Resources Safety and Health Queensland has warned that mines shouldn’t use vacuum trucks to recover explosives
Resources Safety and Health Queensland has identified a dangerous practice where mines and other users of explosives are using vacuum trucks to recover stemming or bulk explosives from a loaded blast hole after misfires.
RSHQ acting general manager of operations Patrick Jensen says vacuum trucks are not designed or authorised to transport or transfer explosives in Queensland and the practice should cease immediately.
“The use of vacuum trucks to remove and transport explosives is prohibited in Queensland for several reasons and should cease immediately,” Jensen says.
“It creates significant risk because static electricity can accumulate in sufficient amounts to cause unintended initiation of a priming charge.
“Any safety risk to workers is unacceptable, so site senior executives, mine operators and other operations using explosives should audit their processes and ensure only authorised systems are used on their site.”
- Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to receive the latest news in the earthmoving industry
- Never miss a great deal and subscribe to our monthly magazine
- Download a free copy of our latest digital magazine to catch up on the biggest news and developments in the earthmoving industry
All pumps used in the transfer of explosives must have pump protection systems that are regularly inspected or tested and documented in line with the Explosives Regulation 2017.
“The system must be capable of detecting and mitigating dead heading and dry operation of the pump,” Jensen says.
“Systems must be of the ‘fail safe’ type and pumps should be configured to have adequate ‘net positive suction head’.
“Where possible, pumps should have the shaft sealing device on the suction side of the pump. Copper use on fittings is not regulated, so they are more susceptible to tetra amine copper nitrate generation.”
Mines and other users of explosives are reminded that misfires must be remediated in accordance with AS2187.2 – 2006, clause 10.3 and the removal of stemming must be conducted in accordance with AS2187.2 – 2006, clause 10.3.4 Removal of stemming.