drayton management system standard blast fume management …/media/files/a... · the purpose of the...

Blast Fume Management Plan

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Anglo Coal (Drayton Management) Pty Ltd Policies and Procedures


Drayton Management System Standard


Author: Name Geoff Keith

Title Drill and Blast Engineer

Signature Date

Reviewer: Name Logan Francis / Darren Pisters

Title Technical Services Manager / Mine Manager

Signature Date

Signature Date

Authoriser: Name Clarence Robertson

Title General Manager

Signature Date

This document is controlled whilst it remains in the Drayton Intranet

Printed copies created from this document are deemed to be uncontrolled


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Revisions

Issue Issue Date Author Reviewer Authoriser

1 February 2013 G Keith L Francis / D Pisters

D C Robertson


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Distribution List

Distributed to:

General Manager‘s Office (current originals)

All Drayton Employees via Email or Toolbox Talks

Administration Central File (originals of previous versions)

Drayton Intranet

Shotfirers (as a hard-copy package for on-the-job information and review)


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Table of Contents

1 PURPOSE ............................................................................................................. 5

2 SCOPE .................................................................................................................. 5

3 DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................ 6

4 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................... 6

5 PROCESS SUMMARY .......................................................................................... 6

5.1 Pre Blast Engineering, Design, and Preparation ....................................... 6

5.2 Blast Pattern Design Sign Off ................................................................... 7

5.3 Bench Preparation .................................................................................... 7

5.4 Protection of Drilled Areas ........................................................................ 7

5.5 Blast Hole Loading Records ...................................................................... 7

5.6 Loading of Blast Holes .............................................................................. 8

5.7 Records Kept During Loading ................................................................... 9

5.8 Pre and Post Blast Inspections and Reports ............................................. 9

5.9 Environmental Blasting Check List .......................................................... 10

6 FUME EVENT PROCEDURE .............................................................................. 10


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Document Information

1 PURPOSE

The purpose of the Blast Fume Management Plan (BFMP) is to establish and maintain a set of rules and procedures which aim to manage the risks associated with the generation of NOx fumes from blasting and shotfiring operations at Drayton Mine. This plan is to be read in conjunction with the Drayton Explosive Management Plan. Open cut blasting using ammonium nitrate bulk products has potential to cause fume when the products do reach complete combustion, or where low order detonation occurs, some of the causes of this are;

explosives used below critical diameter;

explosives used beyond recommended sleep time;

blasting with much higher powder factors than necessary;

water occlusion during the loading process;

contamination of the explosives column during or after loading;

incorrect timing of the shot;

lack of confinement by the surrounding geology;

product blending and quality of mixing;

inadequate priming (frequency and type);

unsuitable rock strength for the explosive selected;

dead pressing of products due to density selection or depth of blast holes;

incorrect gassing or sensitizing of emulsions;

poor quality or condition of explosives,

Incorrect explosive loading practices

It can never be guaranteed that fume will not be generated. So if fume cannot be totally eliminated we must consider ways to reduce the potential for fume, and reduce the risk of post blast fume causing injury to people. Post blast fume clouds can contain a mixture of toxic gasses including Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitric Oxide (NO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), among other variants commonly referred to as NOx. The most dangerous and most visible of these is NO2, which is the primary focus of the fume management guidelines. NO2 is the primary gas contributing to the fume cloud‘s orange to dark brown colour and has a very distinctive sharp, biting odor. Information relating to the health implications of post blast fume is shown in Appendix A This BFMP has been drafted to comply with the New South Wales Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DoPI) ―Fume Management Protocol‖.

2 SCOPE

This BFMP describes the Drayton requirements when blasting and shotfiring to minimise and manage the risks inherent in the generation of blast fume. This plan will be reviewed in accordance with the review schedule for the Explosive Management Plan or more frequently if required. It is understood that there is currently an Anglo American Fume Management Standard being developed which in time this plan will need to be modified to conform too. This BFMP can be considered an interim plan and will stand until modifications are required to align the Drayton BFMP with the Anglo American Standard Fume Management Plan.


