❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice raises concerns about safety practices at the Norseman Gold Operations' OK Mine, specifically regarding refuge chambers, ventilation, and unsupported ground work. The Minister's response indicates some issues were previously unknown but have been investigated.
AnsweredQoN 2321Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Norseman Gold Operations, the OK Mine, Harlequin Mine, and Bullen Mine, and ask -
(1) Is the Minister or the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) aware that the refuge chamber at the bottom of the OK mine is not connected to a mine air supply?
(2) If yes to (1), how long has the Minister or the DMP been aware of this?
(3) Can the Minister state what is the section, regulation and penalty under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
for the OK Mine to be without a mine air supply to the refuge chamber located at the bottom of the mine?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Does the Minister or the DMP support the OK Mine operating with a refuge chamber at the bottom of the mine which is rated for three people, given there are often more than three people working in that area, reliant upon that chamber in the event of a accident?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) If yes to (5), why?
(8) Does the Minister or the DMP support twin boom offsiders working at the OK Mine on rehabilitation work, walking under unsupported ground in front of the machine to get bolts and mesh?
(9) If yes to (8), why?
(10) If no to (8), why not?
(11) Will the Minister or the DMP investigate whether the practice outlined in (8), is occurring at this mine?
(12) Is the Minister or the DMP aware that the primary and secondary ventilation at the OK Mine is non-compliant with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
?
(13) If yes to (12), how long has the Minister or the DMP known about this?
(14) If no to (12), will the Minister request that the DMP inspector expediently visit this mine to independently test the primary and secondary ventilation?
(15) Can the Minister advise in the last 24 months and on what specific dates a DMP inspector has independently checked the primary and secondary ventilation at the OK Mine?
(16) If yes to (15), for each occasion, how did the inspector check that the primary and secondary ventilation was in compliance with the
Mines Safety Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
?
(1) Is the Minister or the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) aware that the refuge chamber at the bottom of the OK mine is not connected to a mine air supply?
(2) If yes to (1), how long has the Minister or the DMP been aware of this?
(3) Can the Minister state what is the section, regulation and penalty under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
for the OK Mine to be without a mine air supply to the refuge chamber located at the bottom of the mine?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Does the Minister or the DMP support the OK Mine operating with a refuge chamber at the bottom of the mine which is rated for three people, given there are often more than three people working in that area, reliant upon that chamber in the event of a accident?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) If yes to (5), why?
(8) Does the Minister or the DMP support twin boom offsiders working at the OK Mine on rehabilitation work, walking under unsupported ground in front of the machine to get bolts and mesh?
(9) If yes to (8), why?
(10) If no to (8), why not?
(11) Will the Minister or the DMP investigate whether the practice outlined in (8), is occurring at this mine?
(12) Is the Minister or the DMP aware that the primary and secondary ventilation at the OK Mine is non-compliant with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
?
(13) If yes to (12), how long has the Minister or the DMP known about this?
(14) If no to (12), will the Minister request that the DMP inspector expediently visit this mine to independently test the primary and secondary ventilation?
(15) Can the Minister advise in the last 24 months and on what specific dates a DMP inspector has independently checked the primary and secondary ventilation at the OK Mine?
(16) If yes to (15), for each occasion, how did the inspector check that the primary and secondary ventilation was in compliance with the
Mines Safety Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations 1995
?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
42 days
No, not at the time that the question was asked.
Not applicable
There is no regulation that specifies this requirement and as such there is no provision of any penalty. The design and operation of mine refuge chambers is covered by a guidance document which provides guidance for stand alone or reticulated air supply to refuge chambers.
Refer to response to Question 3.
No
The capacity of refuge chambers must be commensurate with the number of employees in the area.
Not applicable
No
Not applicable
Such a practice would be unsafe.
This was investigated by an inspector on 11 May 2010.
No, not at the time that the question was asked.
Not applicable
The Ventilation Log Book at the OK Mine was inspected by an inspector on 11 May 2010.
No independent ventilation surveys have been conducted by inspectors at the OK Mine. The Mine Ventilation Officer has the statutory duty to ensure compliance with the requirements of the legislation in regards to mine ventilation. The function of the ventilation system at the OK Mine was checked by an inspector most recently on 14 July 2009, 8 December 2009 and 5 March 2010.
Ventilation checks are conducted by inspecting fan installation, the condition of vent bags, air quantity and air quality observations as part of general work place inspections.
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
Not applicable
There is no regulation that specifies this requirement and as such there is no provision of any penalty. The design and operation of mine refuge chambers is covered by a guidance document which provides guidance for stand alone or reticulated air supply to refuge chambers.
Refer to response to Question 3.
No
The capacity of refuge chambers must be commensurate with the number of employees in the area.
Not applicable
No
Not applicable
Such a practice would be unsafe.
This was investigated by an inspector on 11 May 2010.
No, not at the time that the question was asked.
Not applicable
The Ventilation Log Book at the OK Mine was inspected by an inspector on 11 May 2010.
No independent ventilation surveys have been conducted by inspectors at the OK Mine. The Mine Ventilation Officer has the statutory duty to ensure compliance with the requirements of the legislation in regards to mine ventilation. The function of the ventilation system at the OK Mine was checked by an inspector most recently on 14 July 2009, 8 December 2009 and 5 March 2010.
Ventilation checks are conducted by inspecting fan installation, the condition of vent bags, air quantity and air quality observations as part of general work place inspections.
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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