Explosives incidents and complaints
4th quarter (October to December) 2016 report
This document presents statistics for all explosives safety and security incidents and complaints reported during
the 4th quarter (October, November and December) of 2016. It also includes a cumulative summary of all safety
and security incidents and complaints for the last twelve month period. The number of injuries and fatalities
occurring in the community and industry are presented for the 4th quarter of 2016, as well as the cumulative total
for the financial year 2016-17.
Community
Industry
4th quarter 2016
0 fatalities 3 injuries
0 fatalities 0 injuries
Financial year to date (2016-17)
0 fatalities 3 injuries
0 fatalities 0 injuries
Figure 1: Explosives incidents and complaints - 4th quarter 2016 by month (October to
December)
October 2016
Suspicious activity, 1
Vehicle Incident, 2
Fireworks Complaint, 7
Blasting Complaint, 1
Breach Exclusion Zone, 1
Damage to explosives / packaging, 1
Flyrock, 1
Misfires, 28
Fume Event, 2
December 2016
November 2016
Fireworks Complaint, 6
Blasting Complaint, 1
Explosives Found, 1
Flyrock, 1
Damage to explosives / packaging, 1
Drill into / near explosives, 1
Flyrock, 1
Fume Event, 1
Illegal activity, 2
Fireworks Complaint, 24
Unsecured
explosives, 1
Unintended initiation, 1
Storage, 1
Misfires, 31
Misfires, 22
Figure 2: Explosives incidents and complaints 4th quarter 2016 TOTAL (October to
December)
Vehicle Incident
2
Unsecured explosives
1
Unintended initiation
1
Storage
1
Suspicious activity
1
Misfires
Illegal activity
81
2
Fume Event
3
Flyrock
3
Explosives Found
1
Drill into / near explosives
1
Authorised
by
Chief
Inspector
of
Damage to explosives / packaging
2Explosives | Noel Erichsen
Version 1, 12 September 2016,
Page 4
The information contained in this report is provided for information only.
Breach Exclusion Zone
1
It is not to be taken as a statement of law and must not be construed to
Blasting
Complaint
2
waive or modify any legal obligation.
Fireworks
Complaint
37
See more safety
alerts
and bulletins at http://mines.industry.qld.gov.au/
Follow our updates and on Twitter and Facebook
0 of Natural
10 Resources
20
40
© State of Queensland, Department
and 30
Mines, 2016.
50
60
70
80
90
Figure 3: Breakdown of misfire causes - 4th quarter 2016 by month (October to
December)
Misfires - October 2016
Loading Method
Water damage
Unknown/unidentified
Lead line cut
Dislocation of column
Water damage
Unknown/unidentified
Slumping of product
Loading method
Initiating Lead Line Failure
Improper tie-in
Explosives found during excavation
Down lines fell in hole
Dislocation of column
Detonator failure
3
1
4
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
5
1
0
2
4
6
Misfires - November 2016
Loading method
Water damage
Unknown/unidentified
Improper tie-in
Dislocation of column
Detonator failure
Unknown/unidentified
Slumping of product
Improper tie-in
Explosives Found During Excavation
Electronic Detonator "No-Read/ No-Log"
Dislocation of column
2
1
2
2
1
9
5
2
1
1
1
4
0
2
4
6
8
10
Misfires - December 2016
Unknown/unidentified
Unknown/unidentfied
Slumping of product
Loading method
Lead line cut
Incorrect/loss of plotting data
Explosives Found During Excavation
Downline Cut (Loading/ Stemming)
Dislocation of column
Detonator failure
3
5
4
1
1
1
1
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
General
Underground
Explosives incidents and complaints
4th quarter (October, November and December) 2016
© State of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 2017
Page 2 of 6
Figure 4: Past year incidents January 2016 – December 2016
Incidents other than misfires (198)
Unsecured explosives
10
Theft of explosives
2
Explosives found
4
Explosives Discrepancy
9
Vehicle incident
15
Unintended initiation
1
Suspicious activity
3
Storage
1
Pump incident
2
Other
16
Illegal Activity
2
Fume Event
21
Flyrock
6
Drill into / near explosives
1
Damage to explosives / packaging
6
Breach Exclusion Zone
9
Sales complaint
3
Blasting complaint
21
Fireworks complaint
66
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Other incidents,
198
Misfires, 359
Explosives incidents and complaints
4th quarter (October, November and December) 2016
© State of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 2017
Page 3 of 6
Breakdown of incidents for 4th quarter 2016 (October to December)
Security
Description
Explosives involved
Explosives found (1 incident)
Explosives product found while
Blasting explosives
pumping water.