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3 DEFINITIONS

BEZ-Blast Exclusion Zone- That area determined to require the exclusion of all personnel during blasting operations. Dewatering - A process where water is pumped out of blast holes prior to charging with explosives Blast Hole Liners – A thin film of plastic or similar product placed in a blast hole to eliminate explosive product contamination by water ingress or through direct contact between explosives and the ground Gas Bag – An inflatable plastic bag placed in a blast hole to provide a barrier or to create a base that can be used to load products on, within the blast hole. A Fume Event- As prescribed by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, is fume generated by a blast with the severity of a 3 or greater, where that fume leaves the blast area the mining lease area, and where fume at the intensity of a 4 or 5 is generated during the shot. Appendix A describes the Fume Rating System as described in the Department of Planning and Infrastructure Protocols.

4 REFERENCES

Australian Standard AS 2187.0 Explosives - Glossary of Terms for Definitions of Terms in Relation to Explosives

Incident, Reporting, Notification and Initial Investigation Procedure (Drayton 2012)

Explosive Management Plan (Drayton 2012)

5 PROCESS SUMMARY

5.1 Pre Blast Engineering, Design, and Preparation

The Establishment of a Blast Fume Risk Matrix All areas designated for blasting will be reviewed by the Drill and Blast Engineering Department and the Geology Department to consider the likelihood of the generation of post blast fume. This Matrix will assess the potential for fume based on factors such as;

Heavily faulted, cracked geology with significant soft bands

Softer rock and overburden areas

Areas with clay layers, coal rider seams and other weak layers

Areas with high water tables,

High permeability areas,

Dynamic Water

Areas requiring special products such as inhibited products for hot or reactive ground

From this assessment Strategies for managing fume risk will be considered such as;

Dewatering techniques including the use of liners

Energy types where ground reactivity allows for lighter product

Powder factor requirements with a view to reduce high shock energy

Pattern sizes and loading rates to reduce sleep times

Use of lighter products, less shock energy, etc.

Define wet and dry loading options with product selection considerations

Correct priming and timing of shots to avoid desensitisation and low order detonation


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Other shot design considerations will include;

Avoidance of deep box cut designs with no free faces

Shot movement towards free faces where practical to promote movement and relief

Review historical information including the fume rating of previous shots in the area

Consideration to bench locations with regard to drainage and the potential to containing water and the influence that wet weather may have on the scheduling of the drilling and loading.

The Blast Fume Matrix will be completed for each blast and kept on file by the Drill and Blast Engineer

5.2 Blast Pattern Design Sign Off

All blast designs shall be signed off by key parties including;

Mine Engineering

Technical Services Manager

Mine Geologist

Production Supervisors

5.3 Bench Preparation

Before any drill patterns are designed, blast benches will be prepared in accordance with the site blast bench standards and a sign-off sheet will be provide to Engineering to enable survey pick up. A copy of this sheet is shown in Appendix B.

5.4 Protection of Drilled Areas

Once drilling has commenced in an area, that area will be protected against general traffic by signage or windrows and suitable water diversion will be provided to keep the drill area as dry as practical during wet weather conditions. It is the intention to maintain drilled patterns in a dry and uncontaminated state preceding explosive loading to reduce the opportunity for water to find its way into the blast holes. Note, using water for dust suppression while drilling is an requirement on Drayton Mine site and can assist in the control of water ingress into blast holes.

5.5 Blast Hole Loading Records

Prior to loading blast holes the Shotfirers will be provided a comprehensive load pack that includes;

A drilling plan showing all holes

Load sheets showing explosive loading requirements for wet and dry holes

A Sentry Plan showing the Blast Exclusion Zone

A tie Up Plan for the shot

A Fume assessment sheet

Communications sheet. The Shotfirer will dip all holes on the shot and record the following information;

Hole depth

Levels of water in the blast holes

Holes having damp sides and the depth at which dampness detected

Hole temperatures

Holes that have collapsed or closed off

Holes that have not been drilled


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During this process where wet holes are found the Shotfirer will endeavour to dewater the blast holes and take not of the recharge rate of the water to enable a water management strategy to be discussed. Where possible dewatering of blast holes prior to blasting will be the preferred option to assist in explosive efficiency, increased load rates with dry products and reduce fume potential by eliminating water contamination. (Appendix 5 in the Explosive Management Plan comprehensively outlines the blast hole dipping process and information to be recorded on the dipping sheets)

This information will be provided to the Drill and Blast Engineer and a plan of backfilling or redrilling will be developed. Loading of the pattern may need to be deferred if this work is extensive.

