MATLA COAL OPERATE, MAINTAIN, CLEAN AND REPAIR A CONVEYOR INSTALLATION

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MAIN INDEX

1. NEW AMENDED CONVEYOR BELT REGULATIONS, REGARDING CLEANING

2. DESIGNATED SECTIONS

3. MATLA APPROACH

4. CHALLENGES FACING MATLA, REGARDING AMENDED REGULATIONS

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Amendment of regulation 8.9of the Mine Health and Safety Regulations

8.9. Conveyor Belt Definitions For purposes of regulation 8.9, unless the context otherwise indicates –

“conveyor belt installation” means a mechanical system used for the transportation of minerals, material, or persons on a belt.

“designated” means the drive section, take up tension section, snub pulley sections, transfer point sections and tail pulley sections.

“power supply” means any energy source feeding the drive motor of a conveyor belt installation (1) In compliance with regulation 8.8(1) the employer must ensure that - (a) the designated sections of a conveyor belt installation are to be guarded, as per regulation 8.8(4) and not cleaned

when any of its parts are in motion; provided that washing with pressurized water from a safe distance outside the guarded area may be carried out, subject to regulation 8.9(1)(i);

(b) the power supply and all sources of stored energy of a stationary conveyor belt installation are isolated, made safe and locked-out during either repairs, maintenance or cleaning of spillage in the designated sections; provided that the alignment and training of a conveyor belt installation may be carried out whilst the belt is in motion subject to it being carried out in accordance with a procedure prepared and implemented for this purpose;

(g) the take up or belt tensioning device will not move when repairs, routine cleaning, cleaning of spillage, maintenance at the belt tensioning device or belt splicing is carried out;]

(i) only persons authorized to do so by the employer operate, maintain, clean and repair a conveyor belt installation; and provided that any routine cleaning outside the designated sections of the conveyor section of the belt is carried out in accordance with a procedure prepared and implemented for this purpose;

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1. NEW AMENDED CONVEYOR BELT REGULATIONS, REGARDING CLEANING

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2. DESIGNATED SECTIONS (Designated sections indicated as red zones)

Head Drive Take - up

90° Transfer Point

Tail End

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3. MATLA COAL APPROACH (Based on the associated risk and the fact that that the majority of accidents

occur during cleaning or other maintenance activities)

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No: Step Method Responsibility

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Initial classification regarding the sections of the conveyor belt installation, as a designated section

(Red zone) or a non-designated section (Green zone).

Use regulation terms and Risk assessment methodology

Section Engineer, Responsible belt crew and SHEC

Department

2 Compilation of procedures Compilation of operational

procedures considering associated risks

Section Engineer, Responsible belt crew and SHEC

Department

3 Training Compile training and provide

training regarding the operational procedures

SHEC Department and Training Department

4 Competency evaluation Conduct evaluation of

competency (include theoretical test and practical test – PTO)

Training Department

5 Authorization Authorize successful candidates, issue licence Engineering Manager

6 Continuous classification of conveyor sections, based on associated risk(s). Continuous exposure sheet Supervisor and members of

the belt crew

Amendment of regulation 8.9of the Mine Health and Safety Regulations

8.9. Conveyor Belt Definitions For purposes of regulation 8.9, unless the context otherwise indicates –

“conveyor belt installation” means a mechanical system used for the transportation of minerals, material, or persons on a belt.

Designated means the drive section, take up tension section, snub pulley sections, transfer point sections and tail pulley sections.

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1. NEW AMENDED CONVEYOR BELT REGULATIONS, REGARDING CLEANING

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4.1 Cleaning underneath conveyor belts which is lower that 3.5 m (non-designated sections), discrepancy in the requirements regarding to the COP Mandatory guideline 4.2 Insufficient clearance for clip joints (between nip guard and belt) 4.3 The employer must take reasonable measures to ensure that the functionality of the devices

contemplated in regulation 8.9(1)(c) and (f) and of any other safety devices relating to the conveyor belt installation are tested-

(a) once a week not exceeding ten days, where such devices are in the designated sections;

(b) every three months where such devices are outside of the designated sections; and (c) immediately after any belt extension or shortening thereof has taken place.

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4. CHALLENGES FACING MATLA, REGARDING THE AMENDED REGULATIONS

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4.1 CONVEYOR BELT HANGING FROM THE ROOF LOWER THAN 3.5 FROM THE GROUND

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Mine required to guard the total length of the return belt

4.1 CONVEYOR BELT LOWER THAN 3.5 FROM THE FLOOR 10

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Mine required to guard the total length of the return belt

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4.2 INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FOR CLIP JOINTS (BETWEEN NIP GUARD AND BELT)

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Insufficient GAP - 8mm

4.3 REASONABLE MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT THE FUNCTIONALITY OF SAFETY DEVICES RELATING TO THE CONVEYOR BELT INSTALLATION ARE

TESTED

The challenge is to conduct tests once a week not exceeding ten days, on safety devices in the designated sections. Physically testing every single pull key on all the conveyor belts in the designated sections will have a significant adverse effect on the life span of the conveyor drive unit, installation and production.

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