure limits are likely to be included in such a document.
With regard to maximum allowable limits of toxins, poisons, chemicals, toxic gases, asphyxiant gases and poisonous gases, exposure time is also a factor to be considered. Airborne contaminant substances have a maximum concentration (known as the PEAK exposure standard), a short term exposure standard (STEL, exposure over 15 minute period), and a time weighted average (TWA, exposure over an 8 hour shift). The PEAK, STEL, and TWA for each substance will be different and only by consulting publications such as the NOHSC: 1003 will these be known.
To further complicate matters, some toxins are likely to enter the human body other than as airborne contaminants. The only way to measure the degree of exposure to these is by conducting biological monitoring to determine the concentration present in soft tissues and organs. The allowable limits for these concentrations vary.
(4) Not applicable
(5) The following MSIR Regulations cover the control and monitoring of hazardous substances likely to be encountered during mining activities in Western Australian mines.
Section 7 of the MSIR Regulations covers occupational health matters. Regulation 7.23 covers the disposal of containers; 7.25 involves the creation of a Register of Hazardous Substances; 7.27 requires a Risk Assessment to be conducted; and 7.28 covers the means of reducing risk of exposure to hazardous substances.
Regulations 7.29 and 7.30 specifically refer to monitoring being conducted in relation to Workplace Atmospheric Contaminants and Health Surveillance (including biological monitoring). These regulations would apply to hazardous substances contained within the ore body being mined.
Section 9 of the MSIR Regulations also discusses the control and monitoring of contaminant substances, particularly with regard to the ventilation of workplaces.
Regulations 9.4, 9.5, and 9.6 cover the qualifications and duties of an appointed ventilation officer (both surface and underground). These include the ability to monitor atmospheric contaminants in the workplace. Regulation 9.10 requires the suppression of dust during crushing and processing operations.
Regulations 9.12 and 9.13 cover the Control and Sampling of Atmospheric Contaminants. Regulations 9.14, 9.17, 9.18 and 9.19 address the maintenance of clean atmospheric conditions in the mine workplace.
Regulations 9.22, 9.23, 9.24, 9.25 and 9.276 are specifically concerned with the control of contaminants from blasting fumes, compressed air, refrigeration plants and tailings used in stope filling.
Regulation 9.29 specifically covers the monitoring of toxic, asphyxiant, and explosive gases and 9.30 deals with protection of employees from chemical fumes.
Regulation 9.31 prohibits smoking in certain places and Regulations 9.32 and 9.33 cover the removal, and control of asbestos from the workplace.
(6) Not applicable
(7) - (14) Refer to Parliamentary Question 2516
(15) The maximum penalty for breaches of the MSIR Regulations referred to in the response to this question is stated in Part 17 of the Regulations. The maximum penalty for a corporation is $50,000 for a first offence. The maximum penalty for an individual (who is an employee) is $5,000 and for other persons $25,000.
(16) Not applicable.
(17) - (19) Refer to Parliamentary Question 2516
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http://www.rtlib.com
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