With International Health and Safety Day on 28 April 2010, NOSA and NOSHCON wish everyone a safe and proactive day.
Ask questions, be proactive and see to it that you play a part in securing an optimal healthy and safe future for your loved ones, colleagues and our environment.
Friday, April 23, 2010
The silent ... invisible killer
Have you ever stopped to think of the difficult and dangerous circumstances of a blind person, unable to see any life threatening elements? Just having to depend on his natural instincts to guide him through everyday obstacles.
And here we are, healthy and thinking how wonderful it is to be able to hear, see, feel , smell and even taste the elements around us. The very same elements that I could either make full use of or that could possibly harm me, my dear ones and not even to mention our environment. The terrible truth of such a situation is that it without being able to make use of our ever so trusted senses; devastating consequences will be the final outcome.
Items like this could also be called lethal killers within our day to day sphere are identified as hazardous gasses and chemicals that we use in our daily life’s and even allow our children to use and interact with. So many new developments are being made in the industries and manufacturing processes, that it is impossible to list all of the gasses, vapours, hazardous chemicals and liquids that could cause or has the potential to cause serious or even fatal injuries.
It is also difficult to always classify many a substance as either flammable or explosive, as under certain conditions some may not burn at all, but the same substances under altered conditions, these materials, may burn slowly, rapidly or even cause an explosion with devastating effects. Other gasses liquids, vapours and chemicals may not cause harm immediately but with time, could still be life threatening.
With this then in mind, it is safe to say that all gasses chemicals vapours fumes can then be classified as FLAMABLE, NON-FLAMABLE ANESTHETICAL IRRITANT OR EVEN ADDICTIONAL.
All these items discussed are not always neatly kept in secure containers with proper control system in place. At times they could be found as household objects and detergents and even in the nature as part of self degeneration of components forming methane gas.
Recently local mine workers tried to unblock and clean out a sewage drain system where they used chlorine flakes to clean and deter the smell; with this not working they added some swimming-pool acid. This deadly mixture with the added drain sewage - now formed chlorine gas which over powered the workers and resulted that everyone present had to be hospitalized.
REMEMBER if you can’t SEE it, SMELL or TASTE it – it does not necessarily mean that it isn’t there.
Author: Jan van Burick (janb@nosa.co.za / +27 83 259 1151).
And here we are, healthy and thinking how wonderful it is to be able to hear, see, feel , smell and even taste the elements around us. The very same elements that I could either make full use of or that could possibly harm me, my dear ones and not even to mention our environment. The terrible truth of such a situation is that it without being able to make use of our ever so trusted senses; devastating consequences will be the final outcome.
Items like this could also be called lethal killers within our day to day sphere are identified as hazardous gasses and chemicals that we use in our daily life’s and even allow our children to use and interact with. So many new developments are being made in the industries and manufacturing processes, that it is impossible to list all of the gasses, vapours, hazardous chemicals and liquids that could cause or has the potential to cause serious or even fatal injuries.
It is also difficult to always classify many a substance as either flammable or explosive, as under certain conditions some may not burn at all, but the same substances under altered conditions, these materials, may burn slowly, rapidly or even cause an explosion with devastating effects. Other gasses liquids, vapours and chemicals may not cause harm immediately but with time, could still be life threatening.
With this then in mind, it is safe to say that all gasses chemicals vapours fumes can then be classified as FLAMABLE, NON-FLAMABLE ANESTHETICAL IRRITANT OR EVEN ADDICTIONAL.
All these items discussed are not always neatly kept in secure containers with proper control system in place. At times they could be found as household objects and detergents and even in the nature as part of self degeneration of components forming methane gas.
Recently local mine workers tried to unblock and clean out a sewage drain system where they used chlorine flakes to clean and deter the smell; with this not working they added some swimming-pool acid. This deadly mixture with the added drain sewage - now formed chlorine gas which over powered the workers and resulted that everyone present had to be hospitalized.
REMEMBER if you can’t SEE it, SMELL or TASTE it – it does not necessarily mean that it isn’t there.
Author: Jan van Burick (janb@nosa.co.za / +27 83 259 1151).
Friday, April 16, 2010
From the Events Coordinators' pen!!
Dear Followers
I am not the type that will take hours to write an article or come up with creative wording... no, I leave this type of thing to my dear colleague, Chantell!
