REG CMHSR, Clause 19(1) (m) Electrical engineering management plan REG CMHSR, Clause 68(d) Combustible liquid storage
Only battery powered portable apparatus that meets certain requirements can be used in a hazardous zone if it is not certified or approved as explosion protected.
Portable electrical tools must not be operated within 10 metres of any storage underground (above 60 litres capacity) of any grease, lubrication, hydraulic oil or fuel oils.
Only battery powered portable apparatus that meet certain requirements and are used in accordance with certain conditions can be used in a hazardous zone if it is not certified or approved as explosion protected.
INFO Gazette Notice for Specification of Plant that can be used in a Hazardous Zone
INFO Gazette Notice for the conditions of use of non-explosion protected plant in a hazardous
zone
INFO EES-004 NSW DPI Technical Reference for Electrical Practices for Portable Apparatus
3.14 Specific Procedures
3.14.1 NON-ELECTRICAL WORK NEAR ENERGISED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
REG OHSR, Clause 41(4) Electricity – particular risk control measures
Persons working in or undertaking maintenance on, the premises (doing non-electrical work) are prevented from coming within an unsafe distance from any overhead electrical power lines or live electrical installations unless a risk assessment determines otherwise. It is expected that documented procedures would be one element in a system that provide for this.
3.14.2 ELECTRIC SHOCK PROTOCOLS
REG CMHSR, Clause 45(a) (ii) & (e) Contents of emergency management system
Must make arrangements for the treatment of sick and injured people including victims of electric shock
Typical electrical matters are electric shock protocols, electric burn protocols and arc blast injury protocols. When anyone receives an electric shock they should be given professional medical assessment, treatment and care. As a minimum a 12 lead ECG should be conducted to detect any irregular heart rhythms.
Some points to consider for inclusion in electric shock protocols: • 12 lead ECG.
• Notifiable incident process.
• Treatment from health care professional
3.14.3 USE OF ELECTRIC WELDING EQUIPMENT
REG CMHSR, Clause 19(1) (s) (i) Electrical engineering management plan
Requires specific procedures to be used for electric welding equipment
INFO Safe welding practices:
• MDG25, • AS/NZS 1674.2
• WTIA TN 7-98 publication • EES decision Sheet 12.2
3.14.4 USE OF ELECTRICAL TEST INSTRUMENTS
REG CMHSR, Clause 19(1) (s) (ii) Electrical engineering management plan
Requires specific procedures to be used when conducting electrical tests / using electrical test instruments
3.15 Overhead Power Lines & Cables &
underground (buried)
cables
REG CMHSR, Clause 19(1) (s) Electrical engineering management plan REG CMHSR, Clause 72 Overhead power lines and cables
REG OHSR, Clause 64(2) (e) & (d) Electricity – particular risk control measures
REG OHSR, Clause 241(3) Potential risks arising from excavation work – particular risk control measures
A safe distance must be maintained between people, plant, tools and other equipment and any energised overhead power line or cable and safe work procedures must be developed to work near those lines or cables
If excavation work is to be carried out, all available information concerning the position of underground electrical cables is obtained and disseminated to the persons doing the work. Overhead Power Line management:
• Transport Management Plan to consider overhead power lines
• Site plan showing the location of all overhead power lines and cables. • Site plan must be readily accessible to supervisors.
• The risk from overhead power lines and cables must be considered in risk assessments.
• Procedures must be developed for work near overhead power lines and cables.
• Safe distances must be maintained between overhead lines, cables and machinery. (The maintaining of safe distances usually results in prohibiting the storing of materials, mining product or the like under overhead lines and cables.)
• Provision of signs warning of overhead lines and cables. • Provision of height barriers.
• Provision of warning devices or propulsion interlocks on machinery such as rear dump trucks when dump trays are in the raised or partially raised position.
• Also consider installation of warning devices on cranes, rear dump trucks and drill rigs to operate an alarm when too close to overhead lines.
Buried Cable management:
• Site plan showing the location of all buried cables. • Site plan must be readily accessible to supervisors.
• The risk from contacting buried cables must be considered in risk assessments. (This generally precludes storing materials, mining product or the like over buried cables.) • Procedures must be developed for work near buried cables.
• Safe distances must be maintained between temporarily exposed buried cables and machinery.
• Provision of signs warning of buried cables and their buried depth.
