Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996)General RegulationsGuideline for the Compilation of a Mandatroy Code of PracticePrevention of Flammable Gas Explosions in Mines other than Coal MinesPart C: Format and Content of the Mandatory COP8. Aspects to be addressed in the Mandatory COP |
The COP must set out how the significant risks, simplified and assessed in terms of the risk assessment process referred to in paragraph 7.1 will be addressed . Unless there is no significant risk associated with that aspect at the mine. The COP must cover at least the aspect set out below:
| 8.1 | Identification of flammable gas sources, occurrences and composition |
In order to ensure that the identification of flammable gas sources, occurrences and compositions are addressed, the COP must cover at least the following:
| 8.1.1 | A description of the sources of flammable gas, the way that flammable gas is encountered or likely to be encountered and how it inters the workings of the mine, for example: |
| 8.1.1.1 | Ingress through faults , dykes, fissures or other geological features. |
| 8.1.1.2 | High pressure pockets. |
| 8.1.1.3 | From worked out and/or abandoned areas , through seals. |
| 8.1.1.4 | Cover drilling. |
| 8.1.1.5 | Pilot hole drilling. |
| 8.1.1.6 | Normal shot hole drilling. |
| 8.1.1.7 | Blast and seismic induced fracture planes. |
| 8.1.1.8 | Occurrence of flammable gas with water. |
| 8.1.1.9 | Change in barometric pressure. |
| 8.1.1.10 | Change in season. |
| 8.1.1.11 | Long term emitters. |
8.1.2 A procedure for identifying and recording flammable gas intersections.
| 8.1.3 | A procedure for identifying and recording flammable gas intersections, procedure to deal with flammable gas intersections, and allocation of responsibilities to competent persons. |
| 8.1.4 | A procedure for sampling the gas at every flammable gas intersection where the flammable gas concentration in the general atmosphere exceeds 1.4% by volume , to determine the composition and concentration in order to identify the upper and lower explosive limits of the gas source. |
| 8.2 | Control of gas emissions |
| 8.2.1 | The COP must set out precautionary measures to be taken to control the release of flammable gas, inclusive of when sealing of an area or bleeding of gas from an area should be done. |
| 8.3 | Detection of flammable gas |
(See Annexure 2 - Guidance Note for Lamproom Practice, for information purposes)
The COP must set out a procedure to detect flammable gas, which must deal with the following aspects:
| 8.3.1 | Selection of appropriate flammable gas detection instruments for the typical operational conditions . |
| 8.3.2 | Availability for allocations , at any time, of a sufficient number of the flammable gas detection instruments referred to in (8.3.1 above) . |
| 8.3.3 | Issuing of flammable gas detection instruments to employees on the mine. |
| 8.3.4 | Testing for and dealing with the presence of flammable gas. |
| 8.3.5 | Maintenance and calibration of flammable gas instruments . |
| 8.3.6 | Training and presence of competent persons for performing flammable gas detection measurements, inclusive of the correct selection, use and care of flammable gas detection instruments. |
| 8.4 | Reporting of flammable gas |
In order to ensure that flammable gas intersections are reported, the COP must cover at least the following :
| 8.4.1 | A procedure for the reporting of flammable gas as required per Mine Health and Safety Act Regulation 23.4 (g) . |
| 8.4.2 | A procedure for the reporting, internal and/or external , of all other flammable gas incidents in the general atmosphere not covered by paragraph 8.4.1. |
| 8.5 | Clearance of flammable gas |
In order to ensure that the clearance of flammable gas accumulations , including roof layers, is done safely, the COP must set out a procedure for:
| 8.5.1 | The dilution, removal and dispersion of flammable gas, including roof layering. |
| 8.5.2 | Isolating electricity without affecting the ventilation system where applicable. |
| 8.5.3 | Withdrawing of people from the return. |
| 8.6 | Development ends and accessible tunnels not in through ventilation |
(See Annexure 3 - Guidance Note for Multi-blasting Operations, for information purposes)
In order to ensure that the build up of flammable gas in development ends and accessible tunnels not in through ventilation is prevented the COP must cover at least the following :
| 8.6.1 | Minimum air quantity . |
| 8.6.2 | Minimum air velocity . |
| 8.6.3 | Ventilation column sizes for the different applications . |
| 8.6.4 | Fan types, sizes and positions. |
| 8.6.5 | Ventilation methods. |
| 8.6.6 | Restrictions on ventilation column size and distance. |
| 8.6.7 | Maximum distance of a ventilation column discharge from the face in tunnels, raises, winzes and boxholes. |
