SafeWork South Australia has reminded mining operators across the state about the importance of developing, maintaining and implementing safe systems of work.
The reminder comes after a recorded incident at a mine in the state which involved the unplanned initiation of explosives on 29 October 2020. The incident endangered the health and safety of underground workers but no injuries were reported.
Early reports indicate that an electronic initiation was involved at two development headings at the mine site and the headings were initiated in conjunction with an explosion at a decline heading.
The investigation into the unplanned detonation is ongoing and the regulator has not shared any details, other than the following safety advice:
“We remind all mine operators to develop, implement and maintain safe systems of work to control the risk of unplanned initiation of explosives.
“We advise mine operators and persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure:
- comprehensive risk assessments are undertaken for the use of explosives, including independent firing
- firing systems are designed, installed and maintained by a competent person
- independent firing systems are segregated from main firing system
- workers are trained and assessed as competent in the type of initiation system at the mine.”