1 coal mining safety & health regulation 2000 chapter 4 underground regulation roger bancroft...

$: 1 COAL MINING SAFETY & HEALTH REGULATION 2000 CHAPTER 4 UNDERGROUND REGULATION Roger Bancroft Deputy Chief Inspector of Mines (Technical) C:\TECHSERVICES$
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COAL MINING

SAFETY & HEALTH REGULATION 2000

CHAPTER 4

UNDERGROUND REGULATION

Roger Bancroft Deputy Chief Inspector of Mines (Technical)C:\TECHSERVICES FILES\LEGISLATION\UGROUNDREGS1.PPT

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APPLIES TO UNDERGROUND WORKINGS AND

ANYTHING CONNECTED TO UNDERGROUND

WORKINGS

BELT CONVEYORS

MAIN FAN STRUCTURES

ELECTRIC CABLES

MONITORING EQUIPMENT

CONCEPTS

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EXPLOSION RISK ZONES

PROVISION OF METHANE DETECTORS

STONEDUSTING

USE OF ALUMINIUM

WELDING

INSPECTIONS

POTENTIAL INRUSHES

ESCAPEWAYS

FIREFIGHTING

FAILURE OF MAIN FAN

USE OF AUXILIARY FANS

MAJOR DIFFERENCES TO 1925 REGULATIONS

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Risk assessment required to determine location and types of Explosion Risk Zones

TYPESERZ0 -

any place where methane is or could be greater than 2%

ERZ1 any place where methane is or could be between

0.5% and 2%NERZ

any place where methane is less than 0.5%

EXPLOSION RISK ZONES

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EXPLOSION RISK ZONESERZ1The mine or any part where it is known or assessed that methane could be present in the general body of the atmosphere in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 2 percent

PLUS following places

where coal or other material is being mined

within goaf areas

where ventilation is not being provide to meet the required standards

where connections to or repairs to methane drainage ranges are being made

where drilling for exploration or seam drainage is taking place.

Inbye side of inbye rib of last line of cuthroughs

all of those places that are on the return side of the above

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PROVISION OF AUTOMATIC METHANE DETECTORS 1

Equipment Item or Location Required Detection Arrangements

Continuous Miner or CoalCutter

Either one or two automatic methane detectors.

Mobile Bolting Machine One automatic methane detector.Tunnelboring or RoadheadingMachine

Either one or two automatic methane detectors

Longwall Shearer One automatic methane detector

Longwall Face /Gate RoadReturn Junction

One automatic methane detector.

Longwall Face /Gate RoadIntake Junction


Electrically Powered Loader Either provided with one automatic methane detector orthe operating location must be periodically inspected bya person using a portable detector.

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Battery or internal combustionengine powered explosion-protected load-haul dump unitconstructed prior to 1 January2001.

Until 1January 2006 may be either provided with one automaticmethane detector or the operating location must be periodicallyinspected by a person using a portable detector. After 1 January2006 one automatic methane detector must be fitted.

Battery or internal combustionengine powered explosion-protected load-haul dump unitconstructed after 1 January2001.


Explosion protected battery orinternal combustion enginepowered vehicle other than aload-haul dump unit.

Either provided with one automatic methane detector or theoperating location must be periodically inspected by a personusing a portable detector.

Non-explosion protected batteryor internal combustion enginepowered vehicle.

Either provided with one automatic methane detector or theoperating location must be periodically inspected by a personusing a portable detector.

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Other non-intrinsically safeexplosion protected electricalequipment.

Either provided with one automatic methanedetector or the operating location must beperiodically inspected by a person using aportable detector.

Auxiliary Exhausting Fan One automatic methane detector.

Booster Fan One automatic methane detector.

Interface of a NERZ and anERZ1

One automatic methane detector in each intakeat the interface between the zones.

