mine operating procedure heat stress

Mine Operating Procedure Heat Stress

Document Number: Document Owner: Approval Date: VULCAN MINE VUL-MOP-143-Heat Stress Document Controller 28 / 8 / 2020

Vulcan Mine - Safety and Health Management System Mine Operating Procedure – Heat Stress

Version Approval Date Review Date Print Date of 10 02 28/08/2020 28/08/2023 1/9/2020 8:41 AM UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT WHEN PRINTED

Contents

1. PURPOSE...................................................................................................................................................... 3 2. SCOPE .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 3. DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................................................ 3 4. PROCEDURE ................................................................................................................................................. 3

4.1. Mandatory Requirements...................................................................................................................... 3 4.2. Working in Hot Environments ............................................................................................................... 4 4.3. Identification of Hot Working Conditions .............................................................................................. 4 4.4. Heat Disorders and Health Effects ......................................................................................................... 5 4.5. High-Risk Days ....................................................................................................................................... 6

5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ..................................................................................................................... 7 6. REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................ 7 7. REVIEW ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 8. AUTHORISATION ......................................................................................................................................... 8 9. AMENDMENTS ............................................................................................................................................ 9 10. DOCUMENT CONTROL: ATTENDANCE REVIEW ........................................................................................... 9 11. APPENDIX A: URINE COLOUR CHART ........................................................................................................ 10

Tables

Table 1 : Heat Disorders, Health Effects and Treatment ........................................................................................ 5



1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this procedure is to establish control measures to protect employees from the health risks associated with heat, that may lead to heat stress, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

This procedure has been developed to ensure compliance with the following section of the CMSHR:

• s143 ‘heat stress’.

2. SCOPE

This procedure is applicable to all persons at the Vulcan Mine including employees, contractors and visitors.

The controls within this procedure are mandatory.

3. DEFINITIONS

Authorised Person A person who has the required competencies and who has been appointed by the Site Senior Executive to carry out a designated scope of duties.

CMSHA Queensland Coal Mining Safety and Health Act (1999).

CMSHR Queensland Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation (2017).

CMW Coal Mine Worker.

Competent Person A person who has, through a combination of training, education and experience, acquired knowledge and skills enabling that person to perform correctly a specified task.

JHA Job Hazard Analysis.

MOP Mine Operating Procedure.

SHMS Safety and Health Management System.

Take 5 Personal Risk Assessment.

4. PROCEDURE

4.1. Mandatory Requirements

The core mandatory requirements and expectations of Vulcan Mine are that all workers (including internal employees, contractors and visitors) will follow the SHMS as it applies when working. Should a system gap be identified, a Supervisor must be notified immediately, and a risk assessment conducted before the work can continue.



Further mandatory requirements identified include the following:

• all workers will comply with CMSHA s. 39 Obligations of persons generally; • all workers shall be trained, competent and authorised to be on site and to carry out those tasks specific

to their role; • all workers must present themselves in a state fit for duty and unaffected by drugs, alcohol, fatigue and

other physical or psychological impairment; • all workers will conduct a personal risk assessment (i.e. Take 5) prior to undertaking tasks and in the

event of a change to the conditions, process or environment; • there are risk assessments (JHAs) in place under which tasks are being carried out. These risk

assessments may indicate controls that go above and beyond the legislative or SHMS requirements and must be followed;

• errant behaviours are prevented through compliance to the training scheme, and managed appropriately through supervision and site discipline procedures;

• at any stage should a worker feel unsafe or at risk when undertaking a task, they are to stop work, make the area safe (if necessary and possible) and immediately report this to their Supervisor; and

• if a worker sights another worker undertaking a task, which they feel is unsafe or at risk, that work may be stopped, and a Supervisor immediately notified.

4.2. Working in Hot Environments

CMWs who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress.

The human body needs to maintain a body temperature of approximately 37 degrees Celsius. If the body has to work too hard to keep cool, or starts overheating, a worker begins to suffer from heat-related illness.

Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, fainting, heat rashes and/or heat fatigue, as detailed in Table 1. Heat can potentially increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses and dizziness. Burns may also occur as a result of accidental contact with hot surfaces or steam.

The effects of heat may be encountered during:

• work in confined workplaces without adequate ventilation; • work where there is direct exposure to solar radiation; • work in hot and humid conditions; • work performed in the vicinity of hot sources, such as furnaces, heaters and ovens; • heavy physical work in moderately hot and humid conditions; • work situations where protective clothing must be worn; and • any situation where an employee has previously shown signs of heat related effects (e.g. dizziness,

fainting and heat cramps).

4.3. Identification of Hot Working Conditions

Hot work areas or hot working conditions shall be identified by Supervisors or by CMWs, prior to commencing and shall be listed with appropriate controls on the risk assessment.

Major heat disorders are not likely to occur where healthy fit workers are acclimatised, wearing light suitable clothing and have adequate water and salt intake, provided that heat exposure is appropriately managed.



4.4. Heat Disorders and Health Effects

Health effects, symptoms and treatment are described in Table 1 below.

Table 1 : Heat Disorders, Health Effects and Treatment

Health Effects Description / Signs and Symptoms Treatment

Normal None. • Ensure fluid and electrolytes intake is consistent with the workers daily fluid loss.

Heat Rashes Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, is likely to occur in hot, humid environments where sweat is not easily removed from the surface of the skin by evaporation, and the skin remains wet most of the time. The sweat ducts become plugged and a skin rash soon appears.

• Keep worker in a cool dry environment.

• Avoid using ointments and creams.

Heat Fatigue A factor which predisposes an individual to heat fatigue is lack of acclimatisation. Signs and symptoms of heat fatigue include impaired performance of skilled sensorimotor, mental, or vigilance jobs.

• Remove the worker to a cool area.

• Rest worker. • Increase fluid intake if

tolerable.

Heat Cramps Usually caused by performing hard physical labour in a hot environment, these cramps have been attributed to an electrolyte imbalance caused by sweating. Signs and symptoms include: • pain in muscles, often the ones which have

been working; • excessive sweating; • hot, moist skin; and • normal or slightly, high temperature.

• Cease activity. • Remove the worker to a cool

area. • Increase fluid intake. • Rest worker. • Report to the medical centre if

symptoms do not improve.

Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion includes several clinical disorders being presented which may resemble the early symptoms of heat stroke. The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are: • headache; • nausea; • vertigo; • weakness; • thirst; • giddiness; and • temperature 38°C or higher.

• Remove the worker to a cool area and laying them down.

• Remove outer clothing, wetting the skin with cool water or wet cloths.

• Increase fluid intake if tolerable.

• Immediately seek medical advice.

Heat Collapse ("Fainting")

This reaction is similar to heat exhaustion. The onset of heat collapse is rapid and unpredictable.

• Remove the worker to a cool area.

• Lay them down. • Increase fluid intake if

tolerable.



Health Effects Description / Signs and Symptoms Treatment To prevent heat collapse, the worker should gradually become acclimatised to the hot environment.

• Seek medical attention.

Heat Stroke Heat stroke is the most serious of health problems associated with working in hot environments. It occurs when the body's temperature regulatory system fails and sweating becomes inadequate. The body's only effective means of removing excess heat is compromised with little warning to the victim that a crisis stage has been reached. It occurs when the body's system of temperature regulation fails and body temperature rises to critical levels. This condition is caused by a combination of highly variable factors and its occurrence is difficult to predict. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. The primary signs and symptoms of heat stroke are: • confusion; • irrational behaviour; • loss of consciousness; • convulsions; • a lack of sweating (usually); • hot, dry skin; and • an abnormally high body temperature e.g. a

temperature of 38°C or higher.

