68Coal dust explosion

68 Coal dust explosion

68 Coal dust explosion

(1) In complying with section 14 in relation to coal dust explosion, the mine operator of an underground coal mine must do the following—

(a) limit coal dust generation, including its generation by mining machines, coal crushers and belt conveyors and at belt conveyor transfer points,

(b) suppress, collect and remove airborne coal dust,

(c) limit or remove coal dust accumulation on roadways and other surfaces in mine roadways to ensure the amount of incombustible material contained in roadway dust at the mine is kept at or above the following concentration levels—

(i) for dust in a panel roadway within 200m outbye the last completed line of cut-throughs in the panel—85%,

(ii) for dust in a 200m section of panel roadway within 400m of a longwall face—85%,

(iii) for dust in a return roadway to which subparagraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply—80%,

(iv) for dust in an intake roadway to which subparagraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply—70%,

(d) determine the stone dust or other explosion inhibitor application rate necessary to minimise the risk of a coal dust explosion and apply the rate,

(e) ensure stone dust used—

(i) is of a type or grade that is suitable for its proposed use, and

(ii) is white in colour, and

(iii) does not contain more than 3% by mass of free silica, and

(iv) at least 95% by mass of the stone dust is finer than 250 micrometres, and

(v) at least 60% and not more than 80% of the mass of the stone dust that is finer than 250 micrometres is finer than 75 micrometres,

(f) restrict the propagation of a coal dust explosion so that other areas are not affected,

Example—

Use of explosion barriers.

(g) ensure explosion barriers are installed and maintained—

(i) at roadways within a face zone, other than single entry roadways, that are return roadways or that contain belt conveyors, or