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June 11th, Wednesday
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
June
12th, Thursday
7:00
am – 8:00 am
8:00
am – 8:15 am
8:15
am – 9:15 am
Divide into groups to discuss Safety, New Innovations and Technology,
Problems and Solutions, and Future Meeting Presentation Topics and
locations.
Summary of discussion will be presented the following morning.
9:15
am – 9:30 am
9:30
am –10:45 am
10:45 am – 11:00 am
11:00 am - 12:00 am
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
1:00
pm – 1:45 pm
1:45
pm – 2:00 pm
2:00
pm –3:00 pm
3:00
pm – 3:15 pm
3:15
pm – 4:00 pm
4:00
pm – 4:45 pm
5:30
pm – 7:00 pm
June 13th, Friday
8:00 am – 9:00 am
-
Group Discussion
- Summary of Group Discussions held on Thursday
9:00
a.m.– 9:15 am
9:15
a.m.– 9:45 am
9:45
am – 10:45 am
10:45 am - 11:00 am
11:00 am – 11:45 am
11:45 am – 12:00 am
12:00 am – 1:00 pm
1:00
pm
Topics
Discussed
Group
Discussions
Group
1
Group
2
Group
3
Group
4
Group
5
Group
6
Group
1 Discussion
Safety:
DCS spec’ed out latest switchgear and
upgraded the PLC to monitor ground faults on the new Sabine 8200 the
equipment raises the safety to a bench mark they never had before. They
also enclosed the Drives in a lockable glass front case which prevent
exposure to ARC flash, the Auxiliary buss also utilizes a Kirk key
system to ensure that the Main line in is not energized by the on board
backup generator on the machine.
Canadian electrical safety is
driven by the Canada Electrical Code Some customers make it mandatory to
have a Kirk key system for Aux. power and every access to high voltage
as electrical inter- locks to insure a double safety.
It was also stated to try to
build a training system that will get the work force more interested and
apply themselves to. Some mines in Canada have started implementing ARC
flash safe work procedure but most feel they are not where they need to
be. It was also mentioned to help with arc flash to make sure
electrical installations are clean, coal and dirt can combust or cause
tracking creating a flash hazard, good housekeeping for electrical
installations should be a part of all PM’s. It is also a good practice
during PM’s to insure all bolts and screws are in place on electrical
gear it is there for structural integrity as well as a barrier for
shock.
It has also been found that
sometimes small rewards for safety go a long ways in helping to promote
safe behaviors. There can be great pride taken in awards given that do
not cost a lot of money.
New Innovations:
DCS has added telemetry to 2 draglines
and are have success in helping end users remotely this should also help
with costs in the long run, DCS has also put out their Version 4
software for Accu-weigh which has created a more accurate and user
friendly system
BE has also produced a remote
monitoring system called MIDAS it lets BE and the customer remotely
access the PLC
Problems and solutions:
People are finding equipment trainers are
not always experienced enough to train this promotes bad habits in
operators who do not know any better, Bucyrus is offering operator
training to aid in this area.
It was also discussed it
might be helpful to video tape operators that way they can be shown what
they are doing and how they can improve and it can also be used as a
refresher tool for those who may have been off that particular piece of
equipment for a while.
Flanders Electric and DCS
have put together a training program were Flanders covers the motors and
generators side and DCS cover the controls side.
Future Meeting Topics:
Innovations in telemetry, Innovations in
Electrical Safety, Fire suppression, also would like to see more classes
like the one done by Rick Scherer of Flander’s Electric
Group
2 Discussion
Safety:
Tom Buto
reminded us that awareness of the hazard present is the best way to
prevent incidents eg: In the hospitality room awareness to be careful
around the hot serving appliances prevented anyone from getting burned
last evening, usually several people get burned in a group like this.
Paul
Doyle – Barrick, they have several programs to increase safety
awareness:
They
have a near-miss reporting program that is a card system that can
be anonymous if the submitter desires.
Team
Leaders get together once
per month to discuss safety issues and assign responsibility to resolve.
30%
of leadership time is to be spent in the field observing the field crews
and, they have passed 202 days without any injuries.
Mark
Perkins suggested that Contractors/Vendors have a responsibility to
report safety concerns while visiting the mine site.