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METHANE DETECTORS- RESPONSE LEVELS 1Equipment Item or

Location DetailsMethane Level

DetectedAction to be Taken

Continuous Miner, Coal Cutter,Longwall Shearer, TunnelboringRoadheading or Mobile Boltingmachine fitted with either one ortwo automatic methane detectors.

1.00% Detector must provide machine operator with anaudible and visual alarm to indicate that methaneis present.

Continuous Miner, Coal Cutter,Tunnelboring or Roadheadingmachine fitted with one automaticmethane detector located to detectmethane near the cutters.

2.00% Detector must automatically trip power to thetrailing cable supplying power to the equipment.

Continuous Miner, Coal Cutter,Tunnelboring or Roadheadingmachine fitted with two automaticmethane detectors, one located todetect methane near the cuttersand the other to detect generalbody concentrations around themachine.

2.00% nearcutters

Detector must automatically trip power to thecutters.

2.00% ingeneral body

aroundequipment

Detector must automatically trip power to thetrailing cable supplying power to the equipment.

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Mobile Bolting Machine 2.00% in generalbody aroundequipment

Detector must automatically trip powerto the trailing cable supplying power tothe equipment.

1.25% in generalbody aroundequipment

Detector must automatically trip powerto the cutters.

Longwall Shearer


Detector must automatically trip powerto the trailing cable supplying power tothe equipment.

Longwall Face /Gate RoadReturn Junction


Detector must automatically trip powerto the cables supplying power to theequipment at the Gate Road ReturnJunction and return side of it.

Longwall Face /Gate RoadIntake Junction


Detector must automatically trip powerto the cables supplying power to alllongwall equipment.

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METHANE DETECTORS- RESPONSE LEVELS 3

Equipment Item orLocation Details

Methane LevelDetected

Action to be Taken

Battery or internalcombustion engine poweredexplosion protected vehicle ofany type fitted with oneautomatic methane detector.


Detector must provide visual and audible alarm andoperator must immediately withdraw equipment tolocation where methane concentration is less than1.00%.


Detector must immediately shut down the internalcombustion engine and / or electrical motors.

Battery or internalcombustion engine poweredexplosion protected vehicle ofany type constructed prior to1 January 2001 and not fittedwith one automatic methanedetector.

1.00% in thegeneral body

aroundequipment

Operator must immediately withdraw equipment tolocation where methane concentration is less than1.00%.


Operator must immediately manually shut downthe internal combustion engine and / or electricalmotors.

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Location DetailsMethane

LevelDetected

Action to be Taken

Battery or internal combustionengine powered non-explosionprotected vehicle of any typefitted with one automaticmethane detector.

0.25% Detector must provide visual and audiblealarm and operator must immediatelywithdraw equipment to location wheremethane concentration is less than 0.25%.

0.50% Detector must immediately shut down theinternal combustion engine and / or electricalmotors.

Battery or internal combustionengine powered non-explosionprotected vehicle of any typeand not fitted with oneautomatic methane detector.

0.25% Operator must immediately withdrawequipment to location where methaneconcentration is less than 0.25%.

0.50% Operator must manually immediately shutdown the internal combustion engine and / orelectrical motors.

Locations in the mine wherewelding and hot work isundertaken.

0.5% Welding operator must immediately shut downoperations and quench any hot material wheremethane concentration is greater than 0.50%.

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METHANE DETECTORS- RESPONSE LEVELS 5

Equipment Item orLocation Details

MethaneLevel

Detected

Action to be Taken

Other non-intrinsically safeexplosion protected electricalequipment fitted with oneautomatic methane detector.

2.00% Detector must automatically trip power to thetrailing cable supplying power to theequipment.

Other non-intrinsically safeexplosion protected electricalequipment not fitted with oneautomatic methane detector.

1.25% Person detecting methane must immediatelymanually trip power to the trailing cablesupplying power to the equipment.

Auxiliary Exhausting fanfitted with one automaticmethane detector.

1.25% ingeneral

bodyaround

drive motor

Detector must automatically trip power to thetrailing cable supplying power to the fan.

