ACARP ACARP ACARP ACARP
Underground

Taxonomy - Accidents in the Coal Mining Industry

Underground » Health and Safety

Published: January 97Project Number: C4044

Get ReportAuthor: Geoff McDonald | Geoff McDonald and Associates

The objective of this study is to improve the way industry injury/incident data contributes to mine site prevention strategies by adopting alternative classification and analysis systems. The system used in this study is aimed at providing factual information to assist in predicting "class 1" damage (ie where a person's future is permanently altered by the damage).

Phase 1 of this study analysed damaging occurrences resulting in a fatality, an injury with a lost time duration of 90 days or more and those where a lump sum workers compensation payout was made, during the period 1990-1995.

A total of 1231 occurrences (at a total cost of some $130 million) were classified into a "taxonomy" according to an energy model. Compensation cost was also attributed to each occurrence and groups of occurrences and the data presented in coal industry, open cut and underground categories.

At the broadest level of analysis the following results were obtained:

ENERGY TYPE % of Total Occurrences % of Total Cost
Human 39.8 38
Gravitational 32.3 34.7
Machine 20.6 22.09
Object 2.9 1.98
Thermal 1.29 68
Chemical 9 1.2
Other 1.5 1.14

Some of the situations associated with a significant number of occurrences included:

  • occurrences resulted in musculo-skeletal damage associated with handling objects, machines and components. The total cost was $23 million and the most common objects identified were machine components, cables, timber, pipes, hoses, drums and bulk bags.
  • involvement with uneven surfaces produced 199 occurrences. The main sub-categories were:
  • musculo-skeletal damage from slips and falls on uneven, rough or muddy ground, especially while handling objects or when stepping to the ground from machinery or from platforms or ladders. These totalled 78 occurrences at almost $9 million.
  • uneven surfaces also combined with the movement of mobile equipment to generate vibration and jarring damage. This resulted in 121 occurrences at $13 million.
 

Underground

Health and safety, productivity and environment initiatives.

Recently Completed Projects

C33009Ceramic Wall Flow Filter Commercialisation

The purpose of the project was to develop a commercially available a...

C29019Mechanical Assessment Of Time-Dependent (Creep) Behaviour Of Coal And Coal Measure Rocks Under Uniaxial And Triaxial Conditions

This project focuses on long term pillar stability and strata, as we...

C34007Evaluating Toxicity Of Different Types Of Respirable Crystalline Silica Particles To Lung Cells And Tissues

Silica dust represents one of the most significant occupational haza...

Underground

Open Cut

Safety, productivity and the right to operate are priorities for open cut mine research.

Recently Completed Projects

C36019Development Of An In-Situ Slew Bearing Scanner For Shovels

This report details the development steps for a new in-situ slew bea...

C33036Radar Tyre Monitor System

This project focussed on trialling a radar sensing technology design...

C26020Preventing Fatigue Cracking Via Proactive Surface Dressing

Fatigue cracking of plant and equipment presents a significant chall...

Open Cut

Coal Preparation

Maximising throughput and yield while minimising costs and emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C35036Autonomous Stockpile Dozing: Quantifying Viability

The automation of bulldozer operations on stockpiles presents a sign...

C35024Froth Fotation Predicted V Actual Definition

Correct outcomes in froth flotation yield predictions for product as...

C35032Improving The Dewatering Of Fine Coal Tailings By Minimising Micro-Nano Bubbles

Dewatering of fine coal tailings remains a major operational challen...

Coal Preparation

Technical Market Support

Market acceptance and emphasising the advantages of Australian coals.

Recently Completed Projects

C35043Abrasion Resistance Of Coke Under Hydrogen Reduction Blast Furnace Conditions

The hydrogen enriched blast furnace is emerging as a viable alternat...

C35039Impact Of Coal Grain Composition And Macerals Association On Fluidity Development In Australian Coals

The coke quality prediction models use thermoplastic terms as key ex...

C36004Physical And Chemical Structure Characterisation Of Biomass For Biocoke Production

Partial substitution of coking coal with renewable biomass is identi...

Technical Market Support

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the production of coal.

Recently Completed Projects

C34066Safe Operation Of Catalytic Reactors For The Oxidation Of VAM Operating Under Abnormal Reaction Conditions

The catalyst Pd/TS-1 has shown excellent activity in oxidising venti...

C28076Selective Absorption Of Methane By Ionic Liquids (SAMIL)

This third and final stage of this project was the culmination of a ...

C29069Low-Cost Catalyst Materials For Effective VAM Catalytic Oxidation

Application of ventilation air methane (VAM) thermal oxidiser requir...

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Low Emission Coal Use

Step-change technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C17060BGasification Of Australian Coals

Four Australian coals were trialled in the Siemens 5 MWth pilot scale ga...

C17060AOxyfuel Technology For Carbon Capture And Storage Critical Clean Coal Technology - Interim Support

The status of oxy-fuel technology for first-generation plant is indicate...

C18007Review Of Underground Coal Gasification

This report consists of a broad review of underground coal gasification,...

Low Emission Coal Use

Mining And The Community

The relationship between mines and the local community.

Recently Completed Projects

C16027Assessing Housing And Labour Market Impacts Of Mining Developments In Bowen Basin Communities

The focus of this ACARP-funded project has been to identify a number...

C22029Understanding And Managing Cumulative Impacts Of Coal Mining And Other Land Uses In Regions With Diversified Economies

The coal industry operates in the context of competing land-uses that sh...

C23016Approval And Planning Assessment Of Black Coal Mines In NSW And Qld: A Review Of Economic Assessment Techniques

This reports on issues surrounding economic assessment and analysis ...

Mining And The Community

NERDDC

National Energy Research,Development & Demonstration Council (NERDDC) reports - pre 1992.

Recently Completed Projects

1609-C1609Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

1301-C1301Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development...

Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development and Extraction Operations

0033-C1356Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals...

Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals - An Industry Handbook

NERDDC