I do however feel a kind of guilt creeping up, when I see all the stunning articles our NOSHCON speakers publish on our Blog and I have a "hands up" attitude - a new fun phrase I learned from my brother this week.
So now I am typing away and after reading 2 paragraphs, you must think, this girl has no talent in writing at all, she has not said a thing... Well, here is the THING. NOSHCON is the THING, IT is a passion, not only for NOSA, but for ME... I am obsessed in a good way. I love it and eventhough is tortures me during my Birthday month, July (remember) as it is soooooooooo close to the event and things are piling up and I am snowed under, stressed out and Twinsavers are my new best friend, I can't get enough.
The best thing about this addiction... it is not only me!! Clients and SHEQ managers from all over South Africa can't wait for this annual event and I am the lucky girl organsing it!!
So, here is what you can do, to improve the event and awareness - refer all your colleagues and friends to our Blog and get them posting some comments and articles... it will be fun to hear everyone's opinion, remark and concerns in SHE and get everyone obsessed! Even better, don't just leave it at getting them to write on the Blog, but get them to attend our prestigious event, NOSHCON 2010.
I wish for numerous posts when I open our precious Blog again... I feel a bit like Julie Powell in Julia and Julie, the addictiveness to go on your blog everyday and see who said what - haha!
Now I have 2 obsessions, NOSHCON and Blogging!
I told you, it is not going to be creative - that I leave for my events :-)!
Have a safe weekend!!
NOSHCON Coordinator
Beatrix
I am not the type that will take hours to write an article or come up with creative wording... no, I leave this type of thing to my dear colleague, Chantell!
I do however feel a kind of guilt creeping up, when I see all the stunning articles our NOSHCON speakers publish on our Blog and I have a "hands up" attitude - a new fun phrase I learned from my brother this week.
So now I am typing away and after reading 2 paragraphs, you must think, this girl has no talent in writing at all, she has not said a thing... Well, here is the THING. NOSHCON is the THING, IT is a passion, not only for NOSA, but for ME... I am obsessed in a good way. I love it and eventhough is tortures me during my Birthday month, July (remember) as it is soooooooooo close to the event and things are piling up and I am snowed under, stressed out and Twinsavers are my new best friend, I can't get enough.
The best thing about this addiction... it is not only me!! Clients and SHEQ managers from all over South Africa can't wait for this annual event and I am the lucky girl organsing it!!
So, here is what you can do, to improve the event and awareness - refer all your colleagues and friends to our Blog and get them posting some comments and articles... it will be fun to hear everyone's opinion, remark and concerns in SHE and get everyone obsessed! Even better, don't just leave it at getting them to write on the Blog, but get them to attend our prestigious event, NOSHCON 2010.
I wish for numerous posts when I open our precious Blog again... I feel a bit like Julie Powell in Julia and Julie, the addictiveness to go on your blog everyday and see who said what - haha!
Now I have 2 obsessions, NOSHCON and Blogging!
I told you, it is not going to be creative - that I leave for my events :-)!
Have a safe weekend!!
NOSHCON Coordinator
Beatrix
Monday, April 12, 2010
NOSHCON - The golden word in health safety and environmental matters
Where do we stand when it comes to this most important concept , pertaining to the health and safety of our biggest asset ,the human factor within our company, immaterial how big or small we are. How do we look at our employees ,contractors ,visitors and even those people not known to us, but seen as the community and our neighbours.
Have we ever stopped to think of the legal complication that we might have to consider , if things do go wrong .Vicarious liability is such an unknown word ,so small ,but yet with such big consequences, to one and all of us, if we are seen as part of management.
The Occupational Health and Safety ACT 85 of 1993 a governing document that gives us the POWER to ensure that we understand hazards and risks within our workplace, and to ensure that we are able to give unto our employers and employees the workplace that is without these hazards or risks, a document with a positive or negative outcome depending in how we look at it or in how we are using it. The Occupational Health and Safety ACT, as a document, is it used as book stopper or just another book to give some image to our bookshelf to those visiting our office.
Looking at my bookshelf i realised that the copy of my act really looks like an overused “waslappie” ,something used every day and even sometimes used more than once, as much as 70 times 7 as the scripture says ,should this not be our Alpha and Omega in our work's environment and industry. It is with this document as minimum requirement that we stand as leaders in our field.