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Booster fan fitted with oneautomatic methane detector.

1.25% in generalbody around drive

motor

Detector must automatically initiate alarmsand actions in accordance with the operationalprotocols established for the fan.

Main fan fitted with oneautomatic methane detector.

An suchconcentrations as

defined in theoperational protocols

for the fan

Detector must automatically initiate alarmsand actions in accordance with the operationalprotocols established for the fan.

A ventilation split or mainreturn airway monitored byone automatic methanedetector.

At suchconcentrations as

defined in theoperational protocols

for the mine

Detector must automatically initiate alarmsand actions in accordance with the operationalprotocols established for the mine.

An interface of a NERZ andan ERZ1 monitored by anautomatic methane detector.

0.25% Detector must provide visual and audiblealarm.

0.50% Detector must automatically trip power supplyto all non-intrinsically safe circuits installed inthe ERZ1 and any NERZ or sub-NERZ zone.

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PROPOSED BORD AND PILLAR METHANE MONITORINGPROPOSED BORD AND PILLAR METHANE MONITORINGAUTOMATIC DETECTORS

9 8 7 6

Explosion risk zone 1 - all returns and every road on intake side of any point likely to have above 0.5 % CH4+ inbye the inbye rib of last cuthrough

Pillars 50m long

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Typical Longwall panel

Supports

A.F.C.

SHEARER

BOUNDARIES OF ERZ1 ZONES TO BE MARKED

PROPOSED METHANE MONITORING ON LONGWALLSPROPOSED METHANE MONITORING ON LONGWALLS

ERZ1

AUTOMATIC DETECTORS

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AUTOMATIC MONITORS FOR MINEAUTOMATIC MONITORS FOR MINE

GOAF

FACE MONITORS

1st OUTBYE MONITORS

IF FACE MONITORS TRIP AT > 0.5% POWER GOES OFF TO 1st OUTBYE MONITORS OR SURFACE UNLESS 2ND SET OF MONITORS INSTALLED OUTBYE

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STONEDUSTING REQUIREMENTS

• NO REQUIREMENT FOR WATER OR STONE DUST

BARRIERS

• SYSTEM MUST BE DEVELOPED FOR MINIMISING

PRODUCTION OF AIRBORNE DUST

• SYSTEM MUST BE DEVELOPED FOR DETERMINATION OF

AIRBORNE DUST PRODUCTION RATE AND AMOUNT OF

STONE DUST OR OTHER INHIBITOR NEEDED TO

PREVENT EXPLOSION

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STONEDUSTING REQUIREMENTS

Requirement Mine Location Zones

All panelroadways in a200 metre zoneoutbye lastcompleted line ofcut-throughs.

Pillar cross-cutsand longwallroadways in a200 metre zonewithin 400metres of theface.

All roadways andcut-throughs in a200 metre zone atstart of panel.

All other returnroadways and cut-throughs.

Other intakeroadways and cut-throughs.

% non-combustibles inroadway dustsample

85 85 80 80 70

Sample collectionfrequency

Spot samples

Strip samples

Weekly

Monthly

Weekly

Monthly Monthly Monthly 3 Monthly

INBYE LAST CUTHROUGH - EVERY 24HOURS IF GREATER THAN 50M ADVANCE

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STONEDUSTING REQUIREMENTSSTONEDUSTING REQUIREMENTSG

OA

F

LONGWALL PILLARS 100M LONG

PANEL PILLARS 50M LONG

OUTBYE

85% incombustibles

80% incombustibles70% incombustibles

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USE OF ALUMINIUM Exposed aluminium alloy must not be used

underground if it contains more than 6 percent of magnesium and titanium

External rotating or reciprocating parts not to contain more than 0.6 percent magnesium and titanium

A mine must establish and implement controls for the storage, transport, handling, use and disposal of alloy objects and equipment used underground.

The controls are to take into account the fact that accumulation of alloy dust can be explosive or combustible.