5.6 Loading of Blast Holes

All blast hole loading activities are described in the Explosive Management Plan. Further to these provisions the following guidelines should be considered if they can be carried out safely when loading to avoid fume generation.

Always try to dewater blast holes several days prior to loading explosives, giving the holes time to dry out.

Where water cannot be removed from the blast holes, use water resistant explosives and prime the charge at intervals no greater than 15m. ANFO is not to be used in damp or wet holes unless it can be protected from the water/ moisture, such as using blast hole liners.

If loading a wet hole and the hole depth permits, try to ensure the base primer is well free of the bottom of the hole where contamination from mud may encapsulate the primer and lead to misfires or low order detonation. Two metres is recommended.

Always try to place the primer or primers in a location where the bulk product will fully cover the primer.

When supervising the loading of wet holes with an in hole hose, ensure the discharge end of the hose stays in the rising explosive column so water is not captured in the product. In most cases the retraction rate of the hose if being controlled mechanically will be correct but small hose loading can be less accurate.

If base of hole contamination is suspected, particularly after dewatering, use a gas bag to separate the charge and primer from the base of the hole. If a gas bag is used in this way, ensure that water is not recharging in the base of the hole at such a rate that it may lift the bag and interfere with the charge. If a blast hole is dewatered and allowed time to dry completely a gas bag does not have to be deployed prior to loading.

Blast hoIe liners can be deployed in holes after dewatering if the recharge rate is slow enough to allow placement and loading of the liner. Where soft ground is found to be wet, this practise can facilitate the loading of lighter more appropriate products that by virtue of their detonation speed may eliminate fume.

Try to avoid long sleep times when loading patterns. If there is concern for the safety of the product due to ground conditions or pending wet weather, particularly during the stormy seasons, consider blocking out the loading so a tie and shoot can be affected. Some drill holes may be lost with this method but a better environmental and blasting result may be achieved. Always discuss this option with Supervisors and the Engineers.

If loading in an area where fume generation is common, explosive quality should be check regularly to assist in minimising the potential for low order detonation. Additional primers may also be an option if loading in very adverse conditions and in deeper blast holes. Product density checks should be requested more frequently in these conditions.

If loading a hole and the product is not rising as per expectation, cracks may be present and as product escapes into cracks fume may result when the shot is fired. Consult with the


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Supervisor where necessary to develop a strategy to manage the situation, it is important to take special not of the hole location for future reference, and take the exposure of that hole into account when setting sentries. Always allow for gas product to gas to the correct height before stemming. It is not a good practise to stem a gassed product if it is still gassing. This situation may suggest that an explosive truck is not correctly calibrated and all products delivered by that truck may be incorrectly mixed. Investigate the situation to ensure proper product mixing.

5.7 Records Kept During Loading

A record of the product loaded into each hole shall be kept and returned to the Drill and Blast Engineer in the Shotfirers shot report. The loading sheets will record;

The pattern name or number

The hole number

The hole depth

The kg‘s loaded in the hole

The type of product loaded in the hole

The stemming collar height

If different to normal procedures the number of primers used

Any unusual incidents when loading that hole, e.g. dropped primer /lost down line.

Only specified products will be used unless permission is given by the Drill and Blast Engineer or Superintendent

5.8 Pre and Post Blast Inspections and Reports

Shot firers “Pre Loading Inspection Sheet” As a part of the ongoing quality control of the drill and blast process at Drayton Mine, every shot will be inspected by the Shotfirer prior to loading and his findings are recorded on the Pre Loading Inspection Sheet. A copy of this sheet is shown in Appendix C Loading Sheets These are sheets listing the hole numbers and the details listed in the above list. These sheets are critical for explosive reconciliation and accounting. These sheets are archived with other blast details for future reference if required. Communication Sheets Used to convey important information between Shot crews if a shot should carry over to another roster or a different Shotfirer is required to take over the blast. These are simply normal sheets of paper with lines and a place for the shot name and date. Fume Assessment Sheet This sheet is in the form provided by the DoPI and provides the Shotfirer a pictorial representation of the Fume Rating System so an accurate record of the Fume generated from the shot can be documented. This sheet is completed along with the Shot report and returned to the Environmental Department where it is kept on record for a minimum of a year. A copy of this sheet is shown in Appendix D This sheet will also list the contact details for mine personnel who will be the contact for notification of a Fume event, and who can activate a response tin the case of a Fume event that may impact the public.


