Q) 

  What are the three main components of a Jackhammer?

R)    Back head, Cylinder, Approved water tube.

Q) What item of equipment do you check before charging up?

R)  Working condition of the waterblast and its distance from the face to be blasted
must  
       not be more than 15m.                            
Q)   How do you treat a misfired hole other than in fuse blasting that is
electrical?
I will short circuit the lead wires remove sufficient tamping by means of an approved
copper scraper, roll the  lead wires into the misfired hole, plug it using a wooden
socket plug and encircle it with chalk or paint and write M.F warn everyone of its
existence and position then reblast at the end of the shift.
Q) What do you do before conducting shaft examination?
R) I will warn the Hoist Driver operating the conveyance in such compartment and
enter the warning in the Drivers’ log book including the time and the Driver shall
countersign. I will clean 2m around the shaft collar post notices/warning signs on all
shaft stations starting from the lowest level going up
  Install the canopy inspect and test the pull bell with the help of an elecrician.
    Everyone must have a safety belt with him.
Q) What do you understand by permissible quantity?
R) It is the maximum allowable concentration of gas by volume measured in parts per
      million.

Q) What is N=1 and N=10?

R) N= represents the number of strokes or pumps one is required to take for that
particular tube.
        N=1 is done when testing exhaust fumes of a diesel mobile unit underground.
        N=10 is done when testing concetration of fumes in the G.A.B where a diesel
engine
        works.

Q) What is the purpose of the two graduations?

R) We read at scale N=1 at the end of the first stroke and at scale N=10 for the rest of
the remaining strokes.

Q) Two pieces of slow igniter cord 1m each are cut from the same reel which one
burns out first?
R) Any of the two can burn out first because slow igniter cord burns fromm 30-45s/m.

Q)What is the V.O.D of an I.E.D. ?

R) Instantaneous

Q) Why is it instantaneous?
R) Because it does not have a delay element.                                           
Q) What is overwinding?
R) Is when the conveyance exceeds the highest landing place for persons before it
comes into contact with any fixed obstacle.

Q) What is underwinding?
R) Is when the conveyance exceeds its lowest landing place for persons before it
comes ito contact with any fixed obstacle.

Q) What do you think of when you hear about slack rope?

R) these are ropes placed in the Head gear or at a point where the winding rope enters
the winding engine room to cut off power to the engine if the rope slacks or sags
excessively.

Q)You have two drilling crews one in the drive and one in the raise, whats your
     holing procedure?

I will do complete re-entry procedure of both ends. Mine both ends until the distance
apart is reduced to 15m. At 15m apart I, will alternate the ends until the distance apart
is reduced to 7.5m. at 7.5m I will stop the drive examine, make safe, log in the
stopped ends book indicating end examined and made safe for holing and barricade
off the end.I will mine the raise until I reach the holing point, stop, examine and make
safe, barricade off the area and log in the Stopped Ends book indicating end examined
and safe for holing. I will mine the drive and hole into the raise and log in the holings
book.

Q) One of your crew members was conducting re-entry in the raise and suddenly
a bad hanging falls and close the brow of the raise, how do you rescue him?

I will operate auxilliary air pipe, send a person to inform the Officials, Ambulance,
collect F.A equipment, rope and a sretcher, ring for the skip. With at least 4 other
competent people I will tie wet mutton cloth on my mouth and nose, test for gases
using a functional Auer gas tester and valid detector tubes. Was and bar down,
examine the boulder for misfires, then collect 14 lbs hammer, safety goggles, leg
guards, gloves. Break the boulder using the hammer while another person removes the
pieces of rock into the wheelbarrow. I will continue testing for gases until the boulder
is completely removed. I will only enter the raise if the concetration of CO is below
the legal limits. Take the casualty to a fresh air zone, render F.A, barricade off the end
and take myself, casualty and the whole rescue party to hosptal for 48hrs observation,
log in the Persons Withdrawal book, Accident Reoprt book, Gas recording book.
Inform the Manager who will in turn inform the I.O.M.& Explosives by the quickest
means available.

