Colleagues
Please take note of these incidents most of which resulted in fatalities and all of which
were preventable
1.
Worker drowns whilst cleaning a blocked drain hole in an underground sump –
NSW June 2014
A mine worker at an underground copper mine in NSW was attempting to unblock a drain
hole in an underground sump cubby. The borehole is about 30 m long to the next level
and at the time of the accident it was not covered nor guarded as below. The strainer had
been removed and contained a plastic bag and was found about 10 m from the drain
hole.
The sump was observed to be overflowing into the haulage and not draining to the lower
level. The sump cubby was at least 1,5 m deep in water. Two employees entered the area
in a trackless vehicle to see if they could resolve the blockage. When they dropped the
steel scaling rod they were using, one of the workers got out of the vehicle into the 1,5 m
deep water. It appears that he walked over the unguarded drain hole and he was sucked
in and disappeared under the surface.
It is imperative that drain holes are properly covered and guarded. Ideally an additional
ventilation hole should be constructed adjacent to the main hole such that in the event of
an person inadvertently getting their arm or leg sucked in, the ventilation hole will
relieve the vacuum sufficiently to allow the person to rescue themself. A good example of
such an arrangement is shown below –
2.
Pump impellor hub explosion fatal – US sand and gravel mine
A production supervisor and two assistants were trying to remove a siezed impellor off its
shaft in a slurry pump in a small sand and gravel mine. When they could not get it off, he
decided to cut into the centre hub of the impellor which although small, is an enclosed
volume. It heated up then exploded killing the supervisor.
This is a repeat fatality from persons cutting up sealed or enclosed volumes without
being aware of the consequences of their actions. The following must be re-inforced into
all standards, procedures and practices to ensure it never happens again -
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Establish and discuss safe work procedures before beginning work. Identify
and control all hazards associated with the work to be performed and use
methods to properly protect persons.
Train all persons to understand the hazards associated with the work being
performed.
Do not apply heat or open flame where enclosed spaces such as
impeller hubs, mounted tyres, suspension struts, or tanks may be
subject to explosion except as directed by the manufacturer.
Always examine materials before applying heat, cutting, or welding to ensure
gases from the applied heat can vent.
Never apply heat to materials before ensuring that
flammables/combustibles/explosive materials are not present.
Never apply heat to materials where pressure build up is possible.
Do not apply heat or open flame where lubricants, oil, or grease are present.
Use special tools, provided by the manufacturer, to loosen an impeller on a
pump.
Refer to the maintenance manual, warning labels on the pump, or contact the
manufacturer for special safety precautions.
3.
Cross travel motor fell off an overhead crane
A second incident where the cross travel motor fell off an overhead crane occurred at a
refinery recently. Two years ago an employee was killed when such a motor fell off its
crane in a workshop. In this second incident the motor circled in red fell just 2 m from
the operator whose position at the time is circled in yellow. Engineers are to ensure their
overhead cranes are maintained and serviced paying special attention to these cross
travel motors to ensure they are securely bolted to their frames. No modifications must
be done to these cranes without the written approval of the OEM who should preferably
do the modifications. Ensure the companies conducting your overhead crane
maintenance are competent and reliable.
4.
Fatal fall from TMM underground
At an underground limestone mine in the US, a mechanic was working on a trackless
machine when he fell off and died from his injuries. The height he fell was only 1.5 m as
below again showing that even working at low heights can result in a fatal. Operations
should enforce the wearing of hard hat chin straps at all times and ensure fall restraint
equipment is used.
5.
Loose clothing fatality
A mine worker with 32 years experience was killed when his clothing became entangled
in the drill steel of the drill he was using. Operations using any types of drilling machines
should ensure the no loose clothing rule is strictly observed and that operators do not
come near any drill steel whilst it is rotating.
Best regards
Brian
Brian P. O’Connor Pr. Eng.
Senior Principal Engineer
Head of Mechanical, Structural and Civil Engineering Department
E [email protected]
D +27 (0) 14 598 4025
F +27 (0) 86 247 5618
M +27 (0) 83 456 6487
Klipfontein main offices
Rustenburg, North West
South Africa
GPS S 25o 42.23’
E 27o 21.95’
PLATINUM
Anglo American Platinum Limited
www.angloamericanplatinum.com
A member of the Anglo American plc group