Unsecured explosives (1 incident)
Explosives incorrectly left in
Blasting explosives
packaging box to be dumped
during transfer of stock.
Outcome/Possible causes
Product disposed of using appropriate
procedures.
Explosive stock recovered. Explosives
not identified during reconciliation of
stock which caused discrepancy.
Safety
Mining
Description
Explosives
involved
Outcome/Possible causes
Misfires – aboveground (51 incidents)
Blasting
Nil adverse outcomes
Detonator failure x 2
explosives
Dislocation of column x 11
Down lines fell in hole x 5
Electronic detonator “no-read/no-log” x 1
Explosives found during excavation x 4
Incorrect/loss of plotting data x 1
Improper tie-in x 2
Initiating lead line failure x 1
Lead line cut x 1
Loading method x 2
Slumping of product x 6
Unknown/unidentified x 12
Water damage x 1
Misfires – underground (30 incidents)
Blasting
Nil adverse outcomes
Detonator failure x 9
explosives
Dislocation of column x 3
Improper tie-in x 2
Lead line cut x 1
Loading method x 5
Unknown/unidentified x 9
Water damage x 1
Breach exclusion zone (1 incident)
A light vehicle has driven past a blast guard Blasting
Another blast guard identified the breach
position toward a blast area.
explosives and the vehicle was removed from area.
Damage to explosives/packaging (2 incidents)
Electronic detonator lead run over by vehicle Electronic
Only lead wires impacted. No injuries
on blast bench.
detonators
or initiation occurred.
A forklift penetrated the packaging of 2
Downlines &
Incident investigated by site
boxes of explosives.
detonators
Drill into/near explosives (1 incident)
A drill rig bored beside an unidentified
Blasting
Mine site investigating incident.
misfire.
explosives
Explosives incidents and complaints
4th quarter (October, November and December) 2016
© State of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 2017
Page 4 of 6
Flyrock (3 incidents)
Flyrock hit dozer outside of 300 metre
exclusion zone.
Flyrock observed by loader operator landing
on an access ramp outside of blast
exclusion zone.
Flyrock from burst face put several holes in
workshop shed and broke a windscreen on
a dump truck inside the exclusion zone.
Fume event (3 incidents)
Level 4 fume event. Fume as contained
within fume management zone.
Level 3 fume event. Fume did not move
outside exclusion zone.
Level 4 fume event. A wind change occurred
after firing of a blast. Fume travelled outside
fume management zone, towards workshop
and administration area.
Illegal activity (1 incident)
A decommissioned mobile processing unit
returned from rebuild and was re­
commissioned to manufacture explosives
without a licence.
Suspicious activity (1 incident)
Break in occurred at an explosives
magazine.
Unintended initiation (1 incident)
Explosion and fire occurred at a shed on
property used for reloading ammunition.
Vehicle incident (4 incidents)
A mobile manufacturing unit was found to be
leaking waste product onto the ground
during a quarterly inspection.
Vehicle transporting explosives found to be
refueling at non-approved site.
Explosives product delivery hose detached
during pumping.
Hot brakes identified on prime mover during
a delivery of explosives.
Blasting
explosives
Blasting
explosives
Blasting
explosives
Damage to hand rail of vehicle
identified. No injuries.