Q) Tell the Board the dangers you would encounter in the mine?
 R) Gases, underground fires, methane explosions, bad hangings, support
deterioration, dust, tripping, falling from a height, falling objects, atmosphere
deficient in Oxygen, stagnant water, misfires, noise, concussion, heat stroke, air blast.

Q) Tell me the legal books that you know?

R) Safety complaints, gas tests record book, Drivers’log book, machinery record book
-shaft equipment, stopped ends book, rope record book, appointment book, magazine
register, holings book, Persons withdrawal book, blasting token book, T/way
examination book, accident report book.

Q) What is cumulative effect?

This is the continuous build up of Co into the blood stream forming poison by
continously using the oxygen in the blood without escaping and the reaction is
irreversible.

Q) What do you do if you want to put explosives in the cage?

R) Ring 5-5 to the driver informing him that I want to put explosives in the cage. The
driver will ring 5-5 as acknowledgement that he has understood the signals; I will then
put the explosives in the cage and ring to the required station.

What determines the support of a particular rock?

Support is determined by the nature and class of the rock. Classification at Unki mine
is from class “A” as the most competent ground and “S” is the weakest. So before
supporting an area I will check on the class of the rock I’m dealing with and then use
the appropriate method.

Breakdown happens during transportation of explosives from Kwekwe to

Zvishavane, What do you do?
 I will move my vehicle off the road and place a triangular sign , warn other traffic
and persons against loitering near the explosives. Inform the Local authority, Police
and the I.O.M& Explosives about the breakdown and time.

You are charging holes at a Quarry and a Lion charges at you, whats your
procedure?
I dont expect to see a Lion in such an area because before a mine is established all
game and the other occupants of the area are relocated to other areas eg Diamond
Murowa relocated the Mazvihwa people to Mushandike area in masvingo. But in this
scenario I will prepare a primer, light it up and run to the vehicle and speed off
nothing will happen to the explosives.

Describe self-supporting ground?

It is a competent ground which does not need to be supported and can withstand any
forces.

Name seven methods of support?

Spiling bolts, shortcrete, strapping, drive setts, packs, props, bull nosing, and arches.

How else can you do your pre-test of the Auer gas tester?
By visual checking.

Why is the P.P.M of carbon dioxide very high at 5000ppm?

It is always present where people work.
       It is not poisonous unlike other gases like Co & NxOy.
       It even gives a warning of its presence and is also regarded as a “MINERS
FRIEND”
       Its effects cease upon exposure to fresh air.
                                                                                                       
Can you tell me the charging procedure?
Inspect the holes if they have been drilled to correct length, direction and cleanliness.
       Test the waterblast, check ventilation and count the number of the holes
        Remove all unnecessary people, equipment and barricade off the area.
        Go and order explosives using two chola bags .
        Transport explosives, barriade off end while charging and post a warning
“charging
        in progress”

List five items that you find in an immovable magazine?

Storage licence, Magazine register, Temperature record book, Issuing and receiving
book, Maximum and minimum thermometer, Appointment letter for the Magazine
master, explosives, wooden pallets.

How do you lash the last 10cm of stoff in a sinking shaft?

Blow the the stoff with compressed air to one side , check for misfires and then to the
other side and lash.

What do you know of the gases found underground?

Name of gas, chemical composition , specific gravity, permissible quantity, sources,
properties, effects, methods of detection, method of eradication.

Can you classify the gases according to their effects?

POISONOUS             -    CO, H2S, NH3, HCN, CL2
       INFLAMMABLE      -     CH4, H2
       ASYPHXIATING      -     CO2, CH4, H2
Describe to me the scene in a sinking shaft?
The kibble stops at 4m (mark) when going down and the lashers clear from the centre
to the sidewalls to utilise cover provided the Galloway stage. It is rung down (2-2) by
one of the men at the bottom of the shaft and is loaded below the level of the brim. It
is rung 3-3 to go up slowly and is stopped at the 2m (mark) where its sides and bottom
are cleaned and steadied. It is then rung 1 to go up and on reaching the Galloway
stage it picks up the cross head without undue shock.

