CMPA Update (Issue 13)
INTERLUDE
ROPE
A piece of rope walks into a bar and orders a beer. The Bartender asks “Hey, are you a piece of rope?” The rope answers yes and the Bartender says “We don’t serve rope.” So the rope goes outside and ties himself in a knot and comes back in. “Gimme a beer,” he says.
The bartender looks at him and asks “Hey, are you a piece of rope?”
The rope answers yes and the Bartender says “We don’t serve rope.” So the rope goes outside and frays the top of his head. He walks back into the bar and says “Gimme a beer.”
The Bartender takes a long look at him and says’ ” Hey, aren’t you that piece of rope?” and the rope say’s “Nope, Frayed Knot.”
Denise
A pregnant woman from Melbourne gets in a car accident and falls into a deep coma. Asleep for nearly 6 months, when she wakes up she sees that she is no longer pregnant and frantically asks the doctor about her baby.
The doctor replies, “Ma’am you had twins! a boy and a girl. Your brother from Adelaide came in and named them.“
The woman thinks to herself, “No, not my brother… he’s an idiot!“
She asks the doctor, “Well, what’s the girl’s name?”
“Denise.”
“Wow, that’s not a bad name, I like it! What’s the boy’s name?”
“Denephew.”
Brain Teaser:
Some parrots were sitting on two power-lines. One of the parrots on the first line said to those on the second: ‘If one of you come over to us, we will be twice as many as you.’ A parrot on the second line replied: ‘If one of you come over to us, there will be the same amount on both lines’. How many parrots sat on the first line?
Answer at bottom of page.
Terms and Conditions Document:
An external consultant has been engaged to formulate an industry wide Terms and Conditions document for sale of quarry materials and conduct a review of the subcontractors role under VicRoads contracts. This has already involved discussions and cooperation from VicRoads and the Extractive Industry Association. The final document will assist in the protection of quarry businesses and protection against claims or non payment arising from poor contract arrangements.
Certificate II for Quarry Management
CMPA has applied for further funding to provide members with access to affordable training. Run similar to the Work Safely Training the next two units will be ‘Local Risk Control’ and ‘Communicate in the Work Place’. Both units will be combined into a two day course. These units contribute to another two competencies from the Certificate II for Quarry Management.
Removal of Training Funding from the Extractive Industry
Currently the State Government is attempting to withdraw designated funding for training of personnel within the extractive, mining and coal industries. The CMPA has voiced its concerns over the misrepresentative statistics used to support this plan. The data presented by the Office of Training and Tertiary Education (OTTE) claimed that 49% of the industry had undergone training.
Promoting Education
CMPA has taken initial steps to improve the marketing and appeal of the quarry industry to high school graduates and other prospective employees. This is a long term goal that the CMPA hopes will attract entry level employees to address the problem of an ageing workforce.
Capital Selection, Acquisition and Commissioning Reference Manual (CSACRM)
The CMPA Associates Committee has received a draft copy of the Plant and Vehicle Management Manual which will be reviewed prior to development of a final draft for use by the CMPA.
Silica
Peter Day Consulting has developed a submission on behalf of the CMPA regarding the National Occupational Health and Safety Commissions (NOHSC) plans to reduce the National Exposure Standard for Crystalline Silica from 0.2mg/m3 to 0.13mg/m3. In a nutshell the submission opposed the proposal due to lack of evidence that a reduction to the current exposure standard was justified. Thank you to all members and non-members who provided support for the submission.
Rehabilitation Bonds
The rehabilitation bond review instigated by the CMPA three years ago continues to progress. Currently a proposal is being developed for the Extractive Industry Development Act Review in 2005.
Extractive Industry Development (Amendment) Act
This Bill has been passed by the Upper House. The CMPA had a great deal of involvement in the National Competition Policy Review and intends to further represent its members during the complete review of the Act in 2005.
Dust Manual
The CMPA is in the process of developing a Dust Management Manual to assist members in implementing controls and procedures to minimise dust exposure. First Draft of the document is due for completion before the end of year break.
Driller Procedure Document
Drilling and blasting documentation and associated training which is presently under development will provide members and their drillers work practices that aim to minimise the potential for incidents. Initial discussions are being held with drillers, quarry managers and the DPI, and the results will be the focus for discussion.
National Mine Safety Framework
The CMPA has provided feedback on the National Mine Safety Framework Implementation Plan.
Native Vegetation and Biodiversity Regulations:
Feedback has been provided by the CMPA regarding the possible implications for the industry.
Brain teaser solution
Seven.
There must be 7 on the first wire and 5 on the second wire. That way, when one jumps from the first line to the second line there will be 6 galahs on both lines. If one galah jumps from the second line to the first line there will be 8 on the first line and 4 left on the second!
If you know a good brain teaser please forward it to the CMPA!
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