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5.9 Environmental Blasting Check List

For every shot on site the Drill and Blast Supervisor will complete an Environmental Blasting Check List. This sheet along with the Fume Assessment Sheet is provided to the Environmental Department for review and filing. Appendix D The Environmental Department will also when required notify Stakeholders prior to a blast when Fume is expected or following a blast when Fume is significant and may carry over Stakeholder property. Pre and Post Blast Check Sheets These sheets are also completed by the Supervisors as a quality control mechanism and list points more focused on the operational issues, however commentary on environmental outcomes are captured. These check sheets are returned to the Drill and Blast Engineer as a part of an Operating Management System auditing process. These documents can be used as a back-up but do not replace the Fume Assessment Sheet.

6 FUME EVENT PROCEDURE

Every Shot will be video recorded from such a position to enable tracking of Fume should it be generated from a Blast. The video will record the fume cloud‘s intensity and direction of travel and be kept on video record for examination on request for a minimum period of twelve months. Each Blast will be Fume rated and this will be documented on the pro-former provided in the blasting load pack. This sheet will be completed by the Shotfirer and returned to the Environmental Office for review and filing. In the event that Fume generated from the blast should reach a three (3) and drift off the site, notification will be required to be sent immediately to the DoPI at their Singleton Office. Any blast generating Fume that is rated a 4 or 5 as per the rating sheet will also be reported immediately to the DOPI at their Singleton Office. These procedures follow the Incident, Reporting , Notification and Initial Investigation Procedure. Under normal circumstances where blasting takes place on and between Monday and Friday, the Environmental Department should be contacted in the first instance, should that department not be contactable the Drill and Blast Engineering Office should be contacted and finally any Supervisor or Superintendent will have the contact details for the Department of Planning and Infrastructure Singleton Office. When a Fume event takes place on a Saturday, the Shotfirer will report to his Supervisor immediately the event details. The Supervisor or a senior mine official will contact the Department of Planning and Infrastructure via the emergency contact details shown below; [email protected] [email protected] A notification network is to be set up at the mine to accommodate these communications. An Emergency TARP (Trigger Action Response Plan) will be established to identify parties outside the mine area who may be affected by Fume from Blasting. This Plan will have detail instructions on how to identify potential affected parties given the blast site and the prevailing meteorological conditions at the time and how these parties can be contacted. All data and video evidence will be available on request for review or investigation by the relevant authorities at any time.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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The Environmental Department will coordinate communications between the Authorities, the general public and the relevant site departments for inquiries relating to Fume events.


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Appendix A Provided by the Queensland Government What are blast fumes? Blast fumes are the gases that may be generated during blasting. Some of these gases can affect health, including oxides of nitrogen [nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)]. NO2 is the more toxic of the two. What do blast fumes look like?

They are typically a reddish/orange cloud — NO2 is what gives the cloud this colour and the colour becomes deeper with higher concentrations of NO2. Blast fumes also have a pungent odour and taste. What do I do if am exposed to a blast fume? Immediately report exposure to your supervisor and follow the site medical plan. If you have been examined and released by a medical practitioner but later develop symptoms, you must seek urgent medical attention. Tolerable exposure There is a level of tolerable exposure that people can deal with. The short-term exposure limit (STEL) for NO2 is 5 parts-per-million (ppm). STEL exposures should not be longer than 15 minutes and should not be repeated more than four times a day with at least 60 minutes between successive exposures. Mine sites should work towards preventing fume generation, but where this is not possible, fume exposures must be kept below the STEL. If I can smell NO2 does it mean I have been over exposed? No. NO2 has a very strong acrid odour that can be smelled at much lower levels than the tolerable limits. At these low levels, the effects are extremely unlikely to be harmful to health, particularly if the reddish/brown gas is not visible. NO2 above 2.5 ppm is visible. Higher concentrations above 4 ppm may deaden the sense of smell. Symptoms from high exposure

• eye irritation and coughing


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• initial dizziness and/or headache (may subside) • shortness of breath • 5–8 hours later, cyanosis (blue lips, fingertips)

What can I do to prevent being exposed? Comply with blast-exclusion zones and fume management zones. Inform blast controller of fume clouds and their location and movement. Do not enter or remain in fume clouds. Move out of fume cloud path. Wear gas monitors if directed.