John
said that as a Vendor, they see a lot of differences in the levels of
safety demonstrations on various mine sites; so some mines have a ways
to go to be successful. Bottom line is that only you can prevent injury
to yourself – take responsibility for your own safety.
Many
companies are considering the safety statistics of the Contractor before
allowing them to bid or whether the Contractor will be allowed on site.
Some Contractors have been fired for failure to maintain an acceptable
level of safety.
New Innovation &
Technology
Opportunities exist in today’s material technology where composites and
plastics can be used to replace steel, which saves a lot of heavy
lifting, eg: grating which is traditionally steel can now be replaced
with composites, and haul truck ladders are another example of composite
light weight.
David
from Rio Tinto said that they were crushing their granular for road
building. They feel that is a worthwhile investment, as tires are
expensive and in short supply.
Dave
Gohil suggested that acceptance of remote operation of switchgear would
reduce exposure to arc flash.
Tom
Norwood - AVO said that most companies have not done arc flash studies,
but exposure can be based on the describe task to identify the
application of required flash/arc PPE.
Problems &
Solutions
Where it
is required by law to have external grounds on your welding machines,
ensure that your people are cleaning the attach point and adequately
tightening the connection.
Welding
return lead (ground) connection point must be adequately cleaned and
prepared to ensure all the welding current returns through the intended
path (the leads – not through the electrical ground or bearings, etc).
This is
law in Alberta through CSA W117.2, which became effective in February
2006 with the new WH&S Code. CSA W117.2-06 Safety in Welding Cutting and
Allied Process can be purchased on the internet from CSA Online store or
by phoning 416-747-4000
Control
panels should have copper braid across the hinges to ensure adequate
grounding (this is law in Canada).
Future Meetings
Don
Patterson has modified a dragline powered with an IGBT drive, which will
have been in service one year by the next meeting. Don would be willing
to make a presentation on this dragline.
Group
3 Discussion
Safety:
Martin
Reyes – His maintenance group has gone 202 days without a safety
incident. The previous record was 180 Days
Bob
Tracy cited a Nation Carbon factory in Ontario has gone 25 years
accident free
MSHA
inspections – Martin Reyes related that his company is recommending that
during inspections they only provide documents such as pre shift
inspections, training records and safety inspections. Records such as
equipment logs, work orders, history etc. do not have to be release to
the inspector.
MSHA has
stopped the practice of conferencing citations. One strategy may be to
try and influence the inspector before they write the citation.
Jim
Brockway stated that a company that they do business with requires the
contractors that are active in their data base be included in the
company random drug testing program. If you happen to be on site and
you are selected, you need to submit to a drug screen. Also, if you are
not on site (active in the data base) and your number comes up, you have
24 hours to submit a drug test.
Montie
Wilkie mentioned that they recently modified their lock out tag out
procedure to individual locks with a photo id.
Bob
Tracy states that in some cases it is getting more difficult to obtain
clearance to gain access to the mine sites. The requirements are
getting more stringent. Need to plan well in advance to insure that
the correct amount of time is allotted for the clearance procedure.
New
Innovations and Technology:
Roy
Douglas mentioned that he has had success in the field with the non
contact commutator profile measurement instrument. The future could be
a probe on every commutator with a remote data collection point tied to
software that would notify when service is needed.
Mark
Emerson talked about the P&H AC shovel technology with the DCS800
drives. Also, they are looking at on board power monitors to look at
harmonics, to assist with the RPC function as well as tool for the end
user to gather power quality data.
Martin
Reyes is looking for information from anyone that has used a Fluke IR
camera or similar equipment.
Problems and Solutions:
Martin Reyes is looking for
information on 930E 1 and 2 haul trucks that have 60,000 plus operating
hours. His is
interested in maintenances practices above 60,000 hours.
Also, Martin is having
trouble with their 4100 GUI screens failing prematurely. Mark Emerson
has
recently joined a team within P&H to address this problem. One of
the areas that his group is focusing
on is to
thoroughly test the software as well insuring the documentation is
correct.
Future Meeting Presentations:
Trip right system
on non centurion systems
Wireless
communication – remote monitoring into the office
Mark Emerson
volunteered to do a presentation on Link 1
Spring Creek 2300
upgrade to Centurion system
Future Meeting Locations:
Reno
Calgary
Group
4 Discussion
Safety:
Wheel Chocking.