How easy is it for us to relate to this document and all its pros and cons ,are we really conversant with the law in its full context .Is this document a real benefit to me in my work and works environment or has it become a millstone around my neck.
If this is the case perhaps we should revisit the word NOSHCON because it is there that you would find the hub of all the relevant health, safety, environmental and general occupational risk management matters.
So act now - pick up the phone and speak up, be Proactive and not Reactive and understand the concept of the “A B C “ of the ACT “AVOID BEING CAUGHT”. See you at NOSHCON!
Author: Jan van Burick (janb@nosa.co.za / +27 83 259 1151).
Jan van Burick is of NOSHCON 2010's valued break away session speakers. For more information on NOSHCON's speakers or the conference program, please visit http://www.noshcon.co.za/
Have we ever stopped to think of the legal complication that we might have to consider , if things do go wrong .Vicarious liability is such an unknown word ,so small ,but yet with such big consequences, to one and all of us, if we are seen as part of management.
The Occupational Health and Safety ACT 85 of 1993 a governing document that gives us the POWER to ensure that we understand hazards and risks within our workplace, and to ensure that we are able to give unto our employers and employees the workplace that is without these hazards or risks, a document with a positive or negative outcome depending in how we look at it or in how we are using it. The Occupational Health and Safety ACT, as a document, is it used as book stopper or just another book to give some image to our bookshelf to those visiting our office.
Looking at my bookshelf i realised that the copy of my act really looks like an overused “waslappie” ,something used every day and even sometimes used more than once, as much as 70 times 7 as the scripture says ,should this not be our Alpha and Omega in our work's environment and industry. It is with this document as minimum requirement that we stand as leaders in our field.
How easy is it for us to relate to this document and all its pros and cons ,are we really conversant with the law in its full context .Is this document a real benefit to me in my work and works environment or has it become a millstone around my neck.
If this is the case perhaps we should revisit the word NOSHCON because it is there that you would find the hub of all the relevant health, safety, environmental and general occupational risk management matters.
So act now - pick up the phone and speak up, be Proactive and not Reactive and understand the concept of the “A B C “ of the ACT “AVOID BEING CAUGHT”. See you at NOSHCON!
Author: Jan van Burick (janb@nosa.co.za / +27 83 259 1151).
Jan van Burick is of NOSHCON 2010's valued break away session speakers. For more information on NOSHCON's speakers or the conference program, please visit http://www.noshcon.co.za/
Friday, April 9, 2010
WA: Mesh invention promises better mine safety
(Extract from ABC Online, Aus)
The University of Western Australia (UWA) says its latest mining technology invention could improve safety conditions for miners around the world.
A high energy absorbing mesh is made of recycled scrap metal and is designed to act as a barrier to protect miners from underground rock blasts.
UWA will now collaborate with a company specialising in mining technology to market the product.
Inventor and university professor Yves Potvin says the technology could protect miners working in tough conditions in the Goldfields and Pilbara.
"In these conditions the normal ground support usually fails and that's how you get people getting injured or fatalities due to rock bursts," he said.
"So this new system, because it's stronger than normal mesh, would have a better chance to sustain these natural explosions."
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
The University of Western Australia (UWA) says its latest mining technology invention could improve safety conditions for miners around the world.
A high energy absorbing mesh is made of recycled scrap metal and is designed to act as a barrier to protect miners from underground rock blasts.
UWA will now collaborate with a company specialising in mining technology to market the product.
Inventor and university professor Yves Potvin says the technology could protect miners working in tough conditions in the Goldfields and Pilbara.
"In these conditions the normal ground support usually fails and that's how you get people getting injured or fatalities due to rock bursts," he said.
"So this new system, because it's stronger than normal mesh, would have a better chance to sustain these natural explosions."
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
USA: Experts say mining safety has improved since Crandall disaster
Extract from fox13now, Utah, USA
SALT LAKE CITY - Standards have certainly changed since the 2007 Crandall Canyon mining disaster, says Mining Engineering Dept. Chairman, Mike Nelson. "Last year in 2009 had the fewest number of fatalities ever in the mining industry," Nelson says. "They're definitely not where we want them to be -- the accident rate for the mining industry. We look at the lost time per 100 workers per year and its around four. We'd like to see it much less, close to one or zero." Ed Havas, who represents the families of miners killed in Utah, says that on a personal level, for the family of miners trapped "it's emotionally, just such a gut wrenching, trying time. Mostly the waiting and the not knowing for those that are waiting word about their loved ones."
