The COP should set out the processes followed for the identification and assessment of the significant risks outlined in paragraph 7.1 and how these will be addressed. The COP should address at least the aspects set out in this section unless there is no significant risk associated with that aspect in relation to deployment of SCSRs at the mine:
| 8.1. |
SCSR selection criteria |
| 8.1.1. |
Only types and makes of BWSCSRs approved in terms of SANS 1737, shall be considered for selection by the mine. |
| 8.1.2. |
The criteria for the selection of the SCSRs in use at the mine must be outlined in the COP to demonstrate alignment with the emergency procedures that govern the orderly and safe evacuation of working places affected by a number of hazardous situations as stipulated in the mine’s COP for emergency preparedness and response. |
| 8.1.3. |
The SCSR selection criteria shall be based primarily on the anticipated duration of selected units, be these BWSRSCs or LDSCSRs, as required by the emergency response strategy. The SCSRs anticipated duration shall be based on the layout of escape routes, distance to and between places of safety along these, predicted levels of visibility, any use of locating systems to cater for poor visibility (e.g. lifelines, acoustic directional systems, etc. where these form part of the mine’s escape strategy). In addition, it shall be demonstrated that the distances from the various working places to the respective places of safety and between places of safety along escape routes are within the recorded duration and demonstrated life-saving potential of the selected units as indicated by SANS batch testing and by the results from the mine’s annual functional performance test (refer to MHSA Regulation 16.4). |
| 8.2. |
SCSR logistics management |
| 8.2.1. |
Procedures for personal SCSR allocation to all employees intended to be issued with SCSRs when signing-on or when transferred; |
| 8.2.2. |
Procedures for SCSR lamp-room issuing and collection at the beginning and at the end of each shift respectively; |
| 8.2.3. |
Procedures for SCSR storage during the off-shift periods; |
| 8.2.4. |
Checking of SCSRs and any condition-monitoring by lamp-room staff; |
| 8.2.5. |
Training of employees in the donning and use of SCSRs; |
| 8.2.6. |
Training of the lamp room and relevant staff in the routine inspection of SCSRs, and in handling SCSRs involved in incidents; and |
| 8.2.7. |
SCSR selection and purchasing procedures. |
For each of the above, the COP shall outline clear roles and responsibilities of individuals tasked with executing procedures and overseeing all related functions.
| 8.3. |
Issuing and deployment of SCSRs |
| 8.3.1. |
Outline the process whereby employees required to be issued with SCSRs are identified and issued with a personally assigned SCSR following completion of the requisite training programme. |
| 8.3.2. |
Measures shall be in place at all times to ensure that every SCSR is allocated solely to the designated employee once daily except in cases where defects have been encountered during routine checks or where the assigned unit has been withdrawn for functional performance testing, repairs or maintenance. Annexure C shows a typical sample of SCSR allocation or history record that may be considered in managing the deployment of SCSRs. |
| 8.3.3. |
The mine shall ensure that at least 5 % of the total number of SCSRs in use at each shaft for the above occurrences and for day-visitors to the mine or to sections of the mine where SCSRs are to be deployed. |
| 8.3.4. |
Where the deployment of LDSCSRs forms part of the mine’s escape and rescue procedures, the COP shall outline the criteria for the location, storage and supervision of these units. The location of underground storage caches and changeover stations shall be clearly indicated on the mine’s escape and rescue plan and associated documentation. |
| 8.4. |
Training in the use of BWSCSRs |
The COP shall detail procedures that will ensure that all employees are given adequate and annual (not exceeding 18 months) training in all aspects of the donning and use of SCSRs where this is required. The following aspects should be addressed also in terms of;
| (a) |
Providing a clear understanding of the role of SCSRs in the mine’s escape and rescue strategy and particularly of when the units need to be donned (e.g. emergency alarm conditions, supervisor’s instructions, control room communication from surface, triggering of early warning systems, etc.). |
| (b) |
Ensuring that employees are familiar with the donning and activation procedures even in poor visibility. Training procedures should be based primarily on the SCSR OEM’s operational and training manual. |
| (c) |
Where needed, providing training material that includes experiential training methodology including sufficient physical, cognitive, psychological, and behavioural information beyond the necessary technical information supplied by the OEM and hands-on experience. This will allow employees an adequate understanding of any potential physical and psychological symptoms which they might experience when donning and using SCSRs. |
| (d) |
Exposure to conditions likely to be encountered when SCSRs are being donned, inclusive of elevated breathing resistance levels and of increases in inhaled air temperature. |
| (e) |
Simulation awareness training shall include: |
| (ii) |
"Cold start" procedures, where required (refer to Guidance Note 1 - mandatory); |
| (iii) |
Changeover procedures (where required at underground change-over stations). |
The COP shall detail procedures that will ensure that all visitors are trained in the donning and use of SCSRs in accordance with accepted procedures but may exclude experiential training.