INFO NSW Minerals Industry Safety Handbook
INFO Workcover Code of Practice for Overhead Power Lines
3.16 Signage and Plans
REG CMHSR, Clause 19(1) (t) Electrical engineering management plan
REG OHSR, Clause 64(2) (g) Electricity – particular risk control measures
The placing of appropriate signage, notices, plans and electrical distribution diagrams at electrical switchgear or near any area in which there is a risk of exposure of persons to hazards arising from electricity and other prominent positions that:
• Warn of the presence of electricity. • If necessary restrict access
• Provide advice on what to do in the event of a fire on electrical equipment.
• Provide advice on what to do in the event of an electric shock and other electrical injuries.
• Provide advice on the isolation point for the electrical equipment. • Provide advice on what electrical equipment the switchgear supplies. • Show the location of all high voltage cables and switchgear on a mine plan. • Show all points of isolation available on the electrical distribution system.
• Adequate signs to warn of the hazards and (if necessary) restrict access are provided at or near any area in which there is a risk of exposure of persons to hazards arising from electricity.
. ILO MESHCM/2006 Section 18.2.1.11 & 18.2.1.12 Electricity – Hazard control – General
Chapter 4 Electrical Engineering Management Plan,
other management plans and regulatory
requirements
4.1 Relationship to other plans and requirements
It is expected that the EEMP will provide inputs to or provide for elements of other management plan requirements and non-clause 19 matters. How this is achieved is operation specific and is likely to vary from site to site. The key point is that the EEMP should clearly establish links to the other management plans and to systems required by regulation.
4.2 Electrical Engineering Management Plan and other
management plans
4.2.1 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT PLAN (MEMP)
REG CMHSR, Clause 13(1) (f) Additional components of health and safety management system
There will be a close relationship between the electrical and mechanical engineering management plans particularly in the area of mobile equipment. Where mobile equipment is under the auspices of the MEMP the EEMP must provide for the electrical aspects of the mobile plant if it is electrically powered, electrically controlled, contains any electrical circuitry or electrical safeguards are provided.
4.2.2 MAJOR HAZARD MANAGEMENT PLANS
REG CMHSR, Clause 28 Prescribed major hazards
These major hazards are required to be controlled by major hazard management plans which require certain matters to be addressed. Below are matters to which the EEMP may provide input.
4.2.2.1 Surface transport management plan
REG CMHSR, Clause 30 Contents of major hazard management plan: surface transport management plan
Where electrical or electronic means are used for:
• Monitoring and keeping transport within its design parameters. • Keeping transport below a maximum speed.
• Anti-collision detection and warning devices.
• Use of people detection devices, reversing alarms or cameras. Other matters to be included:
• Inspection of electrical components and safeguards must be included in transport inspections.
• Operation near overhead lines and cables. • Procedures when OHL’s contacted.
4.2.2.2 Underground transport management plan
REG CMHSR, Clause 31 Contents of major hazard management plan: underground transport management plan
• Electrical components to be suitable for use in the event of a ventilation failure. • Electrical interlocks to ensure doors are closed,
• Lights,
• Warning devices and alarms.
• Pre-use inspection of electrical components, electrical interlocks to ensure doors are closed, and that lights, warning devices and alarms operate.
• Charging of the transport batteries. SEP’s to be developed and implemented for charging stations.
• Reporting electrical defects on transport.
4.2.2.3 Strata failure management plan
REG CMHSR, Clause 32 Contents of major hazard management plan: strata failure management plan
Electrically powered or controlled plant such as mobile drill rigs and electronic monitoring & alarms for strata monitoring.
4.2.2.4 Fire and explosion management plan
REG CMHSR, Clause 35 Contents of major hazard management plan: fire and explosion management plan
• Hazardous area identification and classification • Life cycle management of electrical Ex plant. • Life-cycle management of gas detecting plant. • Life-cycle management of gas drainage plants.
• Life cycle management of ventilation monitoring and tripping systems. • Provision of fire fighting equipment at electrical installations.
• Location of critical electrically powered infrastructure on mine plans.
• Electrical safeguards for the detection of fires and/or initiation automatic fire suppression systems.
• Electrical safeguards for the detection and measurement of flammable gases and initiation of power interlock trips.
• SIL or Category of electrical safeguards.
4.2.2.5 Dust and explosion management plan
REG CMHSR, Clause 36 Contents of major hazard management plan: dust explosion management plan
At this stage it is not envisaged that explosion barriers and other explosion suppression measures will have any electrical content.
