Members Day 2021 – Blast Management Plan Webinar and General Meeting
GAVIN MOREIRA, Member Services Manager for CMPA provides an update on the Blast Management Plan (BMP) Webinar and General Meeting held via MS Teams for CMPA members.
The current pandemic continues to cause frustration for Members who were looking forward to a few days in Traralgon and visiting Matthews Quarries, unfortunately the evolving COVID situation in Melbourne at the time had other ideas and the face to face event was cancelled the day before and reverted to a MS Teams event.
On 27th May 2021, the CMPA held a BMP webinar to inform CMPA members on their responsibilities when it comes to blasting on site and how to use the updated CMPA Blast Management Template as well as keeping in line with changes to regulations and legislation.
Issue 3 of the CMPA Blast Management Plan (BMP) Template was presented by David McKelvie (Safemix). He began by highlighting that The Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2011 under Regulation 130 requires operators to have a BMP. The BMP must be prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of Australian Standard 2187.2 – 2006 Explosives – Storage and use Part 2: Use of explosives.
Both the Earth Resources Regulator and WorkSafe are responsible to ensure that Extractive Industry Operators will meet these requirements:
• The Earth Resources Regulator requires specific obligations to be managed when preparing a Blast Management Plan as part of the site’s Work Plan, therefore Work Authority
• WorkSafe require specific obligations to be managed and implemented so as to be satisfied that the Extractive Industry Operator is meeting their workplace health and safety regulatory duties.
There is some overlap of these two regulators’ requirements and a table in the BMP Template sets out their respective obligations against AS 2187.2.
The overall objective of the BMP is to ensure there is no negative impact on the workplace, the environment or the surrounding community resulting from blasting activity. To meet this objective the BMP outlines the following processes and commitments.
• Identify all hazards and associated risks with blasting activity.
• Eliminate or control risks as far as is reasonably practicable.
• Identify site specific requirements, e.g., selection of personnel, training, communication systems, exclusion zones.
• Control the blast process from design to initiation, evaluation.
• Monitor potential environmental impact, air blast overpressure and ground vibration.
• Implement processes to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Assure compliance with suppliers & /providers contracts.
• Respond to complaints in a timely and professional manner.
• Provide the community with an understanding of our operations and commitments.
• Engage with the community to understand their expectations.
• Implement a review process to assess completion of objectives.
David gave an overview of the CMPA’s ‘BMP Template’ which outlines:
• Site Overview, People and Responsibility
• Explosives Storage and Control
• Blasting Arrangements, Frequency and Timing
• Environmental Conditions and Monitoring Obligations
• Blast Site Preparation and Blasting Parameters
• Establishing Blast Charging Safety Zone
• Planning Pre-Loading & Firing and Handling Misfires
There are 5 attachments to the template including:
Blast Charging Procedure, Misfire Management Flow Chart, Mapping Tools – AS.2187.2 Appendix A to the BMP, Blasting Hazards / Risks and their Controls in the BMP and Magazine Management Safety Checklist and
Shotfirer’s Book and Checklist.
CMPA members can use this template as a guide to establish a site specific Blast Management Plan.
The next two presentations were by the Regulators. First was Tony Robinson, Assistant Director Technical Services from Earth Resources Regulation (ERR) who provided an update on ERR’s draft Blasting Guideline. As well as looking at how:
• Work Plan applications often require changes to ensure blasting is adequately addressed;
• Blasting is not covered in the ERR Work Plan Guidelines;
• Aim is to help applicants get their application right first-time.
The next presenter was Michael (Harry) Terry, Technical Inspector
from WorkSafe Victoria who touched on the safety aspects of the
BMP including the requirements and risks (see below):
• Unauthorised access to blast area
• Inadequate training and competency for staff
• Ensure shot firers are licensed and competent
• Blasting procedure inadequate and Damage to structures
• Risk of fly rock, unsuitable exclusion zones and misfire
This was then followed with an animated video from a Dangerous Blasting incident at an Albury Quarry to create discussion and to highlight the reasons for adhering to the BMP put in place at the site.
The webinar’s sponsor Orica Australia (Quarry Services) then provided a presentation looking at the companies Major Hazard program (an extract can be found on page 23) as well as looking at blast area preparation, survey, mark out and drilling, considerations for DIY blasting v contractors, drone applications in blasting and finally finishing with new technologies in wireless initiation.
The final speaker for the afternoon was James Richards from Terrock who provided further information on BMP’s as well as looking at the layout for a more detailed individual blast plan and the requirements from AS2187.2-2006: Appendix A.
He discussed blast design requirements and the changes that could happen onsite from one shot to the next shot. The EPA 500m buffer distances were discussed for determining separation distance from the nearest property boundary and neighbouring properties.
Followed by discussions of the impacts by blasting on infrastructure including electricity, gas and water and looking at the challenges when blasting near them and being able to negotiate blasting conditions considering ground vibration limits.
The evenings General Meeting was held via MS Teams which made it hard for a lot of our regional members to attend due to internet blackspots and dropouts. There were two key presentations which provided for very robust online discussions.
John Krbaleski, Head Earth Resources and his team from DJPR discussed “Improving the Assessment of Rehabilitation Liabilities and Bonds for Quarries.”
Four key areas were:
• Headline Industry Statistics: A summary of the ERR’s Annual Statistics Report 2019/20 was given. It was pointed out that the Annual Statistical Report is missing key values such as the tonnages per annum approved by ERR to enable monitoring of replenishment of supply.
• Rehabilitation – Improving Regulatory Practice: Much discussion was generated from this presentation due to apparently incorrect information being supplied to the VAGO Rehabilitating Mines Report 2020, the extractive industry has been caught up in the VAGO Report recommendations. This is despite only ~$20K being expended by the Victorian Government on rehabilitating quarries in the last 25 years. With mines this figure is ~$6 million and growing.
• Bond Calculator and Roll Out: The updated bond calculator (from 16 March 2021) increased by CPI from 2010. There were also other additions to the bond calculator such as monitoring and maintenance during rehabilitation. This will apply in the first instance to:
○ Targeted quarries that have been assessed by ERR as a rehabilitation risk;
○ Self-reported rehabilitation liability greater than their current bond;
○ Where a work plan variation involves an expansion to the extraction area;
○ Where Work Authorities are surrendered or transferred.
• Bank Guarantees: ERR now accept cash bonds up to $50K (previously $20K).
Ian Mond, Leader Heavy Vehicle Networks from the Department of Transport (DoT) provided an insightful presentation on his area, Heavy Vehicle Services. Discussions were had on the make-up of the team which looks after four key areas:
- Network and Corridor Planning
- Policy and Innovation
- Structural Engineering
- NHVR
More detail was provided on Heavy vehicle access and networks in particular gazetted networks and pre-approved networks. What is being done to “Close the Last Mile Gap” a key issue and concern for our Members. Information was provided on the NHVR Portal and looking at VicRoads permit applications and the online processes involved to get council consent.
Thanks again also to all the presenters and to our Blast Management Plan webinar sponsor Orica and General Meeting sponsor ADE Consulting Group.
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