Havas thinks lawsuits are likely in the case of the recent West Virginia mine collapse.
"Lawsuits are highly likely probability for a case like this because for there to be a disaster of this magnitude something went wrong somewhere and if that turns out to have been the failing of the company or some entity that should have taken better care then they need to be held responsible," said Havas.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
SALT LAKE CITY - Standards have certainly changed since the 2007 Crandall Canyon mining disaster, says Mining Engineering Dept. Chairman, Mike Nelson. "Last year in 2009 had the fewest number of fatalities ever in the mining industry," Nelson says. "They're definitely not where we want them to be -- the accident rate for the mining industry. We look at the lost time per 100 workers per year and its around four. We'd like to see it much less, close to one or zero." Ed Havas, who represents the families of miners killed in Utah, says that on a personal level, for the family of miners trapped "it's emotionally, just such a gut wrenching, trying time. Mostly the waiting and the not knowing for those that are waiting word about their loved ones."
Havas thinks lawsuits are likely in the case of the recent West Virginia mine collapse.
"Lawsuits are highly likely probability for a case like this because for there to be a disaster of this magnitude something went wrong somewhere and if that turns out to have been the failing of the company or some entity that should have taken better care then they need to be held responsible," said Havas.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
This week in mining accident history
2 April 1898
Pudley-Hill Coal Pit
Old Park, Shropshire, UK
Underground Coal Mine
Fall down shaft
1 dead
Source: www.shropshirecmc.org.uk/papers/index.html
Pudley-Hill Coal Pit
Old Park, Shropshire, UK
Underground Coal Mine
Fall down shaft
1 dead
Source: www.shropshirecmc.org.uk/papers/index.html
WA: Fortescue seeks death case dismissal
Fortescue Metals is applying to have charges relating to it workers’ deaths and injuries during Cyclone George dismissed as the miner was charged under the wrong laws.
It is applying to have all the charges dismissed as both the miner and its subsidiary The Pilbara Infrastructure’s (TPI) mines were exempt from the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Instead, Fortescue claims its safety management procedures come under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act of 1994, rather than the previous act under which it was charged.
It would aim to have the case dismissed as the charges failed to identify the measures Fortescue should have taken to effectively avoid risks, according to the West Australian.
Fortescue and its subsidiary TPI have pleaded not guilty to the charges of failing to provide adequate safety measures in the event of a cyclone.
Two people were killed after Cyclone George hit Fortescue’s camp 100 km south of Port Hedland, on 9 March 2007.
Fortescue is the first of several companies to go to court over charges arising from the cyclone.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
It is applying to have all the charges dismissed as both the miner and its subsidiary The Pilbara Infrastructure’s (TPI) mines were exempt from the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Instead, Fortescue claims its safety management procedures come under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act of 1994, rather than the previous act under which it was charged.
It would aim to have the case dismissed as the charges failed to identify the measures Fortescue should have taken to effectively avoid risks, according to the West Australian.
Fortescue and its subsidiary TPI have pleaded not guilty to the charges of failing to provide adequate safety measures in the event of a cyclone.
Two people were killed after Cyclone George hit Fortescue’s camp 100 km south of Port Hedland, on 9 March 2007.
Fortescue is the first of several companies to go to court over charges arising from the cyclone.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
USA: Two Mine Accidents Reported in West Virginia
(Extract from WSAZ.com, USA)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Two miners are in the hospital after two separate accidents in West Virginia.
The latest accident happened around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday at the New Town Energy Eagle Mine in Comfort. That's in Boone County.
Jama Jarrett with the Mine Safety Office tells WSAZ.com a mining operator got pinned between a machine and mine wall. The miner was taken to CAMC General with serious injuries.
The other mining related accident happened at the Pinnacle Mine in Wyoming County around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Jarrett tells WSAZ.com a contract worker was working on a mine shaft when he fell through the floor. The man suffered injuries to his head and upper body.
Clifford Natural Resource owns that mine in Wyoming County.
No names have been released at this time.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Two miners are in the hospital after two separate accidents in West Virginia.
The latest accident happened around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday at the New Town Energy Eagle Mine in Comfort. That's in Boone County.
Jama Jarrett with the Mine Safety Office tells WSAZ.com a mining operator got pinned between a machine and mine wall. The miner was taken to CAMC General with serious injuries.
