(For mandatory purposes)
The following is a series of technical solutions that might be considered for addition in the mine's action plans and/or as part of the COP. This includes but not limited to the following:
Explosives storage containers
| (a) | Explosive storage containers should be located away from main travelling ways to minimize the potential impact of explosion due to fire (Regulation 4.2). |
| (b) | A water hose and proper drainage should be installed to allow for hosing down of spilt product or combustible liquids (e.g. oil leaking from explosives vehicles). |
| (c) | Appropriate signs should be installed on all explosive storage containers indicating: |
| • | No smoking, naked lights or equipment within 8 meters of explosives; and |
| • | The emergency procedure in case of fire. |
| (d) | Formal housekeeping requirements should be implemented to ensure that no waste material is allowed to accumulate in the area where explosive storage containers are located. |
| (e) | Operating procedures should be developed for the safe storage and transport of explosives to reduce the risk of fire involving explosives. These procedures should include provisions for the following: |
| • | Safe refuelling of vehicles carrying explosives (consideration should be given to removing explosives from the vehicle before refuelling); |
| • | Only purpose-designed and constructed explosives-carrying equipment entering magazines; |
| • | Access to explosive storage facilities including loading and unloading of vehicles carrying explosives, at the explosive storage facilities or elsewhere; |
| • | Vehicles carrying explosives being parked in designated areas that prevent uncontrolled access while left unattended; |
| • | Non-bulk explosives (e.g. detonators, primer plugs, boosters etc.) to be transported in; |
| • | Separate enclosed compartments that meet the requirements of the Explosive Act (Act 15 of 1973) (Part 1 Explosives - Storage and Transport); and |
| • | All procedures relating to the storage and transport of explosives should meet the SAPS' Standard. |
Prohibition requirements
Procedures should prohibit:
| (a) | Access to explosive storage facilities except by purposely designed vehicles and only for the purpose of loading and unloading: |
| • | The presence of ignition sources including mobile and satellite phones, smoking, cigarette lighters and matches on or around explosives carrying machines, or in or around explosive storage facilities, explosives carrying machines and service equipment; |
| • | Diesel engines running whilst loading or unloading in an explosive facilities; |
| • | The presence of flammable goods in operators' cabins of vehicles conveying explosives; |
| • | Explosives carrying vehicles into maintenance areas prior to their having been washed down; |
| • | Hot work on or around vehicles carrying explosives and detonator until these have been removed, washed down; |
| • | The transport or storage of diesel around or into an explosive storage facility; |
| • | The transport or storage of flammable gases around or in explosive storage facilities; |
| • | Vehicles parked at a safe distance from explosive or other combustible materials (e.g. empty cartons) when inside explosive storage facilities; and |
| • | Persons attempting to fight an explosives fire with portable extinguishers except to extinguish a small equipment or waste fire not involving explosives. |
Other requirements
| (a) | In addition to training requirements provided for Mobile Equipment Operators, personnel who transport explosives or handle explosives inside explosive storage facilities should also be trained and assessed for competency in at least the following: |
| • | Procedures for transport and handling of explosives; |
| • | Explosive fire prevention measures and response; |
| • | Refuelling of explosives carrying vehicles; |
| • | Access requirements for explosive storage facilities; and |
| • | Compliance with fuel unloading and refuelling procedures. |
| (b) | The following supervisory activities are recommended: |
| • | Checks for the presence of correct signage (e.g. "Flammable materials ", "No Smoking ", "Explosives" etc.); |
| • | Compliance with maintenance procedures; |
| • | Pre-handover inspection on machine cleanliness; |
| • | Checks for adequate fire protection (e.g. sufficient number and correct type of fire extinguishers); |
| • | Checks of emergency equipment such as refuge chambers and the status of escape ways; |
| • | Layout of the explosive storage facilities (segregation of the explosives, detonators and bulk explosives); |
| • | Safe parking of explosive-carrying equipment; |
| • | Cleaning of explosives carrying equipment prior to hand-over to maintenance; and |
| • | Specific emergency response procedures for explosive storage facilities or explosive-carrying equipment. |