How do you remove hang ups in the shaft say above the Galloway stage and below?
When it is above the stage I will raisethe stage to just beneath the hanging and then
bar down on to stage and break it using a hammer. If  it is big hoist it to surface by the
kibble. When it is below I, will use a kibble and bar down from the hanging that is
I,will be on top of the hanging when barring down also protect material in the shaft
with sand bags.

                                                                                        
How do you lower the kibble?
The kibble shall not be lowered directly to the bottom of the shaft but shall be stopped
at least 4m from the bottom of the shaft to give chance to men working below to stand
clear and prevent being struck by the kibble. It only goes down when it is rung 2-2.

Tell us the safety devices that you know and how they work?
Tappered / rigid guides
        Applicable to vertical shafts only , these arrest the conveyance in the event of
        overwinding and underwinding. They are usually made of wood,pine.
        Limit switches
        In both verical and inclined shafts to cut off power automatically to winding
engine in
        case of overwinding and underwinding both in head gears and shaft bottom.
         Slack rope
         Located in the head gear or at a point where the winding rope enters the winding
         engine room to cut off power in case the rope slacks or sags.

What are the uses of a Galloway stage?

-it is used as a platform.
       -supports workman whilst inspecting and barring down the shaft after blasting.
       -serves as a protective shield for sinkers at the bottom of the shaft.
       -the two wire ropes supporting the platform act as guides for a sinking bucket
which
         passes thru the central opening to reach the shaft bottom, another opening at the
end
         of the platform provides clearance for the pipes.
   Have you ever done Jackhammer drilling? Can you relate to the Board how
you did  it?
I will do a complete re-entry procedure from the waiting place, collect tools from the
store room, drilling equipment.
      Water down the face at least 8m back from the face, install props and rock stop
mesh ,
       expose lifters 2.0m back from the face, pump out,examine and plug all sockets.
Put
       old explosives in an old explosives box provided.
      Blow hoses, pour oil into the lubricator, drill support and grout, remove props
and  
      mesh.Drill holes on marked positions 150mm from sockets, lifters to be drilled
first
       and plugged. Ensure water is coming out of the drillsteel.

This drive has been lying idle, You want to lash the muck pile at X , whats your  
       procedure and what causes floor lifting?

Re-entry first use a Pelving machine to get rid of the uplift, lash the area,reconstruct
      the floor and then go and lash. Floor lifting is caused by compressional forces.
                                                                                                           
During shaft exmination you find this pipe leaking in the shaft what do you do?
There is no way  a single pipe can be found hanging in the shaft only a complete
 column should be found in the shaft. Well given the situation , stop the conveyance
by ringing 1 mark position of the buntons, ring 3-3 so that the driver can raise the
       conveyance to surface. At the surface close the valves and post a notice “DO
NOT
       OPEN-MEN WORKING ON PIPES”. Go back and repair the pipe and continue
with
       the examination.
This man wanted to rig the raise and you receive a report that he is hanging in
      the raise like that , tell us how you handle the situation?
                                        

I suspect that this man has been affected by Co. I will operate auxilliary air first then
tram the box just to open up space and allow free circulation of air. Send a person to
inform the officials, ambulance, ring for the skip, first aid box, rope, stretcher.
      Tie wet mutton cloth on my mouth and nose , ½” hose pointing to my face,
functional
      Auer gas tester, valid Co detector tube, secure my safety belt and a rope which is
long
      enough to accommodate the distance to the top and bottom of the raise. I will test
for
      gases before going up the raise, if the concentration permits I, will go up , secure
      myself to an eye bolt then insert the rope thru an eye blot pull it up and tie figure
of
       eight around the chest and arms of the gassed person.
      I will shout to the men at the bottom to pull the rope so as to position the casualty
in
      an upright position, unfasten his safety belt. Instruct men at the bottom to slacken
the
     rope slowly while I, go down guiding the person from rubbing against the side
walls.
     On reaching the collar take him to a fresh air zone, barricade off the area and
render
     first aid, mount him on a stretcher and take him to the skip. Enter the skip after
exchanging appropriate signals with the driver, at the surface report to the Manager   
        who will in turn report the accident to the Inspector of mines and explosives. I
will
         take the casualty, myself, the whole rescue crew to hospital for 48hrs
observation
            and log in the Accident report book, persons withdrawal book, gas recording
           book.
                                                                                                           
How do you distinguish sockets and drill holes?
colour of socket plugs, size of plugs, string on socket plugs.

