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Electrical Ex Regulation in NSW Mines

Electrical Ex Regulation in NSW Mines. UN ECE – Geneva, November 2007. John Francis Waudby Senior Inspector of Electrical Engineering Mine Safety Operations. Overview. Introduction – NSW Mines Electrical equipment in mines Regulation and the use of IEC Standards and Schemes.

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Electrical Ex Regulation in NSW Mines

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  1. Electrical Ex Regulation in NSW Mines UN ECE – Geneva, November 2007 John Francis Waudby Senior Inspector of Electrical Engineering Mine Safety Operations

  2. Overview Introduction – NSW Mines Electrical equipment in mines Regulation and the use of IEC Standards and Schemes

  3. Mining in NSW • Coal • Metalliferous • Quarrying • Sand Dredging • Opals • Fatality rate = 1/year • LTIFR = 16 per million hours • Last fatality 09/01/2007

  4. Mining in NSW Total (continuous + intermittent) = 1700 O/C Coal mines = 37 U/G Coal mines = 34 Coal production = 150,000,000 tonnes / annum Coal U/G production = 50,000,000 tonnes / annum Coal employment = 13,000

  5. Role of the NSW Mining Regulator Mine site assessments Investigations Standards & legislation development Communication to all stakeholders Industry support infrastructure

  6. Role of the NSW Mining Regulator Strategic Plan Standards & Legislation Program Communication Program Industry Infrastructure Support Program Special Projects Mine Safety Technology Centre

  7. Electrical Engineering Safety Prevention of gas and/or dust explosions Prevention of electric shock and burns Prevention of fires Prevention of unintended operation of equipment Provision of electrical safeguards

  8. Coal Mining – Electrical Engineering Safety Performance Last fatal accident 23 years ago Last electrocution 24 years ago Last fatal explosion 28 years ago

  9. Coal Mining – Electrical Engineering Safety Performance Explosions / major gas ignitions 8/1/1979 - West Wallsend 24/7/1979 – Appin 28/6/1995 - Endeavour 12/12/1997 - Munmorah

  10. NSW Mining Regulator - Experience with Electrical Equipment

  11. Approval of Electrical Equipment Explosion protected equipment Electrically powered mobile machines for use U/G Electrically powered mobile machines for use in O/C’s Portable apparatus for use underground Electrical protection relays for use underground

  12. Approval of Electrical Equipment Electrical protection relays for use in open cuts Electric cables used in hazardous zones Caplamps Gas detectors Electric shotfiring equipment (U/G & O/C)

  13. Approval of Electrical Equipment Based on a test report from a recognised test lab Reviewed by a competent engineer Signed by the Chief Inspector of Coal Mines Approval documents and number issued (no time limit) Database kept

  14. Approval of Electrical Equipment Some approvals were issued with non - compliance to standards Approval was initially free Conditions of manufacture / use were specified Approval related to use & “pit worthiness”

  15. Approval of Electrical Equipment It was as a result of serious accidents One element in prescriptive technical regulation It was based on published standards Supported by competent mine electrical engineers Supported by an approved workshops scheme

  16. Approval of Electrical Equipment Approval / competency schemes were credible 1988 – Risk assessment introduced to the coal industry

  17. Evolution of approvals 1991 ALL approvals were subject to review Hazardous zone cables were deemed to be approved Approval scheme became stressed. Other organisations appointed as “approvers”

  18. Evolution of approvals Role of the regulator: quality auditor database manager ad-hoc technical review By 1998 the approval scheme had deteriorated

  19. Evolution of approvals Equipment approved that was not Ex Approval processes were not good enough A new strategic direction was required

  20. From Approval to Certification Queensland had accepted CoC’s as early as 1994 NSW looked to follow Qld Active participation in Ex management schemes By 1998 risk assessment was well established In 1999 regulations changed along with approval

  21. From Approval to Certification Other equipment was required to comply with specified standards Portable apparatus had to be used within a management scheme