• VUL-PLN-04-01-Emergency Management Plan.

• Remove the worker to a cool, shaded area and lay them down.

• Remove clothing and wet skin with cool water, fanning continuously.

• Do not give fluids. • If worker is unconscious, place

them on their side and clear their airway.

4.5. High-Risk Days

High-risk days are where the temperature is forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius. On high-risk days, Supervisors shall remind people that the heat stress potential is increased and remind them to take special precautions over and above those normally employed during the already hot summer period, such as:

• ensure personnel intake of fluids is consistent at least with the 600ml per hour intake recommendation; • ensure personnel are taking regular rest breaks. Breaks are to be in shaded and/or climate-controlled

areas; • personnel are to monitor each other regularly as part of the process of ensuring that no one becomes

heat affected (Buddy System); and • personnel are to be aware of the VUL-ATT-001-Urine Based Heat Stress Diagnosis Tool and how it is

used to self-monitor hydration levels (Appendix A: Urine Colour Chart).

To control heat stress on high-risk days, the following shall be considered:

• providing permanent or portable shade structures; • using plant (preferably equipped with an air-conditioned cabin) to perform work previously performed

by manual means; • introduction of air movement or cooling devices e.g. fans, air conditioners, evaporative coolers;



• providing insulation to minimise heat transmission; • task rotation; • planning work tasks to suit the varying intensity of heat experienced through the day; • performing high exposure tasks at early morning or late afternoon; • ensuring people moving from other location a period of acclimatisation to adjust to the heat conditions; • ensuring cool potable water is readily available; and • ensuring people understand the importance of maintaining sufficient fluid intake.

5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SSE Shall review and approve this procedure.

SHET Superintendent

Shall ensure that all provisions of this procedure are implemented, and that compliance is achieved.

Superintendents

Shall be responsible for their area of operations and the implementation and application of this procedure; Provide adequate training, information, structure and supervision to ensure that this procedure is implemented; Carry-out a periodic review of activities to ensure the appropriate application and understanding of this procedure; and Ensure immediate and appropriate steps are taken to investigate and rectify any risks to health and safety arising from these activities.

Supervisors Ensure all CMWs are familiar with, have access to and comply with the requirements set out in this procedure.

All CMWs (including visitors and contactor)

Shall comply with the requirements of this procedure.

6. REFERENCES

Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (Qld)

Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 (Qld)

DNRME Safety Bulletin 91 Heat stress

DNRME Safety Bulletin 93 Sunlight and other UV radiation risk management

DNRME Safety Bulletin 115 Risk management of heat exposure in mining

Urine colour chart: Health Direct

VUL-ATT-001-Urine Based Heat Stress Diagnosis Tool

VUL-PLN-002-Emergency Management Plan

7. REVIEW

This document shall be reviewed as follows:

https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/business/mining/safety-and-health/alerts-and-bulletins/mines-safety/heat-stress

https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/business/mining/safety-and-health/alerts-and-bulletins/mines-safety/sunlight-and-other-ultraviolet-radiation-risk-management

https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/business/mining/safety-and-health/alerts-and-bulletins/mines-safety/risk-mgt-heat-exposure-mining

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/urine-colour-chart



• when there is a change of method and/or technology and/or legal or other requirement that may affect the accuracy of this document;

• when operational changes occur that effect the currency of the document; • when there has been a significant event to which this document was relevant; and • as a result of relevant audit findings.

8. AUTHORISATION

I, Michael Cavanagh, as Site Senior Executive for Vulcan Mine approve this Mine Operating Procedure for use.

Signature: __________________________________________



9. AMENDMENTS

Version Date Description Document Controller 01 21/05/2020 Initial draft Rachael Dacker 02 26/06/2020 Risk workshop Shane Johnson

10. DOCUMENT CONTROL: ATTENDANCE REVIEW



11. APPENDIX A: URINE COLOUR CHART

mine operating procedure heat stress

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