❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice raises concerns about safety practices at the KGCM Superpit, specifically regarding excavator operation, dust control, and emergency escape routes. The Minister's response indicates reliance on the mine operator's risk assessments and adherence to safety protocols.
AnsweredQoN 2392Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the KGCM Superpit operations owned by Barrick Gold and Newmont Mining, and pictures taken on 6 February 2010 located at
http://robinchapple.org.au/node/460
[file: 2010-04-29 Hanging Rock.pdf], of a excavator/digger operating in a dangerous area generating large amounts of dust for workers and equipment below at the bottom of the pit, and I ask -
(1) Does the Minister and Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) inspectorate support the excavator/digger operating in the confined area with very little room and loose rock, earth above the area of operation as depicted in the above referred to pictures on a bench in the superpit?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), why?
(4) Does the Minister and the DMP support the excavator/digger operating in the above referred to pictures pushing large rocks and earth over the walls of the superpit given that workers were working below the area, of the excavator at the bottom of the pit in relative close proximity to rolling rock and earth?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Does the Minister and the DMP consider that the amount of dust generated by the excavator/digger, as depicted in the above referred to, pictures exposes workers operating below the working area at the bottom of the pit to hazardous occupational health and safety concerns?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Is it the normal operating practice at the superpit operations, to have the levels of dust generated as depicted in the above, referred to photos coming from the excavator/digger on a daily basis for exposure to workers?
(9) If yes to (8), why?
(10) If no to (8), why not?
(11) Can the Minister state where was the escape and retreat route for the excavator/digger operator, as depicted in the above referred to pictures for a rock fall from underneath/side or behind the tracks of the excavator on the bench in the superpit?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
http://robinchapple.org.au/node/460
[file: 2010-04-29 Hanging Rock.pdf], of a excavator/digger operating in a dangerous area generating large amounts of dust for workers and equipment below at the bottom of the pit, and I ask -
(1) Does the Minister and Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) inspectorate support the excavator/digger operating in the confined area with very little room and loose rock, earth above the area of operation as depicted in the above referred to pictures on a bench in the superpit?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), why?
(4) Does the Minister and the DMP support the excavator/digger operating in the above referred to pictures pushing large rocks and earth over the walls of the superpit given that workers were working below the area, of the excavator at the bottom of the pit in relative close proximity to rolling rock and earth?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Does the Minister and the DMP consider that the amount of dust generated by the excavator/digger, as depicted in the above referred to, pictures exposes workers operating below the working area at the bottom of the pit to hazardous occupational health and safety concerns?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Is it the normal operating practice at the superpit operations, to have the levels of dust generated as depicted in the above, referred to photos coming from the excavator/digger on a daily basis for exposure to workers?
(9) If yes to (8), why?
(10) If no to (8), why not?
(11) Can the Minister state where was the escape and retreat route for the excavator/digger operator, as depicted in the above referred to pictures for a rock fall from underneath/side or behind the tracks of the excavator on the bench in the superpit?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
40 days
(1) - (3)
All pictures except one appear to indicate that there is adequate room to operate the machine in the location on the pit berm. However, 2-D photograph does not show the 'total depth' and it is dependent on the distance and angle from where the photograph is taken. I am advised by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) that two-dimensional photographs can be misleading because they do not accurately show depth. The risk assessment of all activities undertaken is by law the responsibility of the mine operator. KCGM has advised DMP that a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) was conducted before commencement of the work.
(4) There do not appear to be any workers below the area being cleared. KCGM advises that an exclusion zone was set by JHA process.
(5) Not applicable
(6) Neither the Minister nor DMP can carry out an assessment of the exposure to workers on that particular day. The JHA must include an assessment of potential hazards from dust.
(7) It is the responsibility of the mining operation to carry out an assessment. Exposure of employees to high dust levels is not acceptable.
(8) No
(9) Not applicable
(10) Water carts and water cannons are used at this operation to control dust.
(11) I am advised by DMP that the normal escape route, should the area become unstable, would be to reverse back along the berm in the manner seen in photograph number 13. Should a rock fall over behind the excavator trapping it on the berm then the operator would remain with the machine until rescued by the Mine Rescue Team. Such a rescue would be conducted using ropes from the bench above.
(12) Not applicable
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All pictures except one appear to indicate that there is adequate room to operate the machine in the location on the pit berm. However, 2-D photograph does not show the 'total depth' and it is dependent on the distance and angle from where the photograph is taken. I am advised by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) that two-dimensional photographs can be misleading because they do not accurately show depth. The risk assessment of all activities undertaken is by law the responsibility of the mine operator. KCGM has advised DMP that a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) was conducted before commencement of the work.
(4) There do not appear to be any workers below the area being cleared. KCGM advises that an exclusion zone was set by JHA process.
(5) Not applicable
(6) Neither the Minister nor DMP can carry out an assessment of the exposure to workers on that particular day. The JHA must include an assessment of potential hazards from dust.
(7) It is the responsibility of the mining operation to carry out an assessment. Exposure of employees to high dust levels is not acceptable.
(8) No
(9) Not applicable
(10) Water carts and water cannons are used at this operation to control dust.
(11) I am advised by DMP that the normal escape route, should the area become unstable, would be to reverse back along the berm in the manner seen in photograph number 13. Should a rock fall over behind the excavator trapping it on the berm then the operator would remain with the machine until rescued by the Mine Rescue Team. Such a rescue would be conducted using ropes from the bench above.
(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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