Meeting 2017 Nov 21 Mines Rescue Visit
Our visit to the Mines Rescue Station was one of our best attended and interesting vocational visits for some time and gave us both an instructional history of mines rescue in the state and the current corporate structure of the service as well as a look at the cutting edge three dimensional virtual reality training facilities now installed at the station.
Mines rescue as an essential function originated following major tragedy in the Bellbird Colliery among others following legislation in 1925. The Argenton station is one of the 4 created then and the only one on its original site. The coal industry has developed extensively since then and become safer. As well it has been through a number of boom and bust cycles and as an energy fuel ridden the highs and low created by world economic and technological forces. It was a highly regulated industry with both Commonwealth and State involvement but that all changed in 2002. On 1 January 2002 the Coal Industry Act 2001 was enacted, creating Coal Services and its subsidiary entities to undertake the functions formerly performed by the Joint Coal Board and the NSW Mines Rescue Board. This followed the decision of the Commonwealth that it no longer had a role in the regulation of the coal industry in NSW. Coal Services is owned jointly by the NSW Minerals Council and the CFMEU and the assets, rights and liabilities of the former Joint Coal Board and Mines Rescue Board were transferred to Coal Services in the new organisational structure. We were therefore within a private company that has a wider focus than just the original mines rescue function created and evolved since 1925.
Marketing Manager Belinda explained that Coal Services Pty Ltd has a vision to partner with industry for a safe workplace and health workforce and a mission to provide a Specialised Health and Safety Scheme to employers and workers in the NSW coal mining industry by using our integrated knowledge, expertise and information to: • Support employers to implement and manage safe systems of work to prevent injury and illness • Safeguard workers benefits and employer funds • Help employees return to sustainable employment after injury and illness • Assist industry to monitor the health of its workforce, and • Respond rapidly to emergencies. It is a unique company being half owned by the union with a unique operations structure relying on a collaborative and regulated approach based on 4 pillars of Prevention, Detection, Enforcement and Education.
She explained there are approx. 23,000 workers in the NSW coal industry and 5% of them receive the detailed and extensive hands on training provided by the 4 mines rescue centres. This is realistic training conducted in the labyrinth of mine like tunnels in the galleries below the building, on their mine site and also with the virtual reality facilities now installed at each centre.
Centre Manager Peter conducted the virtual reality experience of an underground mine operation complete with 3D glasses, noises and moving equipment and Belinda walked groups through the tunnels by torchlight. The complete darkness experience reinforcing the incredible atmosphere faced by underground miners.
The original training used to focus on the use of breathing apparatus to retrieve trapped miners in irrespirable atmospheres but is now supplementing this with training miners in self escape techniques, risk assessments and team management. The first few minutes after an accident Peter explained are critical in determining outcomes.
An interesting physical experience visit with the addition of a background as to what goes on underground and how the collaborative approach to management of health, safety and compliance with legislative requirements in one of our important industries occurs.
President Bruce thanked our presenters and left them with the traditional Rotary Wine and also complemented Richard for facilitating this memorable vocational visit.
Mines rescue as an essential function originated following major tragedy in the Bellbird Colliery among others following legislation in 1925. The Argenton station is one of the 4 created then and the only one on its original site. The coal industry has developed extensively since then and become safer. As well it has been through a number of boom and bust cycles and as an energy fuel ridden the highs and low created by world economic and technological forces. It was a highly regulated industry with both Commonwealth and State involvement but that all changed in 2002. On 1 January 2002 the Coal Industry Act 2001 was enacted, creating Coal Services and its subsidiary entities to undertake the functions formerly performed by the Joint Coal Board and the NSW Mines Rescue Board. This followed the decision of the Commonwealth that it no longer had a role in the regulation of the coal industry in NSW. Coal Services is owned jointly by the NSW Minerals Council and the CFMEU and the assets, rights and liabilities of the former Joint Coal Board and Mines Rescue Board were transferred to Coal Services in the new organisational structure. We were therefore within a private company that has a wider focus than just the original mines rescue function created and evolved since 1925.
Marketing Manager Belinda explained that Coal Services Pty Ltd has a vision to partner with industry for a safe workplace and health workforce and a mission to provide a Specialised Health and Safety Scheme to employers and workers in the NSW coal mining industry by using our integrated knowledge, expertise and information to: • Support employers to implement and manage safe systems of work to prevent injury and illness • Safeguard workers benefits and employer funds • Help employees return to sustainable employment after injury and illness • Assist industry to monitor the health of its workforce, and • Respond rapidly to emergencies. It is a unique company being half owned by the union with a unique operations structure relying on a collaborative and regulated approach based on 4 pillars of Prevention, Detection, Enforcement and Education.
She explained there are approx. 23,000 workers in the NSW coal industry and 5% of them receive the detailed and extensive hands on training provided by the 4 mines rescue centres. This is realistic training conducted in the labyrinth of mine like tunnels in the galleries below the building, on their mine site and also with the virtual reality facilities now installed at each centre.
Centre Manager Peter conducted the virtual reality experience of an underground mine operation complete with 3D glasses, noises and moving equipment and Belinda walked groups through the tunnels by torchlight. The complete darkness experience reinforcing the incredible atmosphere faced by underground miners.
The original training used to focus on the use of breathing apparatus to retrieve trapped miners in irrespirable atmospheres but is now supplementing this with training miners in self escape techniques, risk assessments and team management. The first few minutes after an accident Peter explained are critical in determining outcomes.
An interesting physical experience visit with the addition of a background as to what goes on underground and how the collaborative approach to management of health, safety and compliance with legislative requirements in one of our important industries occurs.
President Bruce thanked our presenters and left them with the traditional Rotary Wine and also complemented Richard for facilitating this memorable vocational visit.
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