Report - Coal - Explosives - July 24 to July 25

Operation type assessed

Compliance notice types issued during the program

Note: This data represents all notices issued during the program and may include notices other than explosives control plan.

Findings with issues identified – surface and underground operations

Recommendations

Coal mine operators should review the site explosives principal control plan and the criteria assessed with specific focus on:

• Blast design, blast sentry/guard role and responsibilities, training of persons involved in shot firing activity, re-entry and wait time requirements post blast.
• Misfired electronic detonators.
  • Detonators recovered from a blast zone may be damaged. Blast shock damage can crush the shell of the detonator (including shrink wrap) onto internal electronics and cause a misfire.
  • Detonators can misfire due to damage sustained to electrical lead wires during loading or stemming.
  • Detonators can appear to have no visible signs of damage on the outer shell; all misfired electronic detonators should be treated as if they are damaged.
• Underground coal blasting exploders and firing cables.
  • ‘Shaffler’ type ‘808T’ exploder units and ‘Dig-Ohm’ test units must be checked for compliance within equipment inspection dates.
  • Shot firers must test the firing cable prior to use and make an approved connection when joining firing cables.
  • Shot firers must confirm the electrical signal (% ohm test reading) is compliant before firing the shot.
• Blast exclusion zones for surface and underground operations.
  • Ensure restricted access to blast areas during blasting operations and firing of blasts.
  • Consider the risks associated with fly rock, dust and fumes produced during the blast.
• Explosives magazines should be maintained to Australian Standards AS2187.1 :1998-Explosives-Storage.
• Explosives transport vehicles should comply to the ‘Australia Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail–Third edition’.
  • Ensure the correct signage is displayed on vehicles, such as explosives class diamonds for the type of explosive being transported.
  • ‘EXPLOSIVE’ signage displayed as per the requirements of the code.
  • Emergency procedures documentation must be available inside the vehicle.
• Review emergency evacuation distances for potential large fires on ‘Mobile Processing Units’ (MPU) and bulk ammonium nitrate emulsion trucks.
  • Review site emergency procedures to meet with best practice guidance provided in ‘Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail Editon 7.9-2024’.
  • Confirm the site emergency management plan is tested to ensure all persons can be evacuated from the designated emergency zone within the designated time.  

Note: The Regulator is currently assessing on-site emergency response at coal mines in another assessment program. Further information about emergency management at coal mines will be provided in a report by the Regulator.