What is the difference between a cross head and the canopy that you put during
shaft examination?
A cross head is an overhead protection which is installed slightly above the kibble for
the protection of men in shaft sinking and it is also used to preven
t the kibble from swaying in the shaft that is it is fixed and is used during sinking
operations.
       The canopy/hood is an overhead protection used during shaft examination and is
not
       fixed to the conveyance, but it is installed when about to examine the shaft.

What instrument is used to measure dust?

Konimeter or Gravitational sampler.

What instrument is used to measure noise?

 Docimeter

What is dust?
Finely divided solid matter.

What do you suspect could have happened to that guy and how do you rescue
him?

Re-entry, rescue procedure, switch off power, put prohibition sign, operate auxilliary
air get rescue team , tie wet mutton cloth , test for gases, rescue the man using a dry
stick.

This mine was stopped in 1986. You have been hired to resume operations and
you want to hole in an inaccessible drive, whats your procedure?
Get permission from the Inspector of mines, get plans and other legal documents such
as stopped ends book and the survey lay out.
      fence off the area around the shaft, introduce ventilation fan ,headgear, examine
the
      rope and the shaft compartment and replace worn or broken services.
      Install a submersible pump , pump out the water from the shaft construct t/way
and
      test for gases in the drive . Construct a pent house then drill after making safe.
                                                                                                           
Why are I.E.D.s not used in parallel circuits?
They do not have delay elements so when current is supplied to the detonator it passes
from the fuse head straight to the base charge via the initiating compostion. The det
which receives current first will be the first to fire thereby cutting off the basswires
before other dets have received current because of fly rock.
      They cause misfires and poor fragmentation.

How do you mine and support the area?

Conduct a full re-entry procedure, mine waste first and tip into waste pass and mine 
       ore to the ore pass.
You have just initiated an end and on coming back you find one of your guys has
fallen into the winze, how do you rescue him?
Impossible because the winze is barricaded off, or is covered with a platform. Also
the section is cleared of all personnel prior to primary blasting.

A force has been installed but is blowing in the opposite direction, why?
-Wrong direction
      -Wrong connection
      -Broken blades
      -Closed pitch of blades

You have finished mud charging and  you see a box containing explosives , what
do you do?
Impossible because as a blasting licence holder I, will be in possession of the keys to
the magazine and I, will draw sufficient explosives for the task.

Why dont you leave the box containing explosives and blast them together with
the boulders?
To avoid damage to support, walls, noise and concussion, airblast, dust, gases.
Q    How do you ventilate the ends?

                                                                                                                       
Why is it that a force fan is smaller than the exhaust fan?
To avoid build up of foul air in the overlap section.
      To increase the pressure of the air entering the workings.

Too much stretch in a rope can mean two things , what are they?
-Overloading and elongation due to wear.

Why is rust so dangerous on a steel wire rope?

It makes the wires brittle.

If rust is the problem due to to water getting the rope, what can you do to
prevent it?
Lubricate the rope.

Kinks in a rope can cause two things to happen what are they?
It reduces the breaking strengthn of the rope and wear at the point when passing over
the sheave.

How many types of deterioration can you name in a winding rope?

Wear, corrossion, fatigue, surface brittlement, accidental damage.

What will an undersized drum or sheave have on the rope?

Wire breaks in fatigue.

Name three things we look for when examining a sheave wheel?

Chipped or cracked flanges, free rotation, groove for pit marks.
What four things occur when ropes are not lubricated?
-Reduction in breaking force.
      -Corrossion
       -Wires become brittle
      -Wear due to friction

What are the two causes of rope bird caging?

Shock loading and turns induced in the rope.

                                                                                                           
How do you mine and hole the ends below?

