Critical Incident Response & Pest Animal and Weed Management Workshop
GAVIN MOREIRA, Member Services Manager for CMPA and Wayne Deken, Quarry Manager for Conundrum Holdings reports on the successful day held in the Geelong – Surf Coast area of Victoria for CMPA members.
On 25th March 2021, the CMPA held a workshop to assist CMPA members in ensuring that procedures are in place and that responsibilities are defined and understood to ensure rapid and well-structured management of a critical incident and to control the potential impact, spread and regeneration of noxious weeds and pest animals.
The day commenced at the Mt Duneed Estate, Waurn Ponds with about 20 CMPA members and others in attendance. It was our first face to face event in over 12 months. One of our key sponsors for the day Paul Griffin (Impact Drill & Blast) provided a presentation what it takes to make a positive IMPACT on your business. Everyone, from the front office to the front line
believes in doing better, searching for unconventional solutions to improve safety, reduce costs, abbreviate timelines (without taking shortcuts), and boost the overall business performance of your company.
New technologies such as electronic detonators, drone surveying, GPS guided drills, and our high energy Red Star emulsion have seen our customers report not only greater safety but better-quality fines at less cost (up to 20%) in shorter time spans. That is win-win-win.
The new CMPA Critical Incident Response Plan Template was presented by David McKelvie (Safemix). He began by highlighting Critical Incident responses to some actual ‘real life’ Incidents that have occurred in recent times.
Incident 1 – Fatality involving an EWP;
In this incident a worker was killed when he was ejected from a raised EWP when one of the 4 wheels broke through the top of an unseen disused septic tank. The deceased was not wearing a safety harness, a second worker in the EWP who was wearing a safety harness was also ejected but survived and was able to climb back into the basket. Workers, responding to the incident were unable to lower the basket to evacuate the surviving worker. The local CFA was unable to rescue the surviving worker from the basket because they did not have a long enough ladder. A crane was called to assist but it did not have the proper rescue equipment. A second crane was called with a basket suitable for rescuers and the worker was evacuated from the EWP basket approximately 4hrs after the incident occurred.
Incident 2 – Rigid haul Truck Flip Over;
In this incident a worked was tipping over an embankment when the truck slid down and flipped backwards landing upside down. The worker was wearing his seatbelt and was trapped suspended from the driver’s seat. The worker was relatively uninjured directly after the incident. The incident occurred in an area that could not be seen by other workers, the truck was either not fitted with a 2-way radio or the worker was unable to reach the radio. The worker did not have a mobile phone. No one came looking for the worker, so he released himself from the seatbelt only to break his neck in the fall once released. In this case there was no response from others to incident for some time when the worker was found latter having sustained the broken neck and becoming wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life.
Incident 3 – Fatality following capsized Pontoon;
In this incident a worker was drowned whilst assisting with fitment of a large pump to a floating pontoon. Four workers were standing on the pontoon as a pump was lowered into position onto the pontoon. The exact position of the pump had not been pre-determined as the workers wanted to see how the pontoon sat in the water once the pump was positioned on it. The pump was sat ‘loose’ on the pontoon and disconnected from the crane whilst the workers all moved to one side causing the pontoon to capsize. The pump came free of the pontoon entangling one of the workers and pinning him to the bottom of the water storage. In this case there was no means of rescuing the drowning worker.
David then gave an overview of the CMPA’s ‘Critical Incident Response Plan Template’. The template outlines:
• Specific responsibilities for site managers
• General responsibilities for workers and contractors
• Processes for managing media and rules in regards to the
use of social media
There are 4 attachments to the template:
• Attachment A) Notifiable Incidents
• Attachment B) Supporting Family and Workers
• Attachment C) Internal and External Investigations
• Attachment D) Evacuation Trial Review Checklist
A copy of the CMPA ‘Critical Incident Response Plane Template’ document was given to each attendee.
CMPA members can use this template as a guide to establishing a site specific Critical Incident Response Plan.
The second presentation was by Jen Oliver, Group Leader Earth Resources for WorkSafe Victoria. She discussed “What is a Serious Incident” using examples of ‘common’ serious incidents in the Extractive Industries, such as.
• Mobile Equipment Roll-overs
• Fly-rock Incidents
• Batter Collapse
• Ambulance / Hospital (in patient)
Jen then spoke about the definitions and requirements under Section 37 of the OH&S Act in regard to ‘Incidents’, with a focus on (i) what is deemed a ‘Notifiable Incident’, (ii) the process of Notification to WorkSafe and (iii) the requirement to ‘preserve the scene’ of a Notifiable Incident.
