Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997

Part II Dangerous Occurrences which are Reportable in Relation to Mines

Fire or ignition of gas

21.  The ignition, below ground, of any gas (other than gas in a safety lamp) or of any dust.

22.  The accidental ignition of any gas in part of a firedamp drainage system on the surface or in an exhauster house.

23.  The outbreak of any fire below ground.

24.  An incident where any person in consequence of any smoke or any other indication that a fire may have broken out below ground has been caused to leave any place pursuant to either regulation 13(1) of the Coal and Other Mines (Fire and Rescue) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1970(1) or section 79 of the Mines Act (Northern Ireland) 1969(2).

25.  The outbreak of any fire on the surface which endangers the operation of any winding or haulage apparatus installed at a shaft or unwalkable outlet or of any mechanically operated apparatus for producing ventilation below ground.

Escape of gas

26.  Any violent outburst of gas together with coal or other solid matter into the mine workings except when such outburst is caused intentionally.

Failure of plant or equipment

27.  The breakage of any rope, chain, coupling, balance rope, guide rope, suspension gear or other gear used for or in connection with the carrying of persons through any shaft or staple shaft.

28.  The breakage or unintentional uncoupling of any rope, chain, coupling, rope tensioning system or other gear used for or in connection with the transport of persons below ground, or breakage of any belt, rope or other gear used for or in connection with a belt conveyor designated by the mine manager as a man-riding conveyor.

29.  An incident where any conveyance being used for the carriage of persons is overwound; or any conveyance not being so used is overwound and becomes detached from its winding rope; or any conveyance operated by means of the friction of a rope on a winding sheave is brought to rest by the apparatus provided in the headframe of the shaft or in the part of the shaft below the lowest landing for the time being in use, being apparatus provided for bringing the conveyance to rest in the event of its being overwound.

30.  The stoppage of any ventilating apparatus (other than an auxiliary fan) which causes a substantial reduction in ventilation of the mine lasting for a period exceeding 30 minutes, except when for the purpose of planned maintenance.

31.  The collapse of any headframe, winding engine house, fan house or storage bunker.

Breathing apparatus

32.  At any mine an incident where—

(a) breathing apparatus or a smoke helmet or other apparatus serving the same purpose or a self rescuer, while being used, fails to function safely or develops a defect likely to affect its safe working; or

(b) immediately after using and arising out of the use of breathing apparatus or a smoke helmet or other apparatus serving the same purpose or a self-rescuer, any person receives first-aid or medical treatment by reason of his unfitness or suspected unfitness at the mine.

Injury by explosion of blasting material etc.

33.  An incident in which any person suffers an injury (not being a major injury or one reportable under regulation 3(2)) which results from an explosion or discharge of any blasting material or device within the meaning of section 69(4) of the Mines Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 for which he receives first-aid or medical treatment at the mine.

Use of emergency escape apparatus

34.  An incident where any apparatus is used (other than for the purpose of training and practice) which has been provided at the mine in accordance with regulation 4 of the Mines (Emergency Egress) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1975(3) or where persons leave the mine when apparatus and equipment normally used by persons to leave the mine is unavailable.

Inrush of gas or water

35.  Any inrush of noxious or flammable gas from old workings.

36.  Any inrush of water or material which flows when wet from any source.

Insecure tip

37.  Any movement of material or any fire or any other event which indicates that a tip to which Part XI of the Mines Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 applies is, or is likely to become, insecure.

Locomotives

38.  Any incident where an underground locomotive when not used for testing purposes is brought to rest by means other than its safety circuit protective devices or normal service brakes.

Falls of ground

39.  Any fall of ground, not being part of the normal operations at a mine, which results from a failure of an underground support system and prevents persons travelling through the area affected by the fall or which otherwise exposes them to danger.

(1)

S.R. & O. (N.I.) 1970 No. 129

(2)

1969 c. 6 (N.I.)

(3)

S.R. 1975 No. 35