Underground » Detection and Prevention of Fires and Explosions
The aim of this project was to improve the capabilities of an underground coal mine to rapidly and accurately investigate any abnormal gas concentrations detected in the mine. This was achieved through the development of and implementation of support systems that can assist the mine personnel to quickly and reliably identify the location of a fire, explosion or other significant incident and promote timely and appropriate responses. The systems include computer software and Decision-making assistance that assist in the rapid characterisation of incidents. In addition the system can be used to optimise the design and operation of mine environment-monitoring systems and assist in the on site training on mine personnel in emergency response. Readily available commercial products have been used to convert the procedures into suitable electronic format such as web format or e-books. In addition there are a number of logic Decision-making assistant programs that have been evaluated.
The genesis of the project came from observation of the operation of Incident Management Teams in the Level One Emergency Response Simulation Exercises. In addition experience obtained in participation in a number of actual incidents was input into the process. In general there was significant opportunity to improve the way information was obtained, stored, analysed and displayed in the IMT as well as the need to improve record keeping and objective Decision-making.
Comments from experienced mining industry personnel guided the project into developing tools that were easy to use, and required little or no additional specialist software or training.
The project identified that information such as policies, procedures and expert information could be easily prepared in electronic format such as e-books and stored on personal computers or even on more portable PPC's. In addition a number of electronic diagnostic tools were developed using Microsoft Excel as the basis. These tools enabled good visualisation of incidents, improved incident investigation and enhanced analysis and interpretation. In addition reporting and record keeping was improved through the use of Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. A plethora of potential electronic aids to Decision-making were identified and a number were trialled for ease of use. It was emphasised by industry personnel that the responsibility for decision-making must remain with the IMT and any use of electronic or other techniques must only be as aids to this process and not attempt to replace them. Source identification of fires and significant incidents was enhanced through incorporation within VENTSIM, commonly used ventilation modelling program, of algorithms that help identify the source of abnormal gas concentrations.
The tools of the project have been demonstrated at a number of venues and to a range of organisations including the Queensland Mines Rescue Inertisation Seminar, Queensland Mining Industry Safety and Health Conference, NSW Mines Rescue Service, and SIMTARS. Additional presentations are scheduled to the mine managers' associations in NSW and Queensland. In their current form these tools should only be considered as prototypes and it is hoped that commercial suppliers of mine environment software and individual mine sites when preparing emergency preparedness systems will tailor these tools to their own needs. It was made clear in the project at an early stage that computer based tools were of no value if personnel were not kept familiar with their operation.
Strong support for extension of this project to the mines rescue services has been expressed by both the NSW and Qld Mines Rescue Services and this currently the subject of an application to ACARP for further research funding. The focus of this new application will be on the development of the Decision-making process to ensure that it adds value to the IMT as well as providing some tools specific to the management of mines rescue personnel and their activities.
Discussions are proceeding with a number of mines to incorporate elements of these tools in their emergency response systems.
The support of Dartbrook and United Collieries, and the Queensland and NSW Mines Rescue Services is gratefully acknowledged. The help from the ACARP project mentor Mr Bruce Robertson and ACARP monitor Mr Bevan Kathage is also gratefully acknowledged.