Shutting down of equipment
when parked, so the equipment can’t slip into gear due to mud in the
transmission.
Arc Flash hazards
Installment of
FR rated coveralls.
We are still
waiting on MSHA to come out with set regulations.
Lestor Fedor an electrician
at Genesee listed some ideas on why they have gone 20 plus years without
a LTA.
200 workers
Great teamwork
Very low
turnover rate
Pride in work
only 3 electricians so he always knows what’s going on.
New Innovations and Technology:
AC equipment is gearing
towards pop and swap, the mine wants to get the machine working as quick
as possible. This transition might have something to do with the
productivity Mine Managers want the mine running at. Mine managers want
the machines working as quickly as they can.
Darren with Bucyrus explained the Access Direct System, it is a wireless
system on shovels that helps with troubleshooting, knowledgeable
technicians can remotely access the brain of the shovel and see what
faults have been taking place and assist with troubleshooting.
Problems and Solutions:
Problem 1. One of
the biggest problems facing the industry is the lack of skilled/
qualified electricians staying with the companies that trained them.
There is an overall lack of pride in ones company with the younger
workers, they are looking for the best paying job out there and will
leave in a moment’s notice for more money and better hours.
Solution 1. Signing
bonus with years of service worked into them.
Challenge new electricians with long term projects.
Problem 2. The lack
of interest of the industry.
Solution 2. Promote
mining at the high school level during career days to give students the
correct perception of the industry. Most people think dirty and unsafe
working conditions and the recent news media hasn’t helped with this
outlook at all. We need to back that up with examples like Genesee with
20 plus years no LTA’s with over 200 workers.
Future Meeting Locations and Topics:
Location: Denver is
great, centrally located and fairly easy travel arrangements.
Topics: 1. MSHA
official to answer and clarify safety questions and concerns.
2. Anything
dealing with more Arc Flash, it’s a hot topic right now.
3. Fill the
two days before WMEA with various classes and training.
Group
5 Discussion
Participants:
Dean Jeffrey Sherritt Coal – Genesee
Mine
Terry Wooten Trapper Mining Inc.
Cody Randall Foundation Coal West
Paul Oldenburg Flanders Electric
Keith MacLean Syncrude Canada
Scott Barrett NAC
Sabine Mine
Tracey Fetter Drives &
Controls Services
Don Davis Sherritt
Coal – Genesee Mine
Ken Scobie Elk Valley
Coal
Jace Rush P7H
MinePro
Mark Johnston Bucyrus
Safety:
Discussed a recent fatality in Edmonton, young worker, two days on the
job was killed in a forklift rollover. The discussion focused on the
need for thorough training for all workers.
Mentioned computer based training programs that contain a practical
component as well as the scholastic portion.
We
stressed that even the companies that you may select to assist
fulfilling your training requirements are having problems recruiting
experienced people and must be closely scrutinized to ensure you are
receiving the expert.
We
discussed the use of the Field Level Risk Assessment in many easy to use
forms. Agreed that the use of a properly prepared punch list helps the
individual cover some points that could be missed if left to memory.
We
discussed different types of FR coverall materials; the group members
had a great deal of experience with many types of materials for specific
applications.
New Innovations and Technology:
Genesee Mine planning an upgrade of the generator field drives on an
8750
Mark
Johnston found this quite ironic that we are ‘upgrading’ this machine;
it was Marion’s first attempt at using the PLC to control the drives.
NAC is starting a motor field exciter replacement project on a 1570W at
Sabine Mine and are reconfiguring of a Marion 8400 to AC in Florida.
DCS mentioned that they recently successfully completed their first AC-IGBT
drive conversion (680W) in California.
Flanders mentioned a project they have been working on to change the
dipper trip to AC.
Problems and Solutions:
One of the biggest concerns that we all seem to have is personnel with
limited experience causing damage to the equipment. Training seems to
be secondary to just getting a warm body to occupy the seat.
Future Meeting Presentations:
May 2009, Bucyrus is planning to discuss the new AC conventional
dragline presently being assembled in Australia.
Another training session for new electricians.
Future Meeting Locations:
Milwaukee, WI.
Ft. McMurray, AB
Group
6 Discussion
Return to Meeting
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