The COP shall stipulate that visitors shall be under direct supervision of a mine official at all time in areas where SCSRs are required.
| 8.5. |
Functional performance testing |
The performance tests shall be conducted by an ATA as required by MHSA Regulation 16.
The COP shall set-out procedures to ensure that regular functional testing of a representative sample of the SCSRs deployed at the mine are carried out in accordance with MHSA Regulation 16.4 shall be done annually:
| (a) |
The representative sample for performance testing shall be at least 1% of each make and type of SCSR in this category. (e.g. the mine has a total of 2 500 SCSRs, say 800 Make A and 1 700 Make B. The 1% sample will comprise at least 8 Type A and 17 Type B). |
| (b) |
The ATA may, at their discretion, and in consultation with the mine, recommend increasing temporarily the test sample size for the make / type / batch of SCSRs which have shown untoward behaviour during the monitoring programme or ongoing conformity assessment testing for that batch. |
The mine shall ensure that the ATA is duly accredited to carry out these tests. Proof of such accreditation shall be kept by the mine.
| 8.6. |
Reporting and recordkeeping |
| 8.6.1. |
Define requirements for the recording of information in terms of MHSA Regulation 16.4 for a minimum period of 24 months. |
| 8.6.2. |
Stipulate procedures for the safe-keeping and use of reports and records issued by the testing authorities appointed in terms of MHSA Regulation 16.4.1 and 16.4.2 to provide the guidance necessary for reviewing and updating the mine’s rescue and escape strategy and location of places of safety associated therewith. |
| 8.6.3. |
Proof of batch test compliance shall be kept on record by the mine for all batches of SCSRs for the lifespan of the units, until all units in a specific batch are withdrawn from service permanently |
| 8.7. |
Maintenance, incident management and disposal of SCSRs |
| 8.7.1. |
Outline measures to ensure that visual inspection and maintenance procedures for SCSRs are in place together with regular lamp-room inspection routines including SCSR leak testing. Refer to Annexure B Guidance Note 2 - Leak testing (mandatory). Any visible defects as identified in the OEM specification that could affect the performance of the SCSR shall lead to the unit being withdrawn from service. |
| 8.7.2. |
Indicate whether the maintenance of SCSRs deployed at the mine shall be done by the OEM or by duly competent mine employees formally accredited by the OEM and operating within technical procedures endorsed or generated by the OEM. |
| 8.7.3. |
Outline precautionary measures and procedures to be followed when SCSRs are accidentally activated or malfunction or following an incident where SCSRs were activated during an emergency. These procedures should be devised to address different levels of incident investigations to be held by the employer jointly with the OEM and testing authority. Procedures shall also outline reporting requirements of these incidents to the DMR. |
| 8.7.4. |
Considering the highly reactive nature of the oxygen-producing chemicals used in SCSRs, the COP shall detail adequate and safe disposal procedures for SCSRs that are withdrawn permanently from deployment. |
| 8.7.5. |
Where SCSRs that are still within their ten-year operating life, are sold to a third party, the mine shall transfer the records relating to the units and respective batches sold to the new owner. Detailed records of such sales or transfers shall be kept by the original owner. |
| 8.7.6. |
SCSRs that have become obsolete, that is units that are older than ten years from their date of manufacture, shall be withdrawn from service forthwith. |
| 8.8. |
Instruction manual on the use of SCSRs |
Relevant provisions of OEM’s instruction and operating manuals for the type of SCSRs purchased are included in relevant standard operating procedures. These shall contain, but shall not be limited to the following:
| (b) |
Rated duration in accordance with SANS 1737 certification. |
| (c) |
Technical information. |
| (d) |
Principles of operation. |
| (e) |
Description of apparatus. |
| (g) |
Estimated service life as stated by the OEM. |
| (i) |
Training requirements and training materials. |
| (j) |
Any basic inspection and maintenance procedures. |
| (k) |
Recommended disposal procedures. |
Gas Regulator Levies Act, 2002