  22. From Approval to Certification 2002 - confident in the ANZ Ex scheme and the ANZ Ex CB’s AUS Ex and ANZ Ex CoC’s deemed suitable (with conditions) The IEC Ex scheme commenced – acceptance extended to Australian issued IEC Ex CoC’s

  23. From Approval to Certification Extensive review of the IEC Ex scheme conducted Canvassed industry via a discussion paper for full IEC Ex acceptance Legislation changed in December 2006 approval became “registration” Ex equipment was not included Ex equipment had to meet specified criteria

  24. From Approval to Certification Continuing to participate in Ex scheme MC’s Continuing to review IEC Ex CoC’s and ATR’s Planned random audits of IEC Ex ATR’s and CoC’ s from ALL types of IEC bodies Supported by a specific minesite program.

  25. Overview – Approval to Certification Approval and competency schemes evolved Legislation embraced contemporary OH&S Mngt National & International certification schemes matured Industry culture evolved All of this allowed the DPI to embrace certification Redirect resources to mine site activities.

  26. Summary – Regulation & Ex equipment Coal mine explosions are high risk events. Ex is a critical risk control Additional scrutiny is needed. The scrutiny must be credible Ex equipment must be Ex throughout its life. When new, it is as good as it gets Ex supported by the correct regulatory requirements

  27. Ex equipment - Additional scrutiny Be applied at the proper points of the equipment life cycle. Support all activities throughout the life cycle. Support the hierarchy of risk controls Provide for a level of risk less than or equal to what we do now Recognise the harsh mining environment Be competent Be credible

  28. Ex equipment - Credible scrutiny Set standard Consistent and repeatable Competent people Proper procedures Fit for purpose equipment & facilities Managed work environment Ethical work environment

  29. Principles for managing Ex equipment Ex equipment to be certified Suppliers of equipment to provide sufficient life-cycle information Requires mines to have Ex repairs done at licensed facilities Requires a competent mine electrical engineer Requires an Electrical Engineering Management Plan Requires mines to establish electrical competency requirements

  30. IEC Ex – Support for the regulator IEC Standards and Ex Schemes provide Standards of design Competent designers Third party design verification Confidence in the manufacture Ex equipment arrives at the mine in an Ex condition.

  31. IEC Ex – Support for the regulator Equipment is installed, commissioned, maintained & used properly Provision of information Selection, installation, commission, inspect and maintenance standards Competency for life-cycle management (proposed)

  32. IEC Ex – Support for the regulator Ex management dictates overhaul and repair Equipment overhauled and repaired back to its certified state Provision of information Repair and overhaul standards Independent assessment of competencies Independent assessment of workshops Facilities, tools, equipment and measurement Work processes, competencies and management systems

  33. Summary - IEC Ex supporting the regulator The IEC Ex standards and IEC Ex schemes provide for: provision of information life cycle management appropriate independent assessment at appropriate points All of the above is required by contemporary OH&S legislation

  34. A regulator using IEC Ex Currently the DPI: has accepted equipment certified under the IEC Ex scheme. is monitoring the implementation of the IEC Ex services scheme IEC Ex CoC’s have been accepted via a gazette notice The regulator still retains prohibition powers

  35. OBSERVATIONS IEC Ex certification of equipment - Very confident that it is Ex Regulators can use this as a minimum expectation The extent of national regulation is dependent on “safety culture” Countries with no Ex certification can use the IEC Ex scheme with confidence Countries with developed national schemes can easily transition to IEC Ex Countries who rely on IEC Ex must participate

  36. CONCLUSIONS The IEC Ex standards and schemes can aid: Life cycle management of Ex equipment The regulator’s aims for electrical engineering safety A mine operator’s fulfilment of OH&S obligations An equipment suppliers fulfilment of OH&S obligations Credibility of the schemes is a critical component We are committed to a highly credible IEC Ex scheme

  37. Other information & Contact details Other Information Technical and Safety Regulation of the Energy Sector Discussion paper at www.ena.asn.au Contact details Website: www.minerals.nsw.gov.au/safety Email: john.waudby@dpi.nsw.gov.au

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