Collect a survey lay out, adopt a complete re-entry procedure first starting from the
waiting place to the end. I, will adopt the same procedure as I mine the two ends until
the distance apart is reduced to 15m.
     At 15m apart I, will alternate mining of both ends.
     At 7.5m apart mining operations on one end shall cease, I, will choose one end
which  
     is near the tipping point to reduce lashing distance and continue mining that end
only.
     I will stop the other end examine and make safe –wash and bar down 8m from the
face,  
     lash 2m back from the face to expose lifters, pump out and plug all sockets after
     ascertaining their depth, direction and cleanliness. Remove services to safety,
barricade
      off the end and put a notice “NO ENTRY-END STOPPED”, log in the Stopped
ends
      book indicating end examined and made safe for holing, date, sign and hand over
to
      responsible Mining Official for counter signature in  ink.
     I will proceed to mine from the other end only when the end is within 7.5m of the
other
     working I, will drill a Pilot hole with every round to:-
     -To determine the length of my round
     -To search for the intended destination of holing
     -To detect dangers where I am going to hole.
       Immediately the pilot hole, holes test for gases, go to the other end and remove
       socket plugs and barricade of the end. Reduce length of round to create burden,
hole
      and log in the Holings book indicating that end has holed safely and submit to
Mining
      Official to counter sign.

Name two methods of rope testing?

Non destructive and tensile destructive tests.

What are the precautions when a conveyance is suspended on two ropes?

The ropes shall be of approximately equal size and strength, Adequate arrangements
shall be made to equalise the tension in the ropes, In calculating the breaking force of
the ropes each rope shall be assumed to carry an equal share of the load.

What is cutting and recapping and when is it done?

This is the periodic cutting of a 4m portion of a winding rope of the end attached to
the conveyance and the sample sent to an approved testing station for testing and is
done every 6 months.
If a person gets gassed at a place where re-entry has been done, how can you
know that the re-entry was inefficiently done?
By testing using a functional auer gas tester and valid detector tubes.

                                                                                                                       
When do you discontinue using a winding rope?
When its breaking force determined by a test is less than 0.9 times its breaking force
when new, When a detailed examination of cleaned portions of the rope indicates that
the rope is no longer in a sfae condition, When marked external corrossion appears,
When the extent of internal corrossion indicates that the rope is no longer in a sfe
condition, When it has been used for a period of two years.

What do you suspect could have happened to that guy and how do you rescue
     him?

I suspect gassing or slipping.

Operate auxilliary air ,send a person to inform the official, ambulance, f.a box , rope
and a stretcher.
Go down , stop tramming and barricade off the haulage, secure safety belt, tie wet
mutton cloth on your mouth and nose, tie ½” hose pointing to my face, detector tube
for NxOy and Co2 , functional auer gas tester, lower the chain ladder to reach the
casualty.
Leave at least three men at the collar with a rope while I, go down testing for gases
until I reach the casualty and tie him a figure of eight. I will signal to the man at the
top to pull up the rope while I go up guiding the person from rubbing against the side
walls.
At the collar I, will take the casualty to a fresh air zone, render first aid and barricade
off the area. Mount him on a stretcher and take him to the skip, put in the skip after
exchanging appropriate signals with the driver.
At the surface I, will also report to the Manager who will in turn report to the
Inspector of Mines by the quickest means available. I, will take myself, rescue crew,
and the casualty to hospital for 48hrs observation, log in the accident report book,
persons withdrawal book and gassing report book.

A 4m portion of  a conveyor belt has been cut off accidentally , what measures
will you take?
I will trip the trip switch. Swicth off the breaker and isolate by removing the fuse then
lock the panel and place a prohibition sign. Carry the key with me until repair work is
complete.(remove fuses to prevent any stray currents)

Which type of primer do you use when doing shaft sinking?

Inert inverted wax primer.

                                                                                                                       
What are the advantages of using this primer?
Less hazardous during the pumping out of misfires as the impact sensitive detonator is
at the bottom of the hole below the main charge and is only retrieved when all the
other explosives have been recovered.
      Promotes the formation of short socket thus facilitating the drawing up of the
sketch
      plan of sockets from the previous round.
      Charging up time is reduced as primers do not have to be made up.
       