The other mining related accident happened at the Pinnacle Mine in Wyoming County around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Jarrett tells WSAZ.com a contract worker was working on a mine shaft when he fell through the floor. The man suffered injuries to his head and upper body.
Clifford Natural Resource owns that mine in Wyoming County.
No names have been released at this time.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
Philippines: 3 killed in Benguet mine cave-in
(Extract from abs-cbnNEWS.com)
MANILA, Philippines - Three miners were killed in a mining accident in Luneta village, Itogon, Benguet Tuesday night, officials said.
John Latungan, vice-president of Luneta Miners Association, identified two of the fatalities as Rudy Petra Corta Gilles, 40; and Edgar Sucalo, 36. The name of the third miner has been withheld until his immediate family has been notified.
He said at least 20 miners were working in the underground goldmine in groups starting at 7 p.m, Tuesday. He said only 6 miners were at the bottom of the 80-foot mine when it caved in before midnight.
Three of the miners were rescued while the rest died.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
MANILA, Philippines - Three miners were killed in a mining accident in Luneta village, Itogon, Benguet Tuesday night, officials said.
John Latungan, vice-president of Luneta Miners Association, identified two of the fatalities as Rudy Petra Corta Gilles, 40; and Edgar Sucalo, 36. The name of the third miner has been withheld until his immediate family has been notified.
He said at least 20 miners were working in the underground goldmine in groups starting at 7 p.m, Tuesday. He said only 6 miners were at the bottom of the 80-foot mine when it caved in before midnight.
Three of the miners were rescued while the rest died.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
Thursday, April 8, 2010
WA: Mount Keith wins mine safety gong
(Extract from ABC Online, Aus)
BHP Billiton's Nickel West division has been recognised at the Chamber of Minerals and Energy's annual Safety and Innovation Awards.
Nickel West's Mount Keith operation won the chamber's Engineering Safety Award for a
mobile communications structure which removesthe need for working at heights.
The Industry Road Safety Alliance won the People category for its work in improving road safety in and around mine sites.The chamber's David Todd says the awards highlight the progress.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
BHP Billiton's Nickel West division has been recognised at the Chamber of Minerals and Energy's annual Safety and Innovation Awards.
Nickel West's Mount Keith operation won the chamber's Engineering Safety Award for a
mobile communications structure which removesthe need for working at heights.
The Industry Road Safety Alliance won the People category for its work in improving road safety in and around mine sites.The chamber's David Todd says the awards highlight the progress.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
USA: Manchin offers W.Va. help with Chinese mine rescue
(Extract from Phillyburbs.com)
Gov. Joe Manchin is offering to help rescuers trying to free more than 150 miners trapped in a flooded coal mine in northern China.
The governor's office says Chief of Staff Jim Spears extended the offer to China's U.S. embassy Monday.
The Chinese miners have been trapped sinceSunday at the Wangjialing Coal Mine, a new operation due to start production this year.
Spears says state mine rescue experts could provide expertise via telephone and Internet to rescuers in China.West Virginia is the second largest coal producing state in the country.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
Gov. Joe Manchin is offering to help rescuers trying to free more than 150 miners trapped in a flooded coal mine in northern China.
The governor's office says Chief of Staff Jim Spears extended the offer to China's U.S. embassy Monday.
The Chinese miners have been trapped sinceSunday at the Wangjialing Coal Mine, a new operation due to start production this year.
Spears says state mine rescue experts could provide expertise via telephone and Internet to rescuers in China.West Virginia is the second largest coal producing state in the country.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
Three trapped after fluorite mine accident in East China county
(Extract from People's Daily Online, China)
Three people were trapped underground after a fluorite mine's laneway collapsed in east China'sJiangxi Province Thursday, local authorities said Friday.
The accident occurred at 5 p.m. Thursday at Geban fluorite mine in Shangrao County in Shangrao City of Jiangxi, said an official of the county's government. As of 8 p.m. Friday, rescuing work was still underway. Provincial authorities had arrived and started an investigation.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
Three people were trapped underground after a fluorite mine's laneway collapsed in east China'sJiangxi Province Thursday, local authorities said Friday.
