Protecting mineworkers from the hazards of electricity

Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie electrical mine engineers will meet tomorrow to discuss the latest developments in mine workers’ protection from the hazards of electricity.

According to Deputy Director-General Primary Industries, Mineral Resources, Alan Coutts, thirty mine electrical engineers and mine safety operations electrical staff are expected to attend tomorrow’s meeting.

"Electricity plays a huge role in every aspect of today’s mining industry," he said.

“It powers underground mining machines, drives giant above ground drag-lines and even runs the small jack hammers used in one-person opal mines.

“Today’s mines could not operate without electricity but with its advantages come the hazards of potential electric shock or even electrocution", said Mr Coutts.

Topics to be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting include:

• Electrical engineering incidents in coal mines
• Legislation
• Australian & international standards along with
• The introduction of new mine safety operations assessment program.

“This assessment program will focus on how NSW underground coal mines manage electrical explosion-protected equipment, designed to prevent explosions in cases where there is gas in the mine” said Mr Coutts.

The meeting will be held at the Department of Primary Industry’s new Mine Safety Technology Centre at Thornton near Maitland,

The MSTC has been specifically designed to world's best standards and is staffed by specialised mine safety scientists and engineers.  Testing and research projects as well as training are provided from this new facility.

The main areas of work at this facility comprise analytical services, occupational hygiene and equipment certification.  The mobile gas analysis laboratories operate from the MSTC, where they are well placed for any emergency call-out to mine sites.

"Reducing the risk of electrical accidents in our mines and quarries is an important part of protecting our workers," said Mr Coutts.

The Department of Primary Industries, Mineral Resources has a specialist Mine Safety Branch, which is responsible among other things for electrical safety in our mines.

The NSW Government has instigated mandatory reporting of all electric shock incidents – not just those causing injury or burns requiring first aid.

Tomorrow’s meeting is being presented as part of the Mineral Resources continued safety awareness program.

Tomorrow’s meeting follows one held earlier this week also at the Mine Safety Technology Centre by the Hunter Industry Electrical Safety Network.