Which circuit do you use when doing shaft sinking and why?
Parallel circuits because they provide good protection against stray currents and any
forms of extraneous electricity due to to heavy current required to fire the round.
      Misfires will usually not affect the breaking of the round while their detection and
      treatment is greatly assisted by using a wax primered detonator in the bottom of
each
      hole.
You are the M.I.C and you have three lashers, working in a drive and during
routine checks one of them comes to you and tells you that he is no longer feeling
well what will you do?

I, will suspect gassing by NxOy. Call lashers working at the face using flashing
caplamp retrieve them and barricade off the end. Render first aid to the casualty,
mount him on a stretcher and take him to the skip. At the surface inform manager who
will in turn report the accident to the Inspector of mines by the quickest means
available.
Take myself, the whole crew and the rescue party to the hospital for 48hours
observation.
Log in the persons withdrawal book, accident report book and gas-recording book.

Tell us two most dangerous gases that you know ?

carbon monoxide and nitrous fumes

Specify on which human body part do they affect?

carbon monoxide affects the brain and nitrous fumes affects the lung

                                                                                                           

How do you mine the raise to connect with the winze above , the area is
      inaccessible
Collect survey lay out ,sinkers’ sketch for the last round blasted at the winze,
superimpose sinkers’ sketch and the lower level to determine angle of drill hole and
position of sockets.
      Construct a sump in the fresh air area ,put two pumps and construct a good
drainage
      system , flood gates. Install a force fan .Drill a 0.5m hole before holing and grout
in a
 high pressure valve anchor it

How do you hole into an old abandoned stope that is full of water?
Collect survey lay out, log stopped ends book find out if end was examined and made
safe before stopping. Consult Mining Official and discuss the way forward.
      Before I, start mining operations I, will construct a sump in the M.I.A and put two
       pumps in there.
      I will ensure flood gate devices are ready and a good drainage is constructed
leading
     to the sumps. I, will mine the end and measure and book the advance daily
subtracting
      from the stope.
     When I’m left with 7.5m to hole I, will mine using a pilot hole on every round
which
      will be twice the length of my round. When according to my measurement I’m left
      with at least 3.0m to hole I, will drill a 0.5m hole, ream it and grout in a high
pressure
     valve, secure on the face with chains. I, will drill a pilot hole thru that valve while
     standing at a safe angle to prevent any injuries due to sudden rush of water, mud. I,
       will close the flood gates as soon as water is encountered , close off the valve ,
         retrieve the drillsteel, rtest for gases mainly H2S. Join a flexible hose leading to
the
         sump , open the valve to drain the water , test for H2S at the sump and pump out
         the water to surface.
        When the water is drained out mine a 1.5m round ,dont blast and allow the mud
to
        settle, then mine and hole and log in the Holings Book , submit to Mining
Official for
        counter signature in ink.

What are the uses of a pilot hole?

To predict what is in front of the round, For drainage purposes, For ventilation
purposes and to know the intended destination of holing.
                                                                                                                       
You are doing re-entry and you find there is 4% NxOy and 90% Co whats your
conclusion?
I, will not work in such an area because NxOy must be 0.0005% when converted to
percentage and CO must be 0.01% when converted to percentage.
     
       90/100 x 1000 000/1 = 900 000 ppm

       4/100   x 1000 000/1 = 40 000 ppm

How do you know that someone has been gassed by NxOy and CO without
testing?
For Co the person will have a pinkish complexion, bluish colour on the gums and will
often show signs of muscular strain in that strenous but futile attempts were made to
escape the gas. But are usually seen by a Doctor on a dead gassed person.
      For NxOy the person will have saliva and mucus coming out of his mouth and
nose,
      buldging eyes and coughing and spitting blood stained sputum.

What do you test for on a lightning conductor?

Resistance
Q)  What is the maximum resistance of a lightining conductor?
R)   Maximum is 7 ohms and minimum is 4 ohms.

What if its below 4 ohms?

It attracts but it wont discharge current into earth.

What if its above 7 ohms?

It wont attract it will cause sparks.

So how do you remedy the situation?

Add salt to moisturise the ground.

You are developing point (B) on your re-entry you reach point (A) and find
concentration of  gases to be too high, what do you suspect?
 

I, suspect gases trapped in the sub-drive.