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WELDING 1

Welding in Areas other than a Permanent Workshop

NO WELDING IN ANY AREA WHERE FLUSHING OF METHANE GREATER THAN 0.5% CANNOT BE CONTROLLED.

WELDING TO STOP IF MORE THAN 0.5% METHANE.

WELDING AND HOT WORK MUST BE AUTHORISED BY THE MANAGER.

A RISK ASSESSMENT MUST BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE WELDING

FIRE WATCH MUST BE POSTED DURING AND AFTER THE WORK IS COMPLETED.

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WELDING 2

Welding in Areas other than a Permanent Workshop

WELDING TO BE SUPERVISED BY PERSON WITH 1st, 2nd OR DEPUTY’S CERTIFICATE

THE AREA MUST BE STONE DUSTED TO AT LEAST 80 PERCENT ON ALL ROADWAYS

ONLY PERSONS INVOLVED ALLOWED IN THE VENTILATION SPLIT

ACCURATE AND ADEQUATE RECORDS MUST BE KEPT

AN INSPECTOR MUST BE NOTIFIED WITHIN 7 DAYS.

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WELDING 3Welding or Hot Work in a Permanent Underground Workshop

PERMANENT UNDERGROUND WORKSHOP ONLY ALLOWED IN A NERZ ZONE.

WELDING TO BE CARRIED OUT WHERE METHANE MAINTAINED AT LESS THAN 0.5 PERCENT.

WELDING MUST STOP WHERE METHANE IS GREATER THAN 0.5 PERCENT.

WELDING TO BE SUPERVISED BY PERSON WITH 1st, 2nd OR DEPUTY’S CERTIFICATE

MINE MUST ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT CONTROLS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF A PERMANENT UNDERGROUND WORKSHOP.

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INSPECTIONS 1At each mine a schedule for regular periodic inspections of

the various zones of the mine workings must be determined,

having regard to the types of activities and potential hazards

in those zones.

Standard Operating Procedures for Inspections

Matters that must be considered include:

the types of activities taking place and potential hazards in

the various zones to be inspected;

the required frequency of inspections to ensure safety;

who will conduct inspections, and

the competencies required for persons conducting

inspections.

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INSPECTIONS 2Standard operating procedures governing the conduct of

inspections to be developed must include the following procedures:

carrying out of inspections who must carry them out inspections competencies of persons undertaking inspections things and matters that must be inspected time intervals between successive inspections; rectification of any unsafe matters determined by

inspections; reporting the results of inspections as required by the

regulations; closing entry to dangerous parts of the mine and/or

removing persons from such places; and workforce understanding the purpose of the inspections

and associated reports defining their responses to results of inspections

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INSPECTIONS 3

STANDARD FOR INSPECTION OF MINE WORKINGS

CONTAINS THREE SECTIONS

PART A - DEALS WITH GENERAL INSPECTION

MATTERS

PART B - DEALS WITH SOP’s AND

SCHEDULING OF INSPECTIONS

PART C -IS A DEFAULT INSPECTION REGIME IF

NO SOP’S AND INSPECTION

ZONES DETERMINED

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INSPECTIONS 4Conduct of Inspections

At a mine, inspections of the workings must be carried out in accordance with either:

Parts A and B of the Standard for Inspection of Mine Workings; or Parts A and C of the Standard for Inspection of Mine Workings.

Standard Operating Procedures must be developed in relation to inspections and other matters arising from them.

Sufficient competent persons must be appointed to carry out required inspections within the time intervals defined for the inspections.

A person appointed to conduct an inspection may also have other assigned duties but those other duties must not impede the person's ability to conduct the required inspection in a thorough and timely manner.

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INSPECTIONS 5Conduct of Inspections

Who May Conduct an Inspection

A person conducting an inspection required under the

Regulations must:

be appointed for that purpose; and

have the competencies and skills necessary to

enable him to make adequate and accurate

assessments of the conditions of safety of the

workings being inspected.