NOx can be measured using portable gas detectors. Ensure monitors are calibrated and set correctly before use. Further information Further information relating to blast-fume prevention, management and health effects can be found in the Queensland Guidance Note 20 ‗Management of oxides of nitrogen in open-cut blasting‘, available at www.deedi.qld.gov.au

http://www.deedi.qld.gov.au/


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Appendix B “Blast Bench Inspection and Sign Off Sheet”

Supervisors to Complete and Sign before Survey of bench is carried out.

Critical Points to Check when Inspecting Drill Pad Preparation

Pattern or Area being Inspected:__________________________________________


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Appendix C Pre Loading Inspection Sheet


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Appendix D

Environmental Blasting Checklist (Mandatory for ALL Blasts)

Day Mon / Tues / Wed / Thur / Fri / Sat / No blasting on Sun

Date / /

Time a.m. p.m.

Shot Reference

Restrictions: Maximum 2 shots per day; Blasting must occur between 9am and 5pm Pre Blast Checks Drill & Blast Coordinator

Are stemming levels correct? Yes / No

Are there any physical attributes that could lead to fly rock, overpressure or vibration issues?

Yes / No

Are you aware of a temperature inversion? Yes / No

What is the % cloud coverage? Height?

What is the wind direction?

What is the wind speed? (m/s)

What are the Weather Conditions?

Are there any other environmental attributes that could lead to environmental issues (eg fog, rain, wind) ?

Yes / No

Is there a risk of an environmental incident? If Yes, discuss with the Environmental Coordinator

Yes / No

Has the blast been discussed with the Environmental Coordinator

Yes / No

Post Blast Review Drill & Blast Coordinator

Are there any misfires? Yes / No

When was the blast fired?

Have any issues occurred? If so detail in comments below.

Yes / No

Were there any hole blowouts? Yes / No

After hours contacts: Peter Forbes SHE Manager 0427 752397 James Benson Environmental Coordinator 0407 921461 Brooke Lavis Environmental Officer 0409 895310 Darren Pisters Mine Manager 0417 618876

D&B Coordinator Name : Sign :


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Environmental Blasting Checklist (Mandatory for ALL Blasts)

Day Mon / Tues / Wed / Thur / Fri / Sat / No blasting on Sun

Date / /

Time a.m. p.m.

Shot Reference

Blast Generated NOx Gases

What was the fume rating? *

Did the fume leave the mine boundary? Yes / No

*Fume rated 4 or 5 must be notified to the Environmental Department ASAP after the shot.

Shotfirer Name : Sign :

A = Localised (ie NOx Gases localised across only a few blast holes) B = Medium (ie NOx Gases from up to 50% of blast holes in the shot) C = Extensive (ie Extensive generation of NOx Gases across the whole blast)


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Appendix E

Management Plan Signoff PROCEDURE TITLE: Blast Fume Management Plan PERSONS RESPONSIBLE (AS LISTED) NAME: Geoff Keith POSITION: Drill and Blast Engineer SIGNATURE FOR SIGN OFF: _______________________________ DATE: _______________________________ NAME: Andrew Lawn POSITION: Dragline / Drill and Blast Superintendent SIGNATURE FOR SIGN OFF: _______________________________ DATE: _______________________________ NAME: Darren Pisters POSITION: Mining Manager SIGNATURE FOR SIGN OFF: _______________________________ DATE: _______________________________ NAME: Ben Lewis POSITION: Drill and Blast Supervisor SIGNATURE FOR SIGN OFF: _______________________________ DATE: _______________________________ NAME: Dearne Patteson POSITION: Drill and Blast Supervisor SIGNATURE FOR SIGN OFF: _______________________________ DATE: _______________________________

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