                                                                                                                       
Q)  Tell us your procedure if you want to support the area (X) with rock bolts?

Starting from the waiting place I, will do a complete re-entry procedure , operating
waterblast for 15 minutes, testing for gases , checking if fans are running , adequate
ventilation, attachment to cables,obstructions in drains bad hangings and any other
dangerous conditions. Open the danger barricade enter close it behind and put a “No
Entry “ sign. Construct an overhead platform at the raise, wash and bar down at at the
flat end lash the footwall 2m back from the face to explose lifters and also expose the
footwall to search for sockets and misfires on area to be supported. Pump out
,examine and plug all sockets with wooden plugs, bring mesh wire and install
temporary support by means of props, mark position of holes to be drilled 150mm
away from sockets. Use a starter drillsteel when collaring. Leave the area undisturbed
for 24hrs to allow cement to cure then remove support equipment to a safe place.

Why do you say Co is the most dangerous gas found underground?

It kills without warning, It has a cummulative effect, It cannot be detected by human
senses i.e it is odourless, colourless and tasteless.

You have been hired to blast in a built up area tell us your procedure?
I, will avail all the necessary details on what I intend to do to the Inspector of Mines.
      I, will the given conditions by the Inspector such as:-
 manner in and times at which such blasting operations may be carried out.
 maximum quantity of explosives that may be used in any charge.
 the number of charges to be exploded at one time.
 the interval of time that shall elapse between explosions.

I will fence off the area and display warning signs potraying my blasting schedule.
I will drill holes and plug them ,with the help of the Police go , clear and place guards
with red flags at all avenues of approach. Instructs guards not to allow anyone to pass
thru them, not to leave the guard points until I come back to relieve them of their
duties and to  count the number the of shots exploded.
I, will inform the Local Authority, neighbourhood of what I, intend to do.
I will charge using I.E.D and detonating relays to provide delay intervals along the
line of propagation in conjuction with detonating fuse which shall extend the full
depth of each hole for for initiating the charge.
I, will cover the charges with steel, rubber mats first and sand bags on top to prevent
flying debris, sound the siren for three minutes prior to firing. I, will fire using a shot
exploder from a safe place. After firing I, will remove the key and carry it myself.

                                                                                                                       
Why did we choose a canary bird for testing Co and not any other animal?
 It breathes faster 
 It has a low blood volume
 It is very active

What must be there for an explosion to take place?

the gas must be produced
there must be sufficient oxygen
the gas must reach its explosive range
the gas must be ignited by a spark

What causes static electricity during pneumatic charging?

It is generated by the friction between the charging hose and the Anfex.
Draw a sketch of an elbow flue and show the interior and exterior and why it is
shaped like that?
It is shaped like that to prevent the inadvertent pushing in foreign material thru them
and also to prevent flooding of the Magazine.
Draw a sketch plan of an immovable magazine and all features around it?

What is the difference between a 6d and a 8d detonator?

an 8d detonator has a larger base charge than a 6d detonator
an 8d det has got 0.78g PETN while a 6d det contains 0.35g PETN.
an 8d det is used for initiating the less sensitive Anfex while a 6d det is used for
initiating N.G based explosives.

                                                                                                                       
Q)  What is -?

Stink Damp    -------hydrogen sulphide

White Damp   -------carbon monoxide
Black Damp    -------carbon dioxide
Fire Damp       -------methane
After damp      ------Atmosphere after a methane explosion containing CO &CO2
Tell me three possible ways of initiating an effective blast using the items below?

Power cord                     shot exploder

matches                           baswires
igniter cord                      anstart
anfex                                6d electric det
electric starter                  6d durafuse
R)          (1)                                 (2)                               (3)
anfex                              anfex                           anfex
anstart                            anstart                         anstart
6d durafuse                    6d electric det              6d durafuse
igniter cord                     baswires                      igniter cord
electric starter                 shot exploder               matches

What is the difference between a safety fuse and a detonating fuse?

safety fuse contains gunpowder while detonating fuse contains PETN
 safety fuse burns while detonating fuse explodes
 safety fuse is a low explosive while a detonating fuse is a high explosive.

