❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses safety concerns and fatigue management practices at the Kalgoorlie Superpit, focusing on near-miss incidents and working hours. The Minister's response indicates internal investigations were conducted, and the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) is satisfied with the company's adherence to the Code of Practice.
AnsweredQoN 2364Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd (KCGM) operations owned by Barrick Gold and Newmont Australia commonly known as ‘the superpit’, in the Kalgoorlie Boulder region, with management from Russell Cole, Dale Oram, Willie Leslie and Mick Harvey, and ask -
(1) Was it reported in the last four months, both to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) and on the company’s internal reporting system, that there was a near miss between a haul pack operator and an explosives truck and a near miss between that same operator and another haul pack operator, who initiated a 40 metre skid under full brake, on the same day?
(2) If yes to (1), will the Minister require an urgent investigation into the matter?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Is it true that operators at the abovementioned operations are required to work on average seven hours before having a break, and on regular occasions 10 hours before having a break?
(5) If yes to (4), does this concern the DMP inspectorate for any issues?
(6) Is it true that some operators at the abovementioned operations are required to work on average 20-30 minutes extra, effectively extending the length of their shift worked to 12.5 hours?
(7) If yes to (6), does this concern the DMP inspectorate for any issues?
(8) Will the Minister state the specifics of the fatigue management plan employed and implemented at the abovementioned operations?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(10) Will the Minister require an urgent investigation into fatigue management at the abovementioned operations?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(12) Will the Minister state what actions have been taken on behalf of the DMP, to assist the abovementioned operations, to identify and implement an effective fatigue management plan?
(13) Will the registered manager, or any other person at KCGM, be prosecuted for this incident referred to in (1), above?
(14) If no to (13), why not?
(1) Was it reported in the last four months, both to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) and on the company’s internal reporting system, that there was a near miss between a haul pack operator and an explosives truck and a near miss between that same operator and another haul pack operator, who initiated a 40 metre skid under full brake, on the same day?
(2) If yes to (1), will the Minister require an urgent investigation into the matter?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
(4) Is it true that operators at the abovementioned operations are required to work on average seven hours before having a break, and on regular occasions 10 hours before having a break?
(5) If yes to (4), does this concern the DMP inspectorate for any issues?
(6) Is it true that some operators at the abovementioned operations are required to work on average 20-30 minutes extra, effectively extending the length of their shift worked to 12.5 hours?
(7) If yes to (6), does this concern the DMP inspectorate for any issues?
(8) Will the Minister state the specifics of the fatigue management plan employed and implemented at the abovementioned operations?
(9) If no to (8), why not?
(10) Will the Minister require an urgent investigation into fatigue management at the abovementioned operations?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(12) Will the Minister state what actions have been taken on behalf of the DMP, to assist the abovementioned operations, to identify and implement an effective fatigue management plan?
(13) Will the registered manager, or any other person at KCGM, be prosecuted for this incident referred to in (1), above?
(14) If no to (13), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
41 days
(1) Two separate incidents were recorded by the company on the same day involving a new and inexperienced operator. The incidents were not reported to the Department of Mines and Petroleum as a potentially serious occurrence. The quarry manager has advised the Department that he was not aware of a "40 metre skid under full brake".
(2) I am advised that KCGM conducted an internal investigation which found that there was no injury to persons and there was never any possibility of the explosives truck being involved in a collision. The shot crew saw the truck approaching the intersection and stopped their vehicle to allow it to pass safely. In the second incident the truck was stopped under normal braking. Company reports will be reviewed by mining inspectors and if necessary further enquiries will be made.
(3) Not applicable
(4) KCGM has advised the Department that this is not the case. Persons do not work on average seven hours before having a break, nor do they regularly work 10 hours without a break.
(5) Not applicable
(6) KCGM has advised the Department that on average over the shift cycle operators work within the twelve hour shift parameters. There may be occasions on a particular day when a limited number of truck operators may exceed 12 hours due to cycling of trucks from the diggers. On other days they might work less than 12 hours.
(7) There have been no complaints from employees and KCGM have indicated that they operate within the parameters of the Code of Practice on working hours. Therefore the Department has no concerns about compliance with the Code of Practice at this time.
(8) The company has advised the Department that the fatigue management plan requires employees to have two breaks per shift at intervals not exceeding 5
hours.
(9) Not applicable
(10) No
(11) There is no substantive reason to conduct an investigation. See response to question 7.
(12) The Department promotes compliance with the 'Code of Practice'.
(13) No
(14) As per current information, no offence has been committed.
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(2) I am advised that KCGM conducted an internal investigation which found that there was no injury to persons and there was never any possibility of the explosives truck being involved in a collision. The shot crew saw the truck approaching the intersection and stopped their vehicle to allow it to pass safely. In the second incident the truck was stopped under normal braking. Company reports will be reviewed by mining inspectors and if necessary further enquiries will be made.
(3) Not applicable
(4) KCGM has advised the Department that this is not the case. Persons do not work on average seven hours before having a break, nor do they regularly work 10 hours without a break.
(5) Not applicable
(6) KCGM has advised the Department that on average over the shift cycle operators work within the twelve hour shift parameters. There may be occasions on a particular day when a limited number of truck operators may exceed 12 hours due to cycling of trucks from the diggers. On other days they might work less than 12 hours.
(7) There have been no complaints from employees and KCGM have indicated that they operate within the parameters of the Code of Practice on working hours. Therefore the Department has no concerns about compliance with the Code of Practice at this time.
(8) The company has advised the Department that the fatigue management plan requires employees to have two breaks per shift at intervals not exceeding 5
hours.
(9) Not applicable
(10) No
(11) There is no substantive reason to conduct an investigation. See response to question 7.
(12) The Department promotes compliance with the 'Code of Practice'.
(13) No
(14) As per current information, no offence has been committed.
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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