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Articles Why Is Safety Education So Important For Mine Ventilation?

Why Is Safety Education So Important For Mine Ventilation?

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Ahead of the Dust Control & Mine Ventilation West Africa 2013, Mining IQ caught up with Hector Amoah, Fire and Rescue Superintendent, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mines, who will be presenting at the event. Hector chats about the importance of education, safety, preventing disasters, re-entry decisions.

As a fire and rescue Superintendent, what do you see as the biggest considerations in terms of safety and mine ventilation? 

Education on safety issues and policies for employees. Safety is a culture and be inculcated in employees. Safety induction for new employees and those coming from leave. Safety of workers should be paramount and each employee should be given self- contained self-rescuer (SCSR) before going underground, to be used in the event of any emergency. Also Refuge chambers should be provided at least 750m apart where employees will seek refuge in an emergency. Escape route should also be well demarcated. Training on how, where and when to don SCSR. Conduct underground fire/evacuation drills including the use of Rescue Chamber.

Equipment for Rescue operations i.e. Breathing Apparatus (BG4), Stretchers, Resuscitation equipment, spreader, cutters, etc. and vent equipment and training of man power.

Mine ventilation should not be polluted of noxious or flammable gases. Presence of these gases possess health hazard and especially where flammable are presence.

What do you think it is the one biggest disaster recovery implication for the underground mine manager?
Gas explosion which can cause multiple fatalities and equipment damage, causing loss of lives, loss of production, loss of equipment, loss of material and expenditure on Rescue teams. Mine Managers should make sure there are no accumulations of explosive/flammable gases underground by tasking Ventilation Officers.

What is the role of the ventilation officer in preventing disasters?
One of the disasters is gas explosion and is the duty of Ventilation Officer to make sure there is enough ventilation underground. Ventilation send underground is for the following reasons
Supply oxygen for breathing purposes and must be above 19% by volume.
Remove heat and provide comfortable working conditions and hence improve production.
To dilute and remove noxious and flammable gases that may be encountered during mining operations.
To dilute and remove hazardous airborne pollutants created by various mining operations underground. (i.e. dust, fumes, vapor’s, etc.)

What are the top 2 issues to consider when dealing with a re-entry decision?
Re-entry of any fire zone is hazardous and the person in charge of the recovery operations should make sure of the proper time of unsealing the fire and that those engaged in the work are safe guarded in every possible ways. Make sure
The carbon monoxide and indication of combustion has disappeared.
The oxygen content of the sealed atmosphere is low enough to make explosion impossible.
The sealed area has been given time to cool to minimize the chances of rekindling when air is admitted.
The following could be encountered in the sealed area when entered and must be taken care off.
Heat
Low oxygen
Gases
Fall of ground
Explosion

What are you looking forward to most at the upcoming Dust Control and Mine Ventilation West Africa 2013?
My expectations are to offer suggestions to Dust control and Mine Ventilation to most Mining Companies. Dust is an issue for both Surface and Underground mining operations leading to various occupational health sickness/diseases hence modern method of controlling are welcome. Also various speakers will offer suggestions in their areas of responsibilities.

 
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