1. The Hidden Hazards in Non-Coal Mining Nick Hardie C.Eng. EUCOSH workshop 25.3.2014, Beijing

2. Law of the People's Republic of China on Safety in Mines Article 18 Mining enterprises must adopt preventive measures against the following hidden dangers of accidents that jeopardize safety: 1.roof falling, slabbing, slope sliding, and surface collapsing; 2.gas blast and coal dust explosion; 3.bumps, gas outburst and blowout; 4.fire and flood on surface and underground; 5.perils arising from blasting explosives and blasting operations; 6.perils caused by dust, poisonous and harmful gases, radioactive and other harmful substances; and 7.other perils.

3. Non-Coal mining The sector of non-coal covers: Surface and underground mines Stratified, vein and massive deposits of minerals Metals and non-metals Large and small operations Hazards will be very different and the risk from the hazards will vary – Many of these hazards are of a low probability but have a high consequence if they occur

4. Roof falling, Slabbing, Slope Sliding, and Surface Collapsing These require engineered design and geotechnical assessment and are fundamental to any mining operation. Empirical and observational methods should be used

5. Checking for loose rock Fatalities and many less serious injuries are caused by falling rock – even a small piece falling from a height can cause injury The process of checking and removal of loose rock is known as scaling (see safe scaling document)

6. Gas Blast and Coal Dust Explosion Obviously applies to coal mines, but similar hazards may exist in other situations Use of gas cutting equipment in confined spaces Other flammable gasses Other flammable dusts, organic and metal sulphide explosions

7. Bumps, Gas Outburst and Blowout Bumps or rock-burst hazard and outbursts are a potential ”low probability, but high consequence” events, and the risk should be assessed RA should consider past history of similar incidents not only at the site in question, but in similar mines and deposits, locally and internationally Often related to depth, so reassessment is needed when moving to new or deeper areas

8. Bumps, Gas Outburst and Blowout: Controls Mining design – taking account of natural stresses Mining method – continuous miners may place operator in danger zone Relieving / probing boreholes Seismic monitoring

9. Fire and flood on surface and underground Fire If we break the “fire triangle” fire cannot start – removal of fuel, source of ignition, or oxygen supply Emergency preparedness will cover the residual risk Consequence of fire underground may seriously affect more than the immediate area Consider the effects and assess risk of an external fire (e.g. forest fire) on underground ventilation system

10. Fire control and risk reduction Safe storage and control of flammable substances and waste and oxidising agents Control of sources of ignition; hot work RA and permits, frictional and chemical heating, smoking underground, electrical installations, vehicle maintenance Education, training and emergency drill s

11. Flooding - surface Consider extreme weather events and their effects on drainage and reticulation, particular attention to spillways and freeboard on lagoons Consider effect of flooding on all operations such as electrical power and communication and the risk to workforce attempting to get to work Floods on surface may affect underground operations

12. Flooding underground Design of pumping system must be adequate to cope with all expected conditions Precaution against inrush; bulkhead doors, precautionary boreholes, special measures in high risk situations

13. Perils arising from Blasting Explosives and Blasting Operations There are two major risks: 1.Inadvertent or unplanned detonation 2.Failure to ensure a safe distance or danger zone during a planned detonation Other hazards include increased fire hazard, damage to infrastructure or services, or unplanned collapse due to poor blast design

14. Explosive and Blasting Hazard Control A comprehensive and rigorous safe system of work is essential Principal control is a requirement for trained and competent persons to handle and use explosive Everyone involved in the use of explosives, or working in an area where explosives are used must be trained and educated and have no doubt about the requirements of the safe system of work A problem with a strict SSOW is that there is frequent temptation to cut corners – HUMAN FACTORS

15. Explosive and Blasting Hazard Control Some parts of the safe system of work for explosives are statutory (required by law) other parts are site specific. A basic requirement is: Procedure for safe manufacture, transport, storage and use of explosive to prevent inadvertent detonation Design and planning and control of blasting to safely achieve desired result The definition and controlled enforcement of access to safety zones Rules for safe disposal of unused explosive Procedure for making safe any misfire Different explosives have different risks and may require additional controls, for example electric detonators must be protected from stray electric current

16. Perils caused by Dust, Poisonous and Harmful Gases, Radioactive and other Harmful Substances Determine composition and quantity, for example, some dusts are more harmful than others. Occupational exposure limits are defined, for example in EH40 Work out Dose that workers receive and keep records. Plan appropriate control using ALARP principle

17. Perils caused by Dust, Poisonous and Harmful Gases, Radioactive and other Harmful Substances Controls: Design of suppression at source, PPE is the last resort Ventilation, quantity and design Limiting exposure of individuals Active and passive monitoring for radioactive substances Other substances can include chemicals used in processes, respiratory sensitizers, biological hazards

18. Other Perils A “catch all” that means that a Risk Assessment approach is the only way to comply; every job will require that we ask: 1.What could go wrong and who could be hurt?, and 2.What preventative controls can we put in place? Other perils will definitely include these major hazards that are the main cause of accidents in non-coal mines of all types: Mechanical and electrical hazards Vehicle hazards Falls from heights

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