An Introduction to the Boulby Underground Labs An Overview of the Health & Safety Structure

Boulby - Where? UK’s only operational Potash mine 1100m deep Shafts sunk 1970

Geology Lias Shales Bunter sandstone – water bearing strata. Whilst sinking shafts rock had to be frozen due to saturation Bunter mudstone horizon prevents water ingress Potash mining horizon ~ 1100m to 1350m

Mine Plan 900 kms of tunnels! 8 miles North, 5 miles South Stub 2 Map of the mine excavations Stub 2 Stub 2a,3 Map of the old Dark Matter research areas ‘H’ Area JIF Area 900 kms of tunnels! 8 miles North, 5 miles South

The Good Old Days - 1990 B & Q Garden Shed Germanium detector Liquid Nitrogen Dewars

Development of Lab Areas Mid 90’s – Stub 2 - ZEPLIN experiment Stub 2a/3 - 200 Ton Water Tank Late 90’s – H Area Home to NAIAD crystals 2002 onwards – JIF Area 1000m2 new lab area housing 2nd Generation dark matter detectors

Health & Safety Structure Figure 1: Interrelationship between stakeholders, relevant safety codes and rulebooks and facility users and experimental projects

Stakeholders HM Mines Inspectorate Cleveland Potash Ltd Boulby Underground Facility Owners & Operators Experimental Institute H&S Groups Experimental Group Power to close Mine Power to close facility responsibility to ensure health and safety codes are implemented responsibility to ensure duty of care is discharged responsibility to ensure experiments comply with H&S regulations and procedures

HM Mines Inspectorate Branch of the Health & Safety Executive HMI is the authorative body for Mines & Quarries in the UK. Regular inspections and recommendations @ Boulby Mine. Has the authority to serve prohibition working notices. Investigates in event of incident/accidents HMI has visited the JIF lab area in July 03 and made recommendations.

Cleveland Potash Ltd (CPL) Mine operators. Authorising agent for Health & Safety on site. Ultimate Duty of Care resides with CPL. They have the power to shutdown experiments/or lab areas for breaches in Health & Safety. The “Managers Rules” are the H & S Bible @ Boulby. Frequent ‘Spot Check’ visits

Boulby Underground Facility Boulby Management Board discharges H & S responsibilities to operational team. Clear communication through regular reporting. Any disputes between Users & Facility resolved. Facility owned by University of Sheffield and operated by CCLRC.

Boulby Underground Facility Group (BUFG) Is the sole point of contact between Users and mine operators (designated CPL Manager) Mechanism to delivery Users needs/requirements. BUFG ‘Gate Keeper’ for operational safety.

Health & Safety Process HMI recommended mechanism by which CPL had an oversight of science operations. The Project Implementation Plan (PIP) was born. All new experiments have to follow this procedure before deployment. Change Control is part of the process

PIP 4. Implementation phase for exp. PIP a ‘living’ document. Change Control forms part of the process 3. Full Study (management of risks, hazards, methods and in the experiment ) approved by Stakeholders including CPL 2. Green Light by BMB for full evaluation New Experiment – initial evaluation

Boulby Safety Panel Meets bi annually. All Home Institute User groups represented. (Sheffield, CCLRC, Imperial College). Audit underground visits to Boulby Form an advisory group in PIP @ Feasibility stage.

Safety Codes Multi layered system. DM Rules (The Bible) written by JM taking into account CPL Managers Rules (Fire Risk Assess etc) CCLRC Risk Assessment’s / Method statements for Experiments COSHH Radiation Local Rules Boulby Safety System (daily booklet completed in Mess room prior to work) On Site practical risk assessment for hostile underground environment.

Supervision Again multi layered approach: Daily Supervisor – appointed by Facility Team. Min. of 50 shifts u/g. Must have passed written exam for competency. Can supervise working people. Approved Persons – Min. of 20 shifts u/g Must have passed written exam for competency. New Starts - Close Personal Supervision. Must be within ear / eye shot at all times. < 20 shifts u/g. Visitors - same as New Starts

Problems with u/g lab areas Mine roof closure – closure rate increased due to unusual geological conditions. Lab reconstruction and relocation of services. Air-conditioning of labs required. Temps can reach 35-40 degrees underground. Power outages – unreliable supply Materials have to go vertically down 5m wide shaft. Underground persons limit is 10. Under discussion with CPL. Ingress of Hydrogen Sulphide gas (replacement of equipment, restrictions to access to labs.) Salt very soluble – limited use of fresh water. Salt corrosive atmosphere – regular checking of equipment that travels in and out of the Pit.