Resources Health and Safety Queensland (RSHQ) has joined NT WorkSafe in warning workplaces to prepare for a season of storms.
The likelihood of severe tropical cyclones is higher than average during the Australian cyclone season, which begins in November and continues through to April. But cyclones are not the only weather hazard in the Australian tropics.
Tropical lows can also cause damaging winds with flying debris, widespread rain and dangerous flooding.
Blasting and the use of explosives are more hazardous during storm season as wet conditions can cause a misfire. It is essential the management of explosives are taken into account when mines develop emergency management plans.
Earlier this week, NT Work Safe issued a warning to Northern Territory workplaces to prepare for potentially severe cyclones in the coming storm season. Now, Queensland’s independent mine safety regulator RSHQ has delivered a similar warning to Queensland mines.
RSHQ chief inspector of mineral mines and quarries Hermann Fasching said having strategies in place before a storm hits can minimise risk of harm and help sites to recover quickly.
“Safety is at the forefront of everyone’s minds after what has been a devastating year for industry with four fatalities already,” Fasching said.
“Now is the time to prioritise the health and safety of our workers against risks posed by Queensland’s storm season, if you haven’t done so already.”
Lightning strikes also pose a major risk to mines, with strikes known to cause tyre explosions.
“Mine operators are ultimately responsible for storm management plans, but we are here to help and so we’ve shared tips and learnings with industry in a recent Safety Alert,” Fasching said.
The RSHQ has released recommendations to mine sites that find themselves in the midst of an electrical storm:
- Operations should cease when lightning is detected within an appropriately determined distance from the worksite.
- Vehicles should be driven to a designated safe lay-down area.
- Operators of vehicles should be transported to a safe shelter away from the equipment.
- Workers should not return to work until an ‘all clear’ has been given.
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