Blair Whitney & Ben Murphy
Coronado Global Resources Inc
Eleonora Widzyk-Capehart & Zachary Kiehl
Simtars & Sentinel Occupational Safety
Luke Wilkie, Maintenance Manager, Anglo American Dawson Mine
Peter Wilkinson, Associate Principal, Noetic Group
Stephen Williams
Engineering Manager, Connec High Voltage Coupler Systems
High voltage (HV) electricity is one of the primary sources of energy within underground coal mines, the effective control of which is fundamental to maintaining a safe working environment. Furthermore, the equipment typically used in HV transmission and distribution is heavy, requiring manual handling to facilitate installation in what can be deemed a confined and harsh working environment.
HV cable coupler and connection systems are an integral and necessary part of mining electrical systems. Underground mining especially has a frequent need to connect and disconnect cables as a result of both the mining process and cable/connector inspection, maintenance and testing regimes. However, current coupler designs which have been in use for several decades consist primarily of a heavy metallic body that inherently limits methods for “testing for dead” prior to touching the coupler.
This presentation describes at a relatively high level the various associated safety benefits that have been incorporated into developing these polymer coupler systems, including the ability to reliably “test for dead” prior to disconnecting a coupler and the substantial weight reductions that allow for improved manual-handling.
Having been supported by ACARP from the outset, Connec has developed the world’s first polymer-based Restrained (≤3.3 kV) and Bolted (≤11 kV) HV coupler systems that are both ANZEx and IECEx certified for use in underground coal mining environments.
Lauren Williams,
Lung Foundation Australia
Liam Wilson, ISO Committee Member TC-82 Mining, WG 9, ISO Committee TC-82 – Mining, WG 9
An Interview with the last Mining Warden, Frank Windridge, by John Tate, Barrister, Crown Law
Mr Frank Windridge
Appointed as a Magistrate and Warden in 1982, Frank was the Queensland Mining Warden from 1990 to 2001.
During Frank’s appointment as Mining Warden, he oversaw the investigation of all fatalities and serious accidents that occurred in the Queensland mining industry. In particular, Frank’s contribution to advancing health and safety is best illustrated by the introduction of risk-based legislation in 1999, following his investigation and 1996 Report into the 1994 Moura No. 2 Underground Coal Mine disaster.
Frank’s continuing passion is the improvement of mine health and safety. His experience has been gained through the fatalities he has investigated, as well as through the impact he has seen on families, work mates and the industry when loss of life occurs.
Mr John Tate
John was admitted to practice law as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1981. He has practised both privately and in government in a number of Australian jurisdictions – in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Norfolk Island and Queensland.
Since 1996, John has acted as Counsel Assisting in Mining Warden’s and Coronial inquiries in virtually all mining, explosives, petroleum and gas fatalities in Queensland. Additionally, he has been retained in a range of other fatality inquiries where the primary issue has concerned hospital misadventure, aircraft failure, fatigue, or the suspicion of murder. To this point, John has acted as Counsel Assisting in over 90 public fatality inquiries.
For many years, John’s interests and experience have focused on the critical review of safety and health management and training systems, on accident investigation methodologies, and on compliance issues. Reflecting this, he is frequently engaged as a speaker in public forums and conferences.
Facilitator: Kylie Ah Wong, Director - Health, Safety & Training, Glencore Coal Assets Australia