Fire alerts for mobile plant

WorkSafe Victoria recently issued a Fires On Mobile Plant alert, highlighting the need for mine operators and workers to implement safety checks on mobile plant to prevent fires, following a series of fire-related incidents.

Since January 2008, nine incidents involving fire on mobile plant have occurred at Victorian mines — seven in underground mines and two in open-cut mines.

In five cases, fires were caused by oil hoses that failed, and spilled or leaked oil onto hot engine components of the mobile plant.  In one case, accumulated brown coal was ignited, and in three cases, fires were caused by electrical faults.

The investigation of fire incidents concluded that component failure, or a combination of component failures, together with inadequate maintenance, contributed to or caused these fires.

Recommended preventative control measures for vehicle operators and users include:

• properly route, space and attach hoses;
• routinely check hose clamps;
• use fire-resistant antistatic hoses whenever possible;
• install insulation around hot components where reasonably practicable or insulate hoses near hot components;
• upgrade to braided hoses where reasonably practicable;
• routinely wash, clean and check hoses for any abnormalities including rubbing, oily mist or leaks;
• implement intermittent quality checks by manufacturer-authorised service providers as a cross check for internal maintenance services where practicable;
• install fire detection and automatic fire suppression systems on plant deemed by risk assessment to be operating at a higher risk of fire;
• install engine auto-shutdown systems that shut the engine down when the fire-suppression system is discharged on plant fitted with automatic fire-suppression systems;
• routinely check for corrosion around solenoids and their connections;
• replace/check solenoids at set engine hours or as per the manufacturer recommendation;
• install protective devices for solenoids such as fuses whenever possible;
• routinely check electrical wiring, including insulation, for its integrity;
• consider location and rating of protective devices such as fuses;
• ensure wiring control is protected against fire to reduce the likelihood of negative impact on other controls and automated systems; and
• ensure maintenance work order system includes correct selection integrity and testing of the effectiveness of preventative and mitigating control measures.