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INSPECTIONS 6

INSPECTION DISTRICTS

• MINE MUST BE DIVIDED INTO INSPECTION DISTRICTS

• BOUNDARIES OF DISTRICTS MUST BE CLEARLY DEFINED

• PERSON APPOINTED UNDER SECTION 60(9) OF ACT MAY

HAVE CONTROL OF ONE OR MORE ERZ1 ZONES(ADJACENT)

• DEPUTY MUST BE IN ZONE IF PRODUCTION TAKING PLACE-

PRODUCTION CAN CONTINUE IF DEPUTY INSPECTION

ADJACENT ERZ0 ZONE

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POTENTIAL INRUSHES MINE MUST DETERMINE BY RISK ASSESSMENT ANY SOURCE OF

INRUSH FROM ANY DIRECTION AND ANY DISTANCE THAT COULD AFFECT MINE WORKINGS

DETAILS MUST BE KEPT OFLocation and nature of the inrush source.

Nature and thickness of the strata, measured in any

plane that separates the inrush source from the

workings that could be affected.

presence of any faults, dykes or boreholes in that

separating strata.

Any other relevant data.

SOP MUST BE IMPLEMENTED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT METHOD OF WORKING REDUCES RISK FROM INRUSH TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS

SOP MUST BE KEPT UP TO DATE AND PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED

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ESCAPEWAYS 1

AT LEAST TWO SEPARATE TRAFFICABLE ENTRANCES FROM THE SURFACE.

FROM ERZ1 ZONE MUST HAVE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS OF ESCAPE TO THE SURFACE OR A PLACE OF REFUGE.

TWO SEPARATE INTAKE AIRWAYS MUST BE PROVIDED EXCEPTING FOR SINGLE PRODUCTION UNIT.

DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ENTRY IN THE COURSE OF BEING DRIVEN.

PRIMARY ESCAPEWAYS

AT LEAST ONE OF THE ESCAPEWAYS MUST BE AN INTAKE AIRWAY AND NAMED THE PRIMARY ESCAPEWAY.

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ESCAPEWAYS 2

THE PRIMARY ESCAPEWAY MUST BE SEGREGATED FROM ALL OTHER ROADWAYS BY SEGREGATION CONTROL DEVICES.

PRIMARY ESCAPEWAY DRIVEN AFTER REGULATION COMMENCES MUST BE TRAFFICABLE BY MECHANISED EQUIPMENT UNLESS IT IS A DEVELOPMENT DRIVEN WITH TWO HEADINGS TO SERVICE A SINGLE PRODUCTION DISTRICT.

THE PRIMARY ESCAPEWAY MUST, AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, BE FREE FROM THE RISK OF FIRE AND INCLUDE FIRE SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT ON OR ADJACENT TO ANY EQUIPMENT

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ESCAPEWAYS 3ESCAPEWAYS 3G

OA

F

LONGWALL PILLARS 100M LONG

OUTBYE

PRIMARY ESCAPEWAYS

INTAKES

RETURNS

SUBSTANTIAL AIRTIGHT STOPPINGS

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FIREFIGHTING 1 RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS MUST BE CARRIED OUT TO IDENTIFY ALL POTENTIAL

FIRE HAZARDS AT THE MINE.

MUST BE PROVIDED AT THE MINE AT ALL TIMES, SUITABLE AND SUFFICIENT MEANS TO EXTINGUISH ANY FIRE TYPE IDENTIFIED BY THE RISK ASSESSMENT.

NO BUILDING OR STRUCTURE LOCATED IN ANY UNDERGROUND MINE, MUST BE CONSTRUCTED OF ANY FLAMMABLE MATERIAL WHICH MAY CAUSE DANGER FROM FIRE

MUST BE APPOINTED AT EVERY UNDERGROUND COAL MINE ONE OR MORE FIRE OFFICERS WHO MUST BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

INSPECTIONS, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

KEEPING INSPECTION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE RECORDS

IDENTIFYING TRAINING NEEDS AND IMPLEMENTING TRAINING PROGRAMS

ENSURING THE CURRENCY OF FIRE FIGHTING PLANS AND PROCEDURES;

ENSURING THAT THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IS OPERATING.

