AS1768:2021 Appendix M - Lightning Risk in Mines

So!,,,,,

What makes the Australian Mining and Resources sector so unique, that it is the ONLY industry sector that is specifically singled out to include its own detailed informative Appendix within the Australian Standard AS1768:2021 Lightning Protection?

Is there something so sinister that would warrant such a significant focus that sets out so much detailed guidance, and obligation for dealing with lightning hazards, and mitigation of lightning related risk?

And despite ongoing significant lightning incidents occurring within the construction, industrial, and agricultural sectors, why are these sectors precluded from such similar levels of scrutiny?

What is it that makes the Mining and Resources sector so special?

The new AS1768:2021 Lightning Protection Standard -Appendix M- Lightning Risk in Mines, offers useful insight and guidance into the determination of lightning related hazards, and the implementation of hazard identification and risk mitigation controls and strategies that are applicable to lightning related hazards typical and unique to the mining industry .

In this post I will focus on HME hazards which are covered within Section M3.3- Mobile Plant and M.3.4 Tyre Explosions as recommended be outlined within the operational Lightning Management Plan (LMP) .

Section M3.3 Mobile Plant

This section outlines various scenarios outlined within the sites LMP that will be associated with the operation of Mobile Plant during localized thunderstorms.

In the following examples we will focus the context towards the operation of large rubber tyred equipment, such as a 789 Dump Truck, or similar,

The sites LMP requires detailing of operational and safe procedures :

For operation of HME during localized thunderstorms

• Some operations require HME operators to maintain production operations during lightning red alert, whilst others will require operations to be halted during such periods

For maintaining HME during localized thunderstorms

• Mines are encouraged to install Lightning Protection Systems above park up and other HME maintenance areas, especially when located in close proximity to admin, maintenance and processing operations.
• In any event of a suspected lightning strike to parked up HME, a 350 mtr (radius) exclusion zone must be established around the truck. Think about those structures and productive areas within any potential exclusion zone that would need to be evacuated for minimum 24 hours
• No refuelling shall ever be undertaken during lightning alerts

For the vacating and egress of HME during localized thunderstorms

• Some operators require HME operators to cease productive operations and immediately evacuate their equipment, whilst others will require operators cease operations but then remain within their equipment until the All Clear is notified.
• Some operators have safe extraction procedures for collecting personnel from parked up HME during periods Red Alert, whilst others have not considered the risks by not doing so.
• Lightningman have a unique LightningMat solution to HME safe egress involving a 200 cm x 75cm LightningMat that rolled up can be placed at the bottom of a HME access ladder platform, and which can be deployed in seconds providing a safe evacuation to the safety of an LV

In the event of that lightning strikes HME whilst occupied and unoccupied.

• Some operators have designated tyre fire exclusion areas and specific tyre fire procedures , which include a procedure for personnel egress from any HME suspected to have been struck by lightning.
• Some operations utilize nitrogen filled tyres to mitigate lightning risk, others use a series of freestanding fixed and mobile lightning protection masts offering protected working corridors across selected critical production corridors
• Some operators continue productive operation despite the risks.

To any Mining Manager and/or Health and Safety Management who may be reading this post, there is a good chance that many of these scenarios will affect you.

Are these requirements currently managed?

How are these requirements currently managed?

If any scenarios are not managed, then why not?

Section M3.4 Tyre Explosions

There have been many recent significant incidents involving tyre pyrolisis in recent years. Overseas there have been several fatalities

In Dec 2020 at a Qld Coal Mine , Two (2) operators where injured whilst within the apparent safety of a Crib Room at a Go Line, yet lightning struck one of the trucks resulting in a tyre pyrolisis, and subsequent tyre explosion, where the personnel within the crib room where injured by exposure to the significant pressure wave, and the resulting glass and debris that followed.

What is it about Go lines that orientate a trucks side and rear sections towards sensitive and populated areas given such a known risk, yet we have found that blast and debris zones are not generally catered to within mine planning and design.

Mines are encouraged to install Lightning protection Systems above park up and other HME maintenance areas, especially where located in close proximity to admin, maintenance and processing operations . The risk can also be mitigated through the use of Nitrogen inflated tyres,

Mining operations are encouraged to ensure established procedures are followed whenever there is a suspected of witnessed lightning strike to HME.

In any of the abovementioned scenarios, Lightningman will have more demonstrated experience in these areas and related niche areas than any other specialist organization in Australia! A big call!

Grant Kirkby- Lightningman