The accident occurred at 5 p.m. Thursday at Geban fluorite mine in Shangrao County in Shangrao City of Jiangxi, said an official of the county's government. As of 8 p.m. Friday, rescuing work was still underway. Provincial authorities had arrived and started an investigation.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
Central China mine flooding leaves three dead, eight more missing
(Extract from People's Daily Online, China)
Authorities in central China's Henan Province confirmed Saturday three miners had been killed and eight others trapped underground a flooded mine.
Rescuers retrieved three bodies Friday afternoon; more than four days after a flooding occurred at 12:40 a.m. Monday in three iron pits run by Shunda Mining Co. Ltd. in Biyang County, trapping 11 miners underground, thecounty government said.
Rescue efforts were rather slow as large water pumps could not be installed in the mine because of complicated geographical conditions, said the county government. Location of the trapped miners remains unknown.
Wang Xinke, deputy county government chief in charge of work safety, has been removed from his post shortly after the flooding.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
Authorities in central China's Henan Province confirmed Saturday three miners had been killed and eight others trapped underground a flooded mine.
Rescuers retrieved three bodies Friday afternoon; more than four days after a flooding occurred at 12:40 a.m. Monday in three iron pits run by Shunda Mining Co. Ltd. in Biyang County, trapping 11 miners underground, thecounty government said.
Rescue efforts were rather slow as large water pumps could not be installed in the mine because of complicated geographical conditions, said the county government. Location of the trapped miners remains unknown.
Wang Xinke, deputy county government chief in charge of work safety, has been removed from his post shortly after the flooding.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
India: Nine killed in mine
(Extract from Times of India)
JAIPUR: Nine labourers including four women were killed and 13 others injured when part of a soap stone mine collapsed in Parsoli area of Pratapgarh district on Friday. The incident occurred when rocks came sliding upon the workers, twice within an interval of 15 minutes.
A part of the mine collapsed around noon, burying three labourers. The others rushed to their rescue and a second rock came sliding down claiming five more lives. Fourteen injured labourers were rushed to Udaipur's M B Hospital. One of them succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital. The deceased, residents of nearby villages, were in the age group of 25 and 45 years.
Senior police and administration officers, including IG (Udaipur Range), rushed to the spot and immediately ordered rescue operations. Rescue work was started with help of residents of nearby villages. According to police, the mine called Jai Polymers Pvt Ltd is located about four kilometers from Parsoli on Sabla Road.
B K Mittal, SP (Pratapgarh) said that about 22 labourers were working in a 5-km-long tunnel when a part of it collapsed. "Most of them got buried. Eight dead bodies have been pulled out so far. Thirteen other injured have been rushed to MB Hospital in Udaipur," said the officer. "It took the administration about seven hours to pull out all the bodies. We are searching for more bodies that may be buried under the debris," he
added.
Mittal said that an FIR was being lodged against the mine owner and action will be taken against him in case of negligence. The officer said that they were investigating whether safety measures were being taken at the mine. Sources said chief minister Ashok Gehlot has also asked the police to launch an inquiry into the incident. A similar incident at a nearby mine, called Golachha, had claimed two lives a fortnight ago, claimed sources. Despite that, the administration did not ensure that other miners observed the stipulated safety measures.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
JAIPUR: Nine labourers including four women were killed and 13 others injured when part of a soap stone mine collapsed in Parsoli area of Pratapgarh district on Friday. The incident occurred when rocks came sliding upon the workers, twice within an interval of 15 minutes.
A part of the mine collapsed around noon, burying three labourers. The others rushed to their rescue and a second rock came sliding down claiming five more lives. Fourteen injured labourers were rushed to Udaipur's M B Hospital. One of them succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital. The deceased, residents of nearby villages, were in the age group of 25 and 45 years.
Senior police and administration officers, including IG (Udaipur Range), rushed to the spot and immediately ordered rescue operations. Rescue work was started with help of residents of nearby villages. According to police, the mine called Jai Polymers Pvt Ltd is located about four kilometers from Parsoli on Sabla Road.
B K Mittal, SP (Pratapgarh) said that about 22 labourers were working in a 5-km-long tunnel when a part of it collapsed. "Most of them got buried. Eight dead bodies have been pulled out so far. Thirteen other injured have been rushed to MB Hospital in Udaipur," said the officer. "It took the administration about seven hours to pull out all the bodies. We are searching for more bodies that may be buried under the debris," he
added.
