Searching for a 'casualty' at Bell Bay Aluminium |
The importance of emergency response training in our plants cannot be minimized. Many of our plants have training exercises that involve outside companies and local emergency management services. It is these companies who are better prepared to respond when an incident occurs. In addition many aluminium plants assist local companies in times of need. Here is a recent story of how one aluminium company participating in a training exercise.
In
Bell Bay Aluminium's decommissioned alumina kiln there's a search for a miner
who's missing.
That
was one of the scenarios Minerals Emergency Response Teams faced at their
annual skills competition on Saturday, October 29, 2016.
Six
teams from Tasmania's main mines and smelters worked through a series of
arduous tests at the state emergency response competition.
As
well as the search and rescue simulation, teams were tested on first aid and
fire fighting skills, safety theory, and a high rope rescue from a crane.
Bell Bay Aluminium's team working with ropes and first aid equipment, to lower a casualty safely to the ground. |
Chairman
of the Minerals Emergency Response committee Ben Maynard said it was the first
time highly realistic simulated emergency situations had been staged at the
Bell Bay industrial precinct.
"A
number of tests put them under pressure and on the spot to test their
ability," Mr Maynard said. "So, underground mining, open pit mining,
smelters, heavy processing plants... they're using gas, electricity, they're
dealing with chemicals.
"There's
a really broad section and diversity in the industry."
Faith
and comradeship strengthened by safety team training and competition
Bell Bay Aluminium's team attempt to rescue a casualty 15 metres up using this EWP scissor lift. |
The
competition included staff from west coast mines at Savage River, Queenstown,
and Rosebery, the underground Cornwall Coal mines near the east coast, and a
minerals processor in Hobart with ready access to ambulance, fire and emergency
services.
As
well as the teams from each Tasmanian mine and smelter, the industry's Mutual
Aid Composite Team also competed.
Bell
Bay Aluminium's competition co-ordinator, Tim Bowden, said the shared
experience of competition increased trust across the industry, as well as
safety skills.
"The
whole concept is about mutual aid, from working with the other teams at other
sites," Mr Bowden said.
Ropes rescue adjudicator Rex Johnson checks one of the teams attempting a rescue from a 15 metre crane. |
"Everybody's got their different procedures and things, but I think it's the camaraderie.
"We've
all got our basic skills, but then when you're put into a team of different
people, you've got to start to organise yourself, get yourself set up and then
get into it."
For
adjudicator Rex Johnson, working at heights with ropes and an EWP scissor lift
was one of the best scenarios to test teams.
He
said each team had 40 minutes to work with ropes and first aid equipment to
lower a casualty safely to the ground from a 15-metre platform.
Steve
Rush from Bluestone Mines Rescue said the annual competition gave his mates a
real opportunity to build on safety in the workplace and strengthen mateship as
well.
Bluestone Mines Rescue team are trying to rescuing a missing miner in this crisis scenario. |
"Part
of what they do is learning new skills, but a lot of it is comradeship,"
Mr Rush said.
"Getting
your faith within each other is a real skills thing, and getting people to have
faith in the site that they work at.
Grange
Resources was the overall winner with Cornwall Coal the runner-up in the 2016
competition.
Congratulations to Bell Bay Aluminium and every company that
participated. Not only are they making their individual workplaces safer, they
are making their state safer. We know next year you will win this competition. Keep up the good work.
Please comment.
1 comment:
Hi,
Good work Bell Bay Aluminium, but I think, is it good for future and most of the people believe on Aluminium composite material because they think this is the best way to keep your work good.
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