❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding safety concerns (dust, slipperiness, vehicle incidents) at Barrick Kanowna's Kanowna Belle Operations, and the DMP's response, including investigations and implementation of a Dust Management Program.
AnsweredQoN 2371Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Kanowna Belle Operations owned and operated by Barrick Kanowna, with management from Evan Spencer, Callum Winn, Justin De Meillon and Ashley Tidey, and ask -
(1) Will the Minister state how many incidents have been reported, both to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) and on the company’s internal reporting system respectively, in the last 12 months concerning excessive dust levels in the decline of the above mentioned operations?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Will the Minister state how many incidents have been reported, both to the DMP and on the company’s internal reporting system respectively, in the last 12 months concerning slipperiness in the decline at the above mentioned operation?
(4) Will the Minister require an immediate investigation concerning excessive dust and slipperiness of the decline of the above mentioned operations?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Will the Minister state the importance relating to the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995
of excessive dust in the main decline of an underground mine?
(7) Will the Minister state how many incidents in relation to light vehicles and heavy vehicles colliding with the walls have been reported as incidents at the above mentioned operations, both to the DMP, and on the internal reporting system respectively,in the last 12 months?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Will the Minister state what has been done on behalf of the DMP to assist the above mentioned operations in controlling the condition of the decline in relation to the dust and the slipperiness?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Is it true that within the month of April 2010, the above mentioned operations used a dust suppressant on the main decline in the underground operations, and then had to close that operation because the dust suppressant was found to be carcinogenic?
(12) If yes to (11), -
(a) was this incident reported to the DMP; and
(b) how was it investigated?
(1) Will the Minister state how many incidents have been reported, both to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) and on the company’s internal reporting system respectively, in the last 12 months concerning excessive dust levels in the decline of the above mentioned operations?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Will the Minister state how many incidents have been reported, both to the DMP and on the company’s internal reporting system respectively, in the last 12 months concerning slipperiness in the decline at the above mentioned operation?
(4) Will the Minister require an immediate investigation concerning excessive dust and slipperiness of the decline of the above mentioned operations?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Will the Minister state the importance relating to the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995
of excessive dust in the main decline of an underground mine?
(7) Will the Minister state how many incidents in relation to light vehicles and heavy vehicles colliding with the walls have been reported as incidents at the above mentioned operations, both to the DMP, and on the internal reporting system respectively,in the last 12 months?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Will the Minister state what has been done on behalf of the DMP to assist the above mentioned operations in controlling the condition of the decline in relation to the dust and the slipperiness?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) Is it true that within the month of April 2010, the above mentioned operations used a dust suppressant on the main decline in the underground operations, and then had to close that operation because the dust suppressant was found to be carcinogenic?
(12) If yes to (11), -
(a) was this incident reported to the DMP; and
(b) how was it investigated?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
41 days
1. Two complaints regarding excessive dust have been made to the Department. Three Hazard Reports relating to this issue were made using the internal company system at the Kanowna Belle Gold Mine.
2. Not applicable
3. No reports of this nature have been made to the Department. Thirteen (13) Hazard reports relating to this issue were made using the internal company system at the Kanowna Belle Gold Mine.
4. No.
5. Responsibility rests with the employer and the internal reporting system can be seen to be operating effectively.
6. Excessive dust in the underground operations may be detrimental to the health of employees. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 9 - Ventilation and control of dust and atmospheric contaminants prescribed specific requirements.
7. No incident reports of this nature have been made to the Department. Fifteen (15) Hazard Reports and Equipment Damage Reports relating to this issue were made using the internal company system at the Kanowna Belle Gold Mine.
8. Not applicable
9. The first complaint regarding excessive dust was investigated and several inspections were made by inspectors. During discussions with several employees it was confirmed that the dust problem was real and severe.
The dust issue was discussed with management. The walls of the decline were washed down as a result and that improved conditions significantly.
After the second complaint was received in January 2010, another inspection of the workplace was carried out and an Improvement Notice was issued.
As a result of the Improvement Notice a Dust Management Program was developed and implemented by management at the mine.
This program involved identification of areas in the decline prone to being dusty and directing water carts to potential problems as a priority. On occasions, when severe conditions were being experienced as a result of hot dry weather, trucking operations have ceased.
Daily plotting of dusty and slippery conditions in the decline is undertaken by the leading hand of the truck fleet to provide a better understanding of the problem and the effectiveness of the control measures put in place.
The program also involves trialling dust suppression chemicals.
10. Not applicable
11. No. The Department has no information to support this allegation.
12. Not applicable
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2. Not applicable
3. No reports of this nature have been made to the Department. Thirteen (13) Hazard reports relating to this issue were made using the internal company system at the Kanowna Belle Gold Mine.
4. No.
5. Responsibility rests with the employer and the internal reporting system can be seen to be operating effectively.
6. Excessive dust in the underground operations may be detrimental to the health of employees. The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995: Part 9 - Ventilation and control of dust and atmospheric contaminants prescribed specific requirements.
7. No incident reports of this nature have been made to the Department. Fifteen (15) Hazard Reports and Equipment Damage Reports relating to this issue were made using the internal company system at the Kanowna Belle Gold Mine.
8. Not applicable
9. The first complaint regarding excessive dust was investigated and several inspections were made by inspectors. During discussions with several employees it was confirmed that the dust problem was real and severe.
The dust issue was discussed with management. The walls of the decline were washed down as a result and that improved conditions significantly.
After the second complaint was received in January 2010, another inspection of the workplace was carried out and an Improvement Notice was issued.
As a result of the Improvement Notice a Dust Management Program was developed and implemented by management at the mine.
This program involved identification of areas in the decline prone to being dusty and directing water carts to potential problems as a priority. On occasions, when severe conditions were being experienced as a result of hot dry weather, trucking operations have ceased.
Daily plotting of dusty and slippery conditions in the decline is undertaken by the leading hand of the truck fleet to provide a better understanding of the problem and the effectiveness of the control measures put in place.
The program also involves trialling dust suppression chemicals.
10. Not applicable
11. No. The Department has no information to support this allegation.
12. 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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