Mittal said that an FIR was being lodged against the mine owner and action will be taken against him in case of negligence. The officer said that they were investigating whether safety measures were being taken at the mine. Sources said chief minister Ashok Gehlot has also asked the police to launch an inquiry into the incident. A similar incident at a nearby mine, called Golachha, had claimed two lives a fortnight ago, claimed sources. Despite that, the administration did not ensure that other miners observed the stipulated safety measures.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
USA: Mine industry slow on safety gear upgrades, MSHA
(Extract from the Charleston Gazette, USA)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. America's top coal mine regulator says he will redouble pressure on the industry to meet a 4-year-old congressional mandate to equip the nation's underground mines with high-tech communications and tracking gear.
Mine Safety and Health Administration figures show 34 mines nationwide have functioning systems that meet its requirements. The agency says 491 mines are supposed to have the equipment.
The mandate was imposed after the January 2006 deaths of 12 West Virginia miners who became trapped underground following amethane explosion.
Mining companies were given until June 2009 to submit their plans to MSHA on how they intended to have two-way communications systems and wireless equipment to talk with and locate trapped miners. MSHA initially estimated complying would cost $278 million.
MSHA data shows the agency has approved plans for 412 mines and 79 are pending. Now, a disappointed MSHA Director Joe Main says it's time to start pressuring mine operators and manufacturers to speed up installation. Main compared the approach to pressure tactics used to speed up the delivery and storage of extra oxygen supplies required by the same 2006 legislation.
"We'll leverage out whatever we can," Main said, noting that MSHA took six mine operators to court two weeks ago. MSHA's also cited 64 operations for not submitting plans on time mostly mines located in Kentucky and Tennessee.
National Mining Association lobbyist Bruce Watzman says no one's happy with the slow progress, but he bristles at suggestions of footdragging by the industry.
"The fact of the matter is that this has proceeded more slowly for a whole host of reasons," Watzman said. "If there is fault, the fault is that I don't think anyone got very clear guidance from the previous leadership of MSHA."
Meanwhile, the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training disputes the inference from MSHA's numbers that the state's mines are behind.
The state also mandated wireless communications and tracking equipment following the Sago explosion and other fatal mining accidents in early 2006. The state requirement was passed before its federal counterpart.
"There is no place in the world that has more communications and tracking," said Randy Harris, an engineering consultant overseeing West Virginia installations. The industry has spent between $125,000 to $150,000 to wire each of the state's 197 underground mines. "We've had several instances already where
there's been problems and the communications and tracking system has worked and gotten everybody out," Harris said, noting new gear helped with evacuations during 2009 flooding in southern West Virginia.
MSHA's figures, however, don't reflect West Virginia's progress.
Instead, the figures show 20 mines in southern West Virginia and just three in the MSHA district covering northern West Virginia have systems up and running that meet federal requirements. Harris says MSHA requires more equipment such as readers for tracking tags on miners that are closer together. MSHA also insists that mines have the gear within 200 feet of the working face, or where the coal is being mined. West Virginia does not require gear at the face. Data collected by MSHA's 11 districts nationwide show 46 mines have tracking and communications equipment installed and working, though just 34 meet all its requirements. Another 92 mines have partial systems running and 128 are working on installations.
"I think progress is being made everywhere, but the majority of West Virginia, they had kind of a head start," said Kevin Stricklin, MSHA administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health. Overall, Stricklin describes efforts to upgrade safety equipment as piecemeal.
"We have mines, as an example, in western Kentucky that have up to 90 percent of their systems installed."
Main shrugs off industry complaints about MSHA waiting until December 2008 to release plans for how companies were to comply with the mandate.
What's being installed underground are systems built around handheld radios that work through networks designed to survive explosions. Each miner wears a locator tag so he can be found quickly in the event of an accident.
At West Virginia's Sago Mine, communications were severed by the explosion and rescue teams were left to guess where miners were located.
"There's no question we're better off than we were the day before Sago," Main said.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. America's top coal mine regulator says he will redouble pressure on the industry to meet a 4-year-old congressional mandate to equip the nation's underground mines with high-tech communications and tracking gear.
Mine Safety and Health Administration figures show 34 mines nationwide have functioning systems that meet its requirements. The agency says 491 mines are supposed to have the equipment.
The mandate was imposed after the January 2006 deaths of 12 West Virginia miners who became trapped underground following amethane explosion.
