The NSW Government’s mine safety arm is urging all underground mine operators to urgently review their strata management plans after a roof fall occurred at an underground coal mine in the state.
No injuries were reported however a Safety Alert was issued by the Mine Safety Operations Branch of NSW Trades and Investment on Monday.
The incident disrupted services and lead to an evacuation. All persons were accounted for.
The Alert stated that deficiencies were found in the management of strata monitoring at the mine site and that up to 30% of strata monitoring devices were not operable at the time of the incident. A neighbouring mine reported up to 40% of similar devices not operable.
The Coal Mine Inspector sent to investigate the incident found that employees responsible for using these devices were unable to determine whether the strata monitoring devices were in good operating condition.
The Alert recommended that operators of coal mines should review their risk and controls for strata management with particular emphasis on:
- the type of strata monitoring device (SMD) used
- the suitability of the SMD for the required areas of operation
- the process of recording information relevant to the SMD
- training of underground people in the installation, use and interpretation of SMDs
- training of underground people in determining if a SMD is faulty
- TARPs relating to strata management and SMDs
- repair and replacement management of SMDs.
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