UNDERGROUND CAPABILITY

Wade Walker differentiates its shaft & underground service offering through knowledge and focus on the inherent challenges of the environment:

Rock fall risks:

• Employees understanding the importance of “safe declarations” and strictly adhering to re-entry procedures
• Employees not interfering with hanging wall support or drilling into any rock except in the presence of knowledgeable mining personnel
• A general level of awareness of the dangers of uncontrolled fall of rock

Hazardous gasses:

• Boilermakers and welders only working to and with the requisite burning permissions
• Employees understanding the dangers associated with ventilation controls and the implications of oxygen deprivation in confined spaces
• Understanding the importance of shaft clearance and dangers associated with exposure to blasting fumes

 

Communication:

• Understanding of role of miners and shift bosses and having a good rapport with those responsible for designated areas underground
• The real value and importance of pre-shift tool box talks that are conducted daily
• Hand-over communication between shifts when working shifts
• Capturing near misses and incidents for immediate action
• Absolute adherence to lock-out discipline
• Having agreed and well communicated energizing procedures

 

Workplace illumination:

• Understanding the positive correlation between good illumination and workmanship
• Understanding the correlation between inadequate illumination and injury potential

 

Working at heights and in shafts:

• The requirement of working only when “hooked up” with full harnesses
• A comprehensive understanding of the fatal potential of objects falling onto those working below, and the importance of control of materials and safety thongs on hand tools
• The challenges of building scaffolding underground on uneven and loose footwalls and adhering to daily “safe for use declarations”
• Identifying the hazards associated with rolling objects when working in declines and only working once the risks have been mitigated
• Implementing the mitigations required when working in the vicinity of falling and flowing water, for example when carrying out terminations on shaft feeder cables

Understanding slinging size and mass restrictions in vertical shafts when sending materials underground

Underground security:

• Taking precautions against the theft of cables for copper; mitigating the risk through secure storage and guarding.
• Guarding and labelling of electrical equipment during construction to alert the unfamiliar to the hazards of electricity

 

Transport logistics:

• Understanding the discipline of shaft schedules, slinging schedules and preparing switchgear for minimal damage when slinging and handling onto underground stations
• Planning materials procurement and underground transfers well in advance to avoid construction delays
• Having the correct labelling of equipment so that it gets to the right destination
• Working closely with shaft operating personnel to plan the work
• Understanding the lifting restrictions underground posed by lack of hanging height, and equipment available