Mining companies were given until June 2009 to submit their plans to MSHA on how they intended to have two-way communications systems and wireless equipment to talk with and locate trapped miners. MSHA initially estimated complying would cost $278 million.
MSHA data shows the agency has approved plans for 412 mines and 79 are pending. Now, a disappointed MSHA Director Joe Main says it's time to start pressuring mine operators and manufacturers to speed up installation. Main compared the approach to pressure tactics used to speed up the delivery and storage of extra oxygen supplies required by the same 2006 legislation.
"We'll leverage out whatever we can," Main said, noting that MSHA took six mine operators to court two weeks ago. MSHA's also cited 64 operations for not submitting plans on time mostly mines located in Kentucky and Tennessee.
National Mining Association lobbyist Bruce Watzman says no one's happy with the slow progress, but he bristles at suggestions of footdragging by the industry.
"The fact of the matter is that this has proceeded more slowly for a whole host of reasons," Watzman said. "If there is fault, the fault is that I don't think anyone got very clear guidance from the previous leadership of MSHA."
Meanwhile, the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training disputes the inference from MSHA's numbers that the state's mines are behind.
The state also mandated wireless communications and tracking equipment following the Sago explosion and other fatal mining accidents in early 2006. The state requirement was passed before its federal counterpart.
"There is no place in the world that has more communications and tracking," said Randy Harris, an engineering consultant overseeing West Virginia installations. The industry has spent between $125,000 to $150,000 to wire each of the state's 197 underground mines. "We've had several instances already where
there's been problems and the communications and tracking system has worked and gotten everybody out," Harris said, noting new gear helped with evacuations during 2009 flooding in southern West Virginia.
MSHA's figures, however, don't reflect West Virginia's progress.
Instead, the figures show 20 mines in southern West Virginia and just three in the MSHA district covering northern West Virginia have systems up and running that meet federal requirements. Harris says MSHA requires more equipment such as readers for tracking tags on miners that are closer together. MSHA also insists that mines have the gear within 200 feet of the working face, or where the coal is being mined. West Virginia does not require gear at the face. Data collected by MSHA's 11 districts nationwide show 46 mines have tracking and communications equipment installed and working, though just 34 meet all its requirements. Another 92 mines have partial systems running and 128 are working on installations.
"I think progress is being made everywhere, but the majority of West Virginia, they had kind of a head start," said Kevin Stricklin, MSHA administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health. Overall, Stricklin describes efforts to upgrade safety equipment as piecemeal.
"We have mines, as an example, in western Kentucky that have up to 90 percent of their systems installed."
Main shrugs off industry complaints about MSHA waiting until December 2008 to release plans for how companies were to comply with the mandate.
What's being installed underground are systems built around handheld radios that work through networks designed to survive explosions. Each miner wears a locator tag so he can be found quickly in the event of an accident.
At West Virginia's Sago Mine, communications were severed by the explosion and rescue teams were left to guess where miners were located.
"There's no question we're better off than we were the day before Sago," Main said.
Editor: Mark Freeman (mark.freeman@industry.nsw.gov.au)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
NOSHCON 2010 Keynote Speaker
April 1, 2010
NOSHCON 2010 Keynote Speaker
We are delighted to inform you that the very dynamic Jim Harris, one of the world's most renowned speakers on environmental leadership, strategic change and energy efficiency will be NOSHCON's Keynote Speaker.
Jim has one of the most impressive resumes ever. His list of accomplishments are just too many to even name. Apart from the fact that he has more than 20 years' experience in consulting and professional speaking - he's also an international best-selling author.
He is one of the first to be personally trained by Al Gore to present "An Inconvenient Truth". This ambitious speaker is also a former leader of Canada's Green Party.
For more on our Keynote Speaker, do visit his website http://www.jimharris.com/.
NOSHCON 2010 Keynote Speaker
We are delighted to inform you that the very dynamic Jim Harris, one of the world's most renowned speakers on environmental leadership, strategic change and energy efficiency will be NOSHCON's Keynote Speaker.
Jim has one of the most impressive resumes ever. His list of accomplishments are just too many to even name. Apart from the fact that he has more than 20 years' experience in consulting and professional speaking - he's also an international best-selling author.
He is one of the first to be personally trained by Al Gore to present "An Inconvenient Truth". This ambitious speaker is also a former leader of Canada's Green Party.
For more on our Keynote Speaker, do visit his website http://www.jimharris.com/.
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