| 8.6.8 | Minimum and maximum overlap distances of ventilation systems. |
| 8.6.9 | Methods of ensuring that the force volume is always directed to the working face. |
| 8.6.10 | Blasting frequency. |
| 8.6.11 | Blasting method and re-entry period. |
| 8.6.12 | How development ends in series should be ventilated and restrictions on the maximum number of ends that may be ventilated in series. |
| 8.6.13 | Methods to ensure uncontrolled recirculation does not take place. |
| 8.6.14 | Methods of breaking away a new end from an existing end or tunnel. |
| 8.6.15 | The installation of electrical equipment beyond the last point of through ventilation and applicable safety precautions . |
| 8.7 | Mining methods |
| 8.7.1 | Conventional mining (stopes) |
In order to ensure that the build up of flammable gas in stopes is prevented , the COP must cover at least the following :
| 8.7.1.1 | The minimum air quantity per stope . |
| 8.7.1.2 | Minimum air velocity in a stope. |
| 8.7.1.3 | The installation of electrical equipment and safety precautions applicable thereto . |
| 8.7.1.4 | Special detailed precautions for back stopes and inverted U-tubes. |
| 8.7.2 | Mechanised mining |
| 8.7.2.1 | The minimum air quantity per stope. |
| 8.7.2.2 | Minimum air velocity in a stope. |
| 8.7.2.3 | The installation of electrical equipment and safety precautions applicable thereto . |
| 8.8 | Stopped areas |
| 8.8.1 | Temporarily stopped working place |
In order to ensure that the build-up of flammable gas in temporarily stopped areas is prevented , the COP must set out procedures to cover at least the following :
| 8.8.1.1 | Circumstances under which areas can be temporarily stopped . |
| 8.8.1.2 | Methods of preventing access to temporarily stopped areas, such as barricading. |
| 8.8.1.3 | For removing the ventilation system . |
| 8.8.1.4 | To monitor any build-up of flammable gas. |
| 8.8.2 | Permanently stopped working place |
In order to ensure that the build up of flammable gas is prevented, or flammable gas is safely accumulated in permanently stopped areas, the COP must set out procedures to cover at least the following :
| 8.8.2.1 | Prevention of flammable gas build-up: |
| (i) | Circumstances under which areas can be permanently stopped. |
| (ii) | Method of removing the ventilation system . |
| (iii) | Monitoring of any build-up of flammable gas. |
| 8.8.2.2 | Safe accumulation of flammable gas: |
| (i) | Measures to ensure that containment walls are provided with means to monitor any build-up of flammable gas behind such walls. |
| (ii) | Measures to ensure that explosive proof seals are used and demarcated where the atmosphere of sealed areas stabilises within the explosive range. |
| (iii) | Measures for the monitoring of the atmosphere within the sealed area. |
| 8.8.3 | Approaching and holing into stopped areas |
In order to ensure that the approaching or holing into temporarily or permanent stopped areas is done safely , the COP must cover at least the following :
| 8.8.3.1 | Procedures to ensure warning notes are timeously issued by the surveyor when any workings approach any stopped area. |
| 8.8.3.2 | Stopping distances of workings approaching stopped areas. |
| 8.8.3.3 | Maximum excavation sizes of workings approaching any stopped area. |
| 8.8.3.4 | Procedure to probe for water and gas accumulations in any stopped area. |
| 8.8.3.5 | Procedure of re-establishing ventilation in any stopped area before and after holing. |
| 8.9 | Fixed installations |
| 8.9.1 | In order to ensure that flammable gas accumulations at fixed installations are prevented , the COP must set out procedures to cover at least the following : |
| 8.9.2 | A layout that indicates the positions of the ventilation appliances in the areas mentioned hereunder must be drawn up. |
| 8.9.3 | Main surface and underground booster fans. |
| 8.9.4 | Fixed installations |
For the purpose of this guideline fixed installations refers to e.g.:
| 8.9.4.1 | Pump stations; |
| 8.9.4.2 | Dams, sumps, silos and settlers; |
| 8.9.4.3 | Shaft bottoms; |
| 8.9.4.4 | Belts; |
| 8.9.4.5 | Workshops ; |
| 8.9.4.6 | Battery bays; |
| 8.9.4.7 | Repair bays; |
| 8.9.4.8 | Cutting and welding bays; |
| 8.9.4.9 | Sub-stations; |
| 8.9.4.10 | Mini sub-stations; |
| 8.9.4.11 | Refrigeration chambers; and |
| 8.9.4.12 | Hoist rooms. |
| 8.10 | Stoppage, change or reversal in ventilation |
In order to ensure that employees are not exposed to risks associated with flammable gas, the COP must set out procedures to be followed for the immediate withdrawal from , and subsequent return of employees to, the working area in the event of a stoppage, noticeable change or reversal in the ventilation in that working area.