Implemented full evacuation of mine
personnel to the front gate for all
blasting until corrective actions have
been identified from investigation.
No injuries. All personnel outside
exclusion zone.
Blasting
explosives
Blasting
explosives
Blasting
explosives
Nil exposures. Nil unplanned
evacuations.
Nil exposures. Nil unplanned
evacuations.
Nil exposures. Evacuation of
personnel occurred.
Blasting
explosives
Compliance checks of site to be
reviewed.
Security
sensitive
ammonium
nitrate
Police conducting investigation. No
Explosives missing.
Propellant
powder
Investigation ongoing. No fatalities.
No Injuries. Property damage.
Ammonium
nitrate
Investigation completed. Vehicle
found to be overloaded.
Ammonium
nitrate emulsion
Blasting
explosives
Ammonium
nitrate prill
Investigation ongoing.
Investigation completed. No
injuries.
Investigation ongoing. No fire
present, only heating visible.
Community
Illegal activity (1 incident)
A person was struck on the lower leg from
fireworks at an illegal display.
Fireworks
Explosives incidents and complaints
4th quarter (October, November and December) 2016
© State of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 2017
One person sustained injuries.
Investigation ongoing.
Page 5 of 6
Complaints
Description
Fireworks Complaints (36 incidents)
Illegal fireworks complaints x 19
Explosives
involved
Fireworks
Outcome/Possible causes
Complaints regarding noise and debris
from nearby fireworks display.
Fireworks
2 x Complaints regarding noise from
nearby private fireworks display.
Fireworks
2 x Complaints regarding non notification
of fireworks display, causing distress to
animals on property.
Complaint regarding non notification,
timing and frequency of nearby displays.
Complaints regarding non notification of
fireworks display, causing distress to
animals on nearby property.
Fireworks
Matters investigated. 11 x occupier
letters sent (when address provided).
Matter investigated. Complainant advised
that all display and notification
requirements were met.
Complainant alleged that animals were
spooked by the noise and requested that
display frequency be restricted at
address in future.
Matter investigated. Contractor notified.
Fireworks
Matter investigated.
Fireworks
Complaint regarding proximity and
duration of nearby display in residential
area.
Complaint regarding noise from nearby
display.
Fireworks
Complaint about safety and noise
concerns of future display.
Complaint regarding debris impacting a
vehicle from nearby display.
Complaint regarding non-notification of
future display.
2 x Complaints regarding a display being
conducted prior to notified time.
Complaint regarding upcoming display
and frequency of displays at address.
Complaint regarding non-notification of
display.
Two members of the public reported
being struck by fireworks debris from
nearby display.
Blasting complaints (2 incidents)
Complaint regarding noise and dust from
nearby construction blasting
Complaint regarding excessive noise
and vibration at residence from nearby
quarry.
Fireworks
Complainant unable to be contacted for
follow up. Contractor notified of complaint
and will ensure address is included in
future notifications.
Complainant unable to be contacted for
follow up. Contractor advised and has
logged complaint.
Contractor informed of complaint and will
ensure notifications are sent to
complainants address in future.
Display cancelled.
Fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks
Blasting
explosives
Blasting
explosives
Authorised by Chief Inspector of Explosives | Noel Erichsen
The information contained in this report is provided for information only.
It is not to be taken as a statement of law and must not be construed to
waive or modify any legal obligation.
See more safety alerts and bulletins at https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/online­
tools/alert-bulletin/alerts-bulletins/alerts-bulletins-search
Follow our updates and on Twitter and Facebook
© State of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 2017.
Complaint responded too and forwarded
to contractor
Complaint responded too and details
forwarded to contractor.
Complainants advised times are
approximate. Contractor notified.
Complainant informed display meets all
legislative requirements.
Contractor and complainant to work out
suitable notification process.
Investigation ongoing. Injuries reported
by both complainants.
Matter investigated.
Followed up with blasting contractor,
vibration levels within limits.
Version 1, 2nd February 2017,
Page 6 of 6