Xstrata Copper North Queensland.pdf - Mount Isa Mines

Workplace health and safety
Contractors prepare to erect structural
steelwork for Ernest Henry Mining’s magnetite
extraction plant
In December 2010, EHM recruited an on-site
Occupational Therapist to provide:
Occupational illnesses by type – Ernest Henry Mining
Nature of illness 2009 2010
Noise-induced hearing loss Nil 1
Occupational hygiene sampling and analysis – Ernest Henry Mining
Type of sample collected and analysed 2009 2010
Airborne dust (inhalable and respirable) 203 115
Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) 35 36
Noise 85 42
The acquisition of a range of new specialised
equipment allows us to respond to the
unique challenges presented by the
developing shaft underground mine. This
includes two Underground Emergency
Response light vehicles, BG4 closed circuit
breathing apparatus, a new ERT building and
other specialist tools.
Contractor management
2010 was a record year for EHM with a large
influx of contractors for the construction of
the magnetite plant and shaft underground
mine in addition to various supporting
infrastructure projects. Much effort was made
to ensure all contractors were appropriately
integrated into the workforce with dedicated
induction programs, targeted Safe Work
Observations and regular audits.
In addition to the short-term management of
project contractors, work commenced on a
review of the Health and Safety Management
System to ensure there was an effective
process for management of contractor
systems used on site. The new system
incorporates management of Health, Safety,
Environment and Community requirements
and provides simplified access to information
for our contractors.
Occupational Health
A Fatigue Management Program commenced
in 2010 with all foreseeable risks associated
with fatigue management requiring a review
of current controls and the development
of appropriate additional controls. EHM
is predominately a fly-in/fly-out (FIFO)
operation, with charter and commercial
flights from Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane.
Around 19% of the workforce (employees
and contractors) lives locally, so there are a
range of different roster combinations, with
the majority working 12 hour days.
One of the biggest fatigue-related risks
facing EHM is the issue of commuting
prior to, during and following a sequence
of shifts. Therefore, fatigue management
is incorporated into our Health and Safety
Management System and aims to achieve the
following outcomes:
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Identification of robust strategies and
actions for implementation and a plan
to sustain the impetus for the long term
Consistent application of fatigue
assessment and management
strategies, through improved
behavioural observations and revamped
education programs
The promotion and maintenance of a safe
and healthy workforce fulfilling EHM’s
Duty of Care principles and requirements.
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acute services for injury management
with the aim of returning workers
promptly to pre-injury levels
a more diverse range of services, such
as massage, relaxation and other stressrelated
strategies
education and training, particularly in
relation to injury avoidance, and health
and wellbeing
after-work programs at the
accommodation village e.g. gym,
weight loss
ERT fitness programs
workplace assessments and assistance
with the hygiene monitoring program.
Monitoring programs
During the year we continued the
identification of hygiene hazards and
implemented the 2010 monitoring and control
strategy. Occupational Hygiene monitoring
was undertaken for dust, noise and
underground Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM).
Noise
Employees participate in personal sampling
in each of the operating areas to provide
representative samples of exposure to noise.
During the year, EHM participated in the
North Queensland noise survey, to identify
and assess noise sources at EHM. An EHM
noise control plan that targets noise sources
identified in the survey as posing the greatest
health risk to workers will be developed and
implemented in 2011.
Airborne dust
Employees participate in routine personal
inhalable and respirable dust monitoring
programs in each of the operating areas to
provide representative samples of exposure.
Inhalable dust samples measure dust particles
and the level of other contaminants in the
dust, such as lead and arsenic. Personal
respirable dust monitoring, which includes
monitoring for respirable quartz (silica),
measures smaller dust particles which can be
inhaled into the deep reaches of the lungs.
Diesel Particulate Matter
In 2010 exposure in the underground
environment was included in our sampling
program. We prioritised controls aimed at
limiting the DPM generated from vehicles
and ensuring adequate ventilation to exhaust
diesel fumes from mine areas. Our goal is to
reduce DPM exposure to personnel to as low
as reasonably practicable.
36 XSTRATA COPPER NORTH QUEENSLAND