The next part of the presentation concentrated on Investigations and the role that the WorkSafe Victoria Inspectors play in returning the areas to safe operations. Followed by an interactive look and review of 6 Extractive Industries ‘roll-over’ incidents. 2 x Articulated Dump Truck, 1 x Articulated Water Truck, 1 x Drill Rig, 1 x Dozer and 1 x trailer roll-over (on road T&T). In each case we looked at and discussed the circumstances of each incident, the possible Contributing Factors and the ‘Actions Taken’ / ‘Lessons Learnt’.
Following morning tea Jessica Hunt, Manager, Complex Mines, Fire and Emergency for ERR spoke about Reportable Events and what the expectations and processes are for quarry operators. Jessica pointed out the legislative requirement, under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 (MRSDA), for Work Authority holders to “report to the Chief Inspector a reportable event as soon as practicable after the reportable event occurs”. Regulation 20 (1) (a) of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Extractive Industries Regulations 2019 (MRSDEIR) outlines the format for which a report must be made.
Jessica then presented a list of ‘What to report’ (detailed in MRSDEIR regulation 20 [2]) the list included:
• any explosion (not including planned blasts) or outbreak of Fire.
• slope failure or unexpected slope movement.
• an injury to the member of the public.
• unexpected or abnormal inrush of ground water or other
water/fluid.
• ejection of ‘fly rock’ outside the work plan area.
• incidents of ‘trespassing’ on a Work Authority.
• any breach of conditions risking public safety, environment
or infrastructure.
• an abnormal event or an event that may result in significant
impact on public safety or the environment.
General Rule of thumb:
If an incident is reportable under Section 37(2) of the OH&S Act, then, it is also a reportable event under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990. Which means the licence or Work Authority holder must notify WorkSafe and report to ERR. Furthermore, if a reportable incident involves a subcontractor, the sub-contractor must notify WorkSafe as well.
Prior to lunch the attendees were split into separate groups and David McKelvie introduced a couple of Incident Scenarios with an outline of the circumstances surrounding each event. The groups were asked to select one of the scenarios and identify what was the ‘Root Cause’ of the incident and what were ‘Contributory Causes’ of the incidents. At the completion of the exercise each group presented their findings to the others.
A sit down lunch brought opportunities to network with fellow
members and to discuss what had been learned during the
morning’s presentations.
After lunch, our second sponsor Julian Wandres an Occupational
Hygienist (Anitech) provided a presentation on dusts within the
raw materials processing industry (rocks and minerals). His
presentation detailed
- ‘What makes a particle of dust hazardous?’.
- Current trends identified within raw materials processing.
- What can you do? – Self assessment guide.
His presentation did highlight a general ‘over estimation’ on the effectiveness of Respiratory Protective Equipment (i.e.. P2 dust masks etc). In particular when the subject wearing the mask also had facial hair that prevented a proper seal on the skin.
The new CMPA Noxious Weeds and Pest Animals Control Plan Guideline and Template was presented by David McKelvie (Safemix). David gave an overview of the newly developed CMPA Guideline and Template, which is designed to be modified and tailored to each individual site.
Under the Code of Practice for small quarries a site should be
managed so that:
• It does not become a source of noxious weeds, plant diseases and pest animals; and
• To prevent their introduction throughout establishment, operation and rehabilitation phases of a quarry.
• The Template provides guidance in regards to:
• General Responsibilities
• Training & Awareness
• Hazard Identification & Control of Noxious Weeds
• Hazard Identification & Control of Pest Animals
• Monitoring & Review
Each attendee was circulated a ‘hard copy’ of the document.
Our final presentation was from Mark Malone, Quarry Manager (Batesford Quarry) who provided the group with background information on the development of the quarry. We then jumped on the coach and headed up the highway. The group gained a practical understanding on the history of the site, current operations and Critical Incidents and Pest Animal and Weed Management controls.
A bonus for those on the bus was a chance to walk the quarry floor with the sand plants in full operation, thanks again to Mark Malone.
“Great firsthand experiences and regulatory guidance was invaluable.”
“A good session, lots of useful information.”
“Great day, great venue, our first workshop. Hopefully not our last.”
“Enjoyed all presentations and met likeminded people in the industry. Information delivered was helpful.”
Thanks again also to all the presenters, to our sponsors Anitech
Pty Ltd and Impact Drill & Blast and to Batesford Quarry for
allowing the group to visit their quarry.
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