Coal Services

NSW Coal Mines Airborne Dust Monitoring Framework

Mark Shepherd

Exposure Monitoring Requirements NSW Work Health & Safety (Mines & Petroleum)

Regulation 2014 Coal Industry Act 2001 Order 42 – Airborne dust monitoring

Enforcement Dept. of Industry – Resources Regulator Industry Safety & Health representatives

Review and Oversight Standing Dust Committee Order 40 – Longwall dust abatement

NSW Coal Mines Airborne Dust Monitoring A unique regulatory approach with oversight

Coal Services CMTS - Occupational Hygiene

NATA accredited laboratories in Newcastle, Singleton, Lithgow and Wollongong Additional office in Mudgee CMTS-OH Team 1 Manager 2 Senior Occupational Hygienists 1 Occupational Hygienist 1 Area Supervisor 10 Coal Industry Act Inspectors 1 Chemist / Quality Manger 3 Administration officers

Order 42 Airborne Dust Monitoring - Requirements

Respirable Dust & Quartz Inhalable Dust

Mining Location / Task

Minimum Monitoring Frequency

Number of Crews/Shifts

Assessed

Minimum Monitoring Frequency

Number of Crews/Shifts

Assessed

Longwall Areas 6-months All 12-months All

Continuous Miner Areas 12-months All 12-months One

Cement Product Tasks 12-months One

Other UG Areas 12-months One 12-months One

Open Cut / CHPP 12-months One 12-months One

Order 42 Airborne Dust Monitoring

5 workers assessed per test Accompanied monitoring Integrity of results Quality of reported observations Exceedance contributing factors Provide feedback to the mine to assist control improvements

Exposure limit exceedances require crew to be re-sampled

Order 42 Airborne Dust Monitoring – Results Transparency

Transparent reporting of results Mine Manager District Inspector of Mines Industry Safety & Health Representative (District Check Inspector) Coal Services Standing Dust Committee

Order 42 Airborne Dust Monitoring – 2016 Results

2015 2,817 samples 27 exceedances (0.9%)

677 samples 90 exceedances (13.29%)

1,764 samples 183 exceedances (10.37%)

2016 2,310 samples 7 exceedances (0.3%)

572 samples 47 exceedances (8.2%)

1,406 samples 74 exceedances (5.26%)

Respirable dust

Respirable

quartz

Inhalable dust

Respirable Dust Occupational Exposure Limit Exceedance Rates NSW Coal 1995 – 2016

Standing Dust Committee – Review & Oversight

Established in 1954 Advisory body comprising representatives from Coal Services Mine Managers Australia Association NSW Minerals Council CFMEU Department of Industry Independents

Meets every 2 months and reviews: All airborne dust exceedances and subsequent re-samples Identified exceedance contributing factors Exceedance reviews and controls implemented following reviews

SDC Report

Test number Sample Date Site Occupation/Task PPE Respirable Dust Result (mg/m³)

C02116 17/02/2016 Example Mine A Shearer Operator P2 Cartridge

3.1

Occupational Exposure Limit 2.5 Details / Observations Re-sample status / Actions Longwall Bi-Di – LW 12 at 2002m Crew = A/S Production – 6,500 Tonnes. Shearer initiated support advance operational during shift. Poor roof conditions observed in TG snake area. Exceedance Contributing Factors a) Spray maintenance – sprays either not working or

ineffective at AFC to BSL transfer b) Operator Position – Elevated exposure due to operator standing adjacent to TG drum on MG to TG cut. Operator also observed on return side of shearer for short periods during TG snake cut out.

Status Re-sample completed 2/3/16 and all operator results below OEL. Site Actions a) Site Review b) Procedure Change – Task rotation procedure introduced. Shearer driver must rotate to MG after 2 MG to TG shears. C) Engineering – Sprays at AFC to BSL transfer repaired. Implementation of curtain sprays on advancing chocks in rear walkways. Landmark shear is now conducted on the MG to TG run - allows the operators to clear any advance faults whilst still on the intake side of the shearer. D) Additional Exposure Investigations - Continued LW dust characterisation project (using real time monitor) to better understand dust sources and best operator positions across production cycle.

Airborne Dust OEL Exceedance Contributing Factors NSW Underground Longwall

Airborne Dust OEL Exceedance Contributing Factors NSW Underground Non-Longwall

Order 40 – Abatement of Dust on Longwalls

Initiated in 1990 Mine operator must submit and receive Order 40 approval prior to Longwall

block commencing production Application outlines airborne dust control measures such as: Equipment type, extraction type, ventilation plan, water spray details,

operator position procedures, PPE procedures and any additional suppression

Application review includes analysis of previous Longwall dust results Approval may include conditions – Audit required within 14 days

It’s not just about the results – Prevention is the focus

Use of Respiratory Protection – Understanding the barriers to use. Verifying / validating controls – Are our controls in place and operational? High quality of investigations

Key insights

“And always remember:

What’s on your face you can wash off,

but what’s on your lungs you can’t.

So be safe, and take

care of yourself.”

Working smarter everyday