Resources Safety 100 Plain Street EAST PERTH WA 6004 Department of Consumer Email: [email protected] Phone: + 61 8 9222 3333 and Employment Protection Website: www.docep.wa.gov.au/ResourcesSafety Fax: + 61 8 9325 2280 4 A procedure to deal with the accumulation and removal of empty ANFO bags or spillage in an explosives magazine needs to be included as part of the storage requirements in any explosives management plan. Prior to removal from the mine once empty, the ANFO bags should be cleaned and stored outside the magazine and a safe distance from the explosives to reduce the fire risk hazard. All spillage should be cleaned up and removed immediately. Procedures should be developed to ensure that no personnel smoke or take contraband (e.g. lighters, matches, mobile phones, radio transmitters) inside the detonator or explosive magazines. This should be reinforced at periodic retraining sessions for personnel with access to explosives. A water deluge system and fire hoses should be provided at all storage areas where large quantities of explosives, in particular ANFO, are stored. The activation mechanism for the water deluge system should preferably be automatic or otherwise should be accessible from outside the locked magazine. Fire hoses and water should also be similarly installed outside the entrance to magazines. Fire extinguishers need to be placed a safe distance from the explosive storage area so they can be safely utilised in an emergency. Working party magazines need to be sited clear of entrances to currently working development headings and their air intakes so that, in the event of a fire, personnel can retreat to safety without being exposed to the hazards potentially arising from a fire or explosion associated with the magazine. Back up communications in the form of a direct telephone system underground should be considered in addition to any leaky feeder system. The installation of the back up communication should be such that it is connected via a separate route to avoid both sets of communications being damaged by a fire or explosion in any one area. Personnel need to be adequately trained, retrained and regularly reminded of the importance of donning self-rescuers where a fire is evident underground. Once donned, personnel should not attempt to fight the fire but should immediately evacuate the area and proceed to a fresh-air base or refuge. Further guidance The Department has previously issued Safety Bulletin No. 1: Sulphide Dust Explosion Hazard and a Guideline on the Safety Management of Underground Combustible Sulphide Dust, which mine operators should review and implement where a similar hazard is evident. Both documents are available on the Department’s website at www.docep.wa.gov.au/ResourcesSafety in the mining section, under guidance material and publications. Mines should also conform to Australian Standard AS 2187.1:1998 — Explosives Storage Transport and Use — Part 1 in Appendix H, which recommends in part that magazines should be located clear of sources of sulphide dust. Martin Knee STATE MINING ENGINEER
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