| 8.11 | Identification of hazardous locations |
The COP should describe a process for identification of hazardous locations and the measures to be taken to prevent flammable gas explosions in those locations.
| 8.12 | Preventing ignition of flammable gas |
In order to ensure the controlling of potential ignition sources the COP must cover at least the following :
| 8.12.1 | Contraband |
| 8.12.1.1 | Orientation of employees regarding the risks of taking contraband into underground mines. |
| 8.12.1.2 | Methods of warning employees of the dangers of taking contraband into demarcated areas. |
| 8.12.1.3 | The random searching of employees about to proceed into or while in demarcated areas. |
| 8.12.1.4 | Use of light Metals SANS 10012 as amended . |
| 8.12.2 | Open flame and other ignition sources |
| 8.12.2.1 | Safe procedures for welding , flame cutting, flame heating, and similar work such as friction cutting, grinding, vulcanizing, soldering , photography , video , and any other electronic devices. |
| 8.12.2.2 | The training of competent persons to perform such work . |
| 8.12.2.3 | Issuing and control of flint lighters and short exploders. |
| 8.12.2.4 | The construction, ventilation, physical characteristics and orderly maintenance of the workshop and cutting bays so that work can be performed in a safe and healthy manner. |
| 8.12.2.5 | Precautions to be taken when working outside approved workshops or cutting bays. |
| 8.12.2.6 | The ventilation , inertisation, fire prevention and the gas testing procedure before, during and on completion of such work . |
| 8.12.2.7 | The precautions and devices utilized to quench flashback and to prevent back feeding of gas. |
| 8.12.2.8 | The proper transport , storage and use of gas cylinders. |
| 8.12.2.9 | The issuing, safekeeping and examination of both equipment and devices used. |
| 8.12.3 | Electrical equipment |
| 8.12.3.1 | Where explosion protected apparatus are used. |
| 8.12.3.2 | Where the use of electrical equipment requires special precautions . |
| 8.12.3.3 | For interlocking of fans ventilating in series and other electrical equipment used within relevant areas. |
| 8.12.3.4 | For the positioning of fans in series. |
| 8.12.3.5 | For the positioning of switchgear in development ends. |
| 8.12.3.6 | For flammable gas tests before starting or stopping electrical equipment. |
| 8.12.3.7 | For identification of electrical equipment that poses a significant risk and measures to deal with that risk. |
| 8.12.3.8 | No automatic re-starting of auxiliary (development end) fans and other electrical equipment. |
| 8.12.4 | Frictional ignitions |
| 8.12.4.1 | Identify potential sources of frictional ignition and detail the relevant prevention and control measures . |
| 8.12.5. | Static electricity |
Identify the potential sources of static electricity and detail relevant prevention and control measures.
| 8.13 | Confined space |
In order to ensure the prevention of an explosion in a confined space the COP must cover at least the following :
| 8.13.1 | The measures to prevent the accumulation and ignition of flammable gas and/or explosive mixtures in confined areas. |