4.2.2.6 Explosives management plan
REG CMHSR, Clause 37 Contents of major hazard management plan: explosives management plan
• Electrical requirements and life-cycle management of plant used to store and transport explosives.
• SIL requirements for electronic detonators and shotfiring equipment.
• In the case of an underground operation, the use of specified electric shotfiring and testing apparatus and life cycle management of electric exploders and circuit testers.
INFO Gazette Notice for requirements for design registration of shot firing apparatus 4.2.2.7 Airborne dust management plan
REG CMHSR, Clause 38 Contents of major hazard management plan: airborne dust management plan
Electrically monitored water supply and SIL levels of such circuits for coal cutting machines.
4.3 Electrical Engineering Management Plan and other coal mines
regulations requirements
These regulations require that certain matters be addressed. Below are those matters to which the EEMP will either “manage” or provide input into the management of the particular matter along with typical issues.
4.3.1 INSPECTION PROGRAM
REG CMHSR, Clause 15 Inspection program
If an inspection detects unsafe or suspected unsafe electrical installations, plant or practices then the manager of electrical engineering, qualified electrical engineer or other electrically qualified person that is nominated in the management structure must be notified. Similarly for the reporting of any remedial action and concerns as a result of the remedial action taken.
The regular and timely review of reports of inspections with regard to electrical matters by the manager of electrical engineering, qualified electrical engineer or other electrically qualified person that is nominated in the management structure.
Inspection for the presence of flammable gas before connecting power to any plant.
4.3.2 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS
REG CMHSR, Clause 16 Information and communication arrangements
Minimum communication of day to day Electrical Engineering Safety matters.
Electrical persons in the management structure to communicate specific Electrical Engineering Safety issues that may arise from time to time.
All other communication matters in the regulations to be considered in relation to Electrical Engineering Safety.
For life cycle management of telephonic communications and to ensure that for underground operations it is Intrinsically Safe category Ex ia and that telephonic devices are located at:
• Every underground entrance to a shaft or outlet for ingress or egress. • Every place underground where plant is regularly serviced or charged. • A reasonably accessible place in each underground production area. • A place in proximity to underground switch-gear.
• Places in proximity to every underground conveyor belt drive head and transfer or loading point.
4.3.3 MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS & VENTILATION ARRANGEMENTS
REG CMHSR, Clause 18 Monitoring arrangements REG CMHSR, Clause 21 Ventilation arrangements
Where the monitoring and any alarm arrangements are provided by electrical equipment the EEMP will need to provide for the life cycle management and calibration of electrical
devices. Where alarms, interlocks and tripping of power are required the appropriate SIL should be specified in the safety requirements specification and realised in the final design. Where auditing of arrangements is a requirement the electrical aspects will need to be incorporated.
ILO MESHCM/2006 Section 12.5 Mine ventilation fans, p82-83
ILO MESHCM/2006 Section 12.6 Booster fan control, p83-84
ILO MESHCM/2006 Section 12.7 Auxiliary fan control, p84-86
ILO MESHCM/2006 Section 12.11 Methane monitors, p92-93
ILO MESHCM/2006 Section 12.12 Atmospheric monitoring systems for mine-wide monitoring, p93-97
4.3.4 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
REG CMHSR, Clause 45 Contents of emergency management system
The EEMP must provide for Electrical Engineering Safety matters in the emergency management system.
The need for details of where and how to remove power from the mine or part of the mine, a building or a structure in the event of any emergency that requires the disconnection of electricity will be a feature of most emergency preparedness plans. Emergency stop buttons should be installed to enable non-electrical personnel to disconnect power before fire fighting.
Fire and emergency provisions to include safe removal of power, rescue from contact with energised conductors, specific fire fighting requirements for electrical installations, provision of communication systems, signage, plans etc.
Provisions for the treatment and transport of people who have received an electric shock or burns or arc blast injuries. Some points to consider for inclusion in electric shock protocols:
• 12 lead ECG.
• Notifiable incident process.
• Treatment from health care professional. Training for fighting fires on electrical equipment. Emergency fire procedures for electrical equipment.
The actions and procedures to be taken by a person who discovers a fire on electrical equipment.
The procedures to be adopted when emergency services external to the operation are required. This must include electricity supply authorities.
