Regulation Part 6 - Safety in Using Certain Types of Plant in Mines

Question 1

The principal employer and every other employer must ensure that guarding is provided for plant and its operation.

Describe the three types of physical barrier that are allowed and the optional system if the physical barriers are not practicable.

Answer 1

1. Permanently fixed barrier where no person requires partial or complete access.
2. An interlocked physical barrier where a person may require partial or complete access.
3. A physical barrier securely fixed by fasteners so that no-one may gain access without a tool or key.

If none of the above are practicable, then install a presence sensing safe guard system.

Question 2

Where the design of existing plant is altered what are the employers duties?

Answer 2

The Employer must ensure that the altered design is:

• Assessed for hazards as if it were the original design
• Altered, inspected & tested by a competent person before return to service.

Question 3

(a) Define a pressure vessel.

(b) What is required of the employer when a plant has hot or cold parts?

Answer 3

(a) Pressure vessel means a vessel subject to internal or external pressure and;
- includes interconnected parts & components, valves, gauges up to the first point of connection or connecting piping.
- Does not include any boiler or pressure piping.

(b) Employer must ensure that the hot/cold exposure is monitored & appropriately managed to reduce risk of exposure to any associated hazards.
- Where hot plant involves the transportation of molten metal, the employer must ensure access to any part of the transport route is prevented.
- Hot & cold pipes must be adequately guarded / insulated to reduce risk of exposure to any associated hazards.

Question 4

Under the Regulations an employer must identify all reasonably foreseeable hazards associated with plant at certain stages.

Name those stages.

Answer 4

An employer must identify all reasonably foreseeable hazards associated with plant.

• Before & during the installation of plant at the mine.
• Any change in the way the plant is used.
• Any change in the system of work associated with plant which may expose hazards to its employees.
• Hazards that become apparent as a result of new OHS information relating to the plant & its system of work.

Question 5

What do the Regulations require in respect to the duties of the employer in relation to installation, maintenance, etc. of plant?

Answer 5

The employer must ensure:

• A competent person undertakes the installation and is provided with the information necessary to complete works without exposing themselves to hazards.
• The plant is erected in a suitable location for the operation.
• There is sufficient space around the plant so it can be used or repaired without exposure to hazards.
• During testing / start up, if the final means of safe guarding are not in place. that interim safeguards are used.
• The plant is not put in use unless testing, adjustments & inspections indicate the plant is in working order.

Question 6

(a) When a risk of exposure arising from a plant has been identified, the employer must ensure certain precautions that are in addition to regulation 6.2.
List these precautions.

(b) What is required of an employer who engages a contractor to design plant for use in a mine?

Answer 6

(a) The employer must ensure that:
- Control measures are maintained and systems of work implements and supervised to reduce risk of exposure to hazards.
- PPE is provided and properly maintained.
- Where a hazardous situation is reported, persons are not placed so as to risk being exposed to the hazard until rectified.

(b) The employer must ensure that the contractor is provided with all available, relevant safety and health information in regards to the mine.

Question 7

Plant in a mine is to be maintained and operated in a safe manner.

(a) What are the four requirements for risk reduction with respect to operational controls?
(b) What are the three requirements for risk reduction with respect to emergency stop devices?

Answer 7

(a) Operational controls must be:
- Suitably identified on plant
- Located so as to be readily and conveniently operated
- Located or guarded to prevent unintentional activation
- Able to be locked in the “off” position

(b) Emergency stop devices must be:
- Prominent, clearly and durably marked and immediately accessible
- Have handles, bars or push buttons that are coloured red
- Will not be affected by electric or electronic circuit malfunction

Question 8

The employer must identify all foreseeable hazards associated with plant and assess the risk of exposure. The assessment shall include one or more means of evaluation.

List 5 of the methods that could be used.

Answer 8

1. Visual inspection of the plant
2. Auditing
3. Testing
4. Technical or scientific evaluation
5. Analysis of injury or near miss data