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FIREFIGHTING 2

ALL FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS MUST BE

COMPATIBLE THROUGHOUT THE MINE

PORTABLE FIRE FIGHTING EXTINGUISHERS MUST BE LOCATED ON

OR NEAR ALL EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATIONS IDENTIFIED BY

RISK ASSESSMENT

SOP’s FOR ACTION IN EVENT OF FIRE TO BE DEVELOPED AND

DISPLAYED

MINE MUST DISPLAY A FIRE FIGHTING PLAN IN A SUITABLE

POSITION ON THE SURFACE

PLAN MUST BE REVISED AT REGULAR INTERVALS TO ENSURE

THAT THE INFORMATION ON THE PLAN IS KEPT CURRENT

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HOT WORK (HEAT STRESS) IF WET BULB TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 270 C, MINE MUST

IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM TO ENSURE THE HEALTH OF PERSONS.

PERSON MUST NOT WORK WHERE THE EFFECTIVE TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 29.40 C

EXCEPT

IN THE EVENT OF ESCAPE IN AN EMERGENCY: OR

WHERE A PERSON IS ENGAGED IN WORK DESIGNED TO REDUCE

THE EFFECTIVE TEMPERATURE OF A WORKING PLACE: OR

IS WORKING IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROTOCOLS DEVELOPED

BY THE MINES RESCUE SERVICE

RECOGNISED STANDARD DEVELOPED FOR HEAT STRESS MANAGEMENT.

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FAILURE OF MAIN FAN

ACTION TO BE TAKEN IF VENTILATION FAILS

AT EACH MINE A STANDARD OPERATING

PROCEDURE MUST BE DEVELOPED AND

USED TO SPECIFY THE ACTION THAT MUST

BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF

PERSONS IN THE EVENT THAT THE

VENTILATION FAILS IN WHOLE OR IN PART.

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USE OF AUXILIARY FANS 1

ONLY FANS OF A CERTIFIED TYPE MAY BE USED UNDERGROUND.

THE VENTILATION OFFICER MUST HAVE IN PLACE A DOCUMENTED SYSTEM FOR THE OPERATION OF FANS.

AUXILIARY FAN MUST BE LOCATED AND OPERATED TO PREVENT RECIRCULATION.

MINIMUM QUANTITY OF AIR FLOWING IN ANY PANEL MUST BE THE COMBINED SUM OF THE OPEN CIRCUIT OF EACH FAN PLUS 30% OF THE LARGEST FAN OPEN CIRCUIT CAPACITY.

AUXILIARY FAN MUST BE SWITCHED OFF AUTOMATICALLY IN THE EVENT OF ANY FAILURE OF THE MAIN VENTILATION SYSTEM.

SCRUBBER FANS MUST BE LOCATED AND OPERATED IN SUCH MANNER AS TO PREVENT UNCONTROLLED RECIRCULATION OF AIR.

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AUXILIARY FANS 2AUXILIARY FANS 2

Typical Bord and Pillar panel

9 8 7 6

12 CU MTRE/SEC

15 CU MTRE/SEC

32 CU MTRE/SEC

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USE OF AUXILIARY FANS 3

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MUST BE DEVELOPED FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING CLASSIFICATIONS OF FANS:

AUXILIARY FANS; BOOSTER FANS; AND FANS INSTALLED AS INTEGRAL PARTS OF

SCRUBBER SYSTEMS ON MOBILE MACHINES THAT ARE IN USE AT THE MINE

ANY SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES A COMBINATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FANS

1 coal mining safety & health regulation 2000 chapter 4 underground regulation roger bancroft...

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