The effective communication to all people required to work or travel in the underground parts of the coal operation of the paths of egress from each underground part of the operation (the provision of telephonic means of communication that is Ex ia).
The marking of paths of egress so that people can safely travel on them in conditions of poor visibility (where this is electrically powered the appropriate reliability and explosion protection).
Sufficient transport or alternate means of escape in combination with escape equipment to allow the safe evacuation of people (electrical matters may include explosion protection requirements, provision of alternate power supplies, withdrawal of battery powered equipment that does not have an EPL Ma).
The regular testing as to the effectiveness of the emergency provisions to be part of life cycle management of electrical equipment.
Underground operations accessed by powered winding systems should consider the effects of the requirement to remove power in the event of a ventilation failure on the ability to provide transport of persons from the mine in the event of a prolonged ventilation failure.
ILO MESHCM/2006 Section 16 Mine Fires, in particular 16.2(2) Fire warning, p111
4.3.5 ESCAPE AND RESCUE PLAN AND FIRE FIGHTING PLAN
REG CMHSR, Clause 47 Escape and rescue plan
The escape and rescue plan of the underground parts of the operation to include location of high voltage and low voltage fixed cables and switchgear, location of communication devices and interconnecting cable routes, location of monitoring devices and associated cable routes.
4.3.6 HIGH RISK ACTIVITY
REG CMHSR, Clause 49 High risk activities, waiting periods and information required
Cutting or welding in a hazardous zone underground. EEMP to provide for electrical standards and practices for electrical welding or cutting and the application for exemption provisions.
Installation of a booster fan underground. EEMP to provide life cycle management details, appropriate SIL for electric power interlocks and registration requirements.
The introduction for the first time of a vehicle with a non-flameproof (fire protected) diesel engine to an underground part of a coal operation that is not a hazardous zone. The EEMP must provide for life cycle management of electrical parts of a fireproof diesel engine and the appropriate SIL of any safeguards on the vehicle. The EEMP must identify performance specifications for the design of equipment to prevent the vehicle entering a hazardous zone. For single entry development, the risk assessment may identify increased risks and the need for additional risk controls or more reliable risk controls to be put in place. The EEMP should specify the risk control requirements and any increased reliability and incorporate these in electrical standards of engineering practice for electrical plant, monitoring devices, communications and electrical protection settings.
4.3.7 ALUMINIUM OR LIGHT METAL ALLOYS
REG CMHSR, Clause 66 Aluminium or light metal alloys
With regard to electrical equipment for use in hazardous zones only aluminium portable (hand-held) equipment that has been certified for Group I use can be used. (This relates to requirements specified in the latest Australian Standards relating to explosion protected equipment.) This portable apparatus must also be used in accordance with the EEMP (part of which is a scheme for the use of portable apparatus).
Non-portable electrical equipment that is constructed of aluminium or light metal alloy must not be used in a hazardous zone as it can not be certified for Group I.
The EEMP must make provision for the use of aluminium cased electrical equipment for use in non-hazardous zones, that ensures:
• The use of aluminium is limited to those applications that may be justified on the grounds of safety.
• Aluminium articles are not left unattended in the underground parts of the operation.
• Aluminium articles are not taken or do not remain anywhere on the inbye side of the first cut-through outbye a longwall face or the last line of open cut-throughs in a panel or a distance of 100 metres outbye a longwall face or last line of open cut- throughs in a panel, whichever is the larger area.
• That aluminium articles are not taken into or do not remain in an atmosphere containing more than 1.25 per cent of methane.
• That aluminium articles are not used in any impact process or other application where an incendive spark is likely to occur.
• That aluminium articles that are not in use or intended for use are removed from the underground parts of the operation.
• That as far as practicable any aluminium article to be taken underground is clearly and durably marked to the effect that it is aluminium (or a light metal alloy) and its use underground is subject to restrictions.
• That a register is maintained at the operation recording all aluminium articles taken underground at the operation and the application to which they will be put and their return to the surface of the operation.
• No external components of electric exploders contain aluminium.
4.3.8 LASERS
REG CMHSR, Clause 71 Lasers
The EEMP must contain requirements for lasers to be used in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2397-1993 Safe use of lasers in the building and construction industry, and that Class 3B or Class 4 lasers or laser products as defined in AS/NZS 2211.1:1997 Laser
safety: Equipment classification, requirements and user’s guide, are not used.