What is burning speed?

Speed of the igniter cord flame measured in metres per second.

What is sequential firing?

It means blast holes will detonate in the planned order from point of initiation.

What is interconnector spacing?

 The length of igniter cord between any two consecutive fuses.

What is burning front ?

Distance of the burning igniter cord ahead of the exploding shots.

Your two drives have holed on different elevations, what is wrong?

Drillers not following gradeline 
lashers not exposing lifters

                                                                                                                       
You are the miner in charge and your mine asks to deepen a shaft which is
currently in use , what will you do?
Firstly I, will introduce ventilation, pump out all the water , put required services ie
pent houses, ladderways.Get the the survey lay out and the sinkers’ sketch of the last
round blasted at the shaft. Lash or pump out the mud then match sockets on the face
with those on the sketch plan and pump them, mark position of  the holes to be drilled
and show the new holes on the sinkers’ sketch.

One long ring and you are told its a man fallen into the shaft which is 2km deep,
how do you rescue the guy?
Accident in the shaft, stop all winding operations in all compartments, communicate
with all shaft stations if they had seen anything falling past their level station. After
ascertaining the position of the man thats when I, will move the conveyance to nearest
upper level and leave it there.
     I, will proceed down searching for the men using the ladderway . I, will
communicate with my assistance at the top level that I, have found the man and what I
am going to do next. I, will tie the man a figure of eight and arrange my assistants in
series in the ladderway ie every platform must have a man to direct the injured thru
the man hole until he reaches the level where the conveyance is, render first aid and
mount him on a stretcher .Put him in the conveyance after exchanging appropriate
signals with the driver. I, will ring to surface and without delay take the casualty to
hospital , inform the Manager who will in turn inform the Inspector of Mines and log
in the accident report book.

What is the difference between a water spray and a waterblast?

A waterblast is used in blasted ends and uses a combination of water and compressed
air, while a water spray is used at shaft loading boxes, scraper gullies and at grizzlies
and it uses water only.

What is oxygen imbalance?

An atmosphere deficient in oxygen.

What is sympathetic detonation?

Is caused by a shock wave from an adjacent hole after detonation.

What is premature detonation?

Any detonation caused stray currents, negligence, static electricity before primary
blasting in the actual way.

What is the purpose of a shunt wire?

It helps to neutralise the potential difference in case of stray currents thus preventing
premature detonation to take place.

                                                                                                                      
You want to bar down in a shrinkage stope, what is your procedure?

     Conduct re-entry from the waiting place, secure safety belt attached to lifeline,
barricade tramming level and post “No entry” signs.

Support the area which goes five years without support?

    Adopt a full re-entry procedure from the waiting place , thru the gulley , making
safe up to the face and support the area by means of mat packs placed at 10m grid
square apart.

What do you think happened to that LHD?

misjudgement by the driver
faulty brakes
driver might have fallen asleep
gassed by noxious gases from the LHD
How do you prevent it from falling?
Construct a stop block made of concrete
put a boom
put string or reflective barricades
delegate a person to direct the driver

What is the difference between Anfex and Anfo?

     Anfex is pre-packed factory made while Anfo is mixed on site

     Anfex has a long shelf life while Anfo must be used within 48hrs
     Anfex is stored at the magazine while A,N is stored at the stores and is not
regarded as an explosive until it is mixed with fuel.

This raise has been abandoned for three years without services. Tell me your
procedure until you reclaim the chain ladder?

 Advance with services testing for gases , barring down until you reach the muck pile,
water down thoroughly test for gases. Take the lashing crew with their mouths and
nose tied with mutton cloth lash the muck with continual testing of gases and watering
down until there is an opening . Remove all labour force to a place of safety; leave the
auxilliary air blowing barricade with a danger sign “No entry” for 4 hours.
When you come back tomorrow adopt the same procedure until you get to the bottom
of the raise. Proceed with services and leave 1”pipe of compressed air and waterblast
pointing into the raise, leave them for 4hrs.
The following day adopt the same re-entry procedure and continue with services blow
in a lot of fresh air , shake the chain ladder ,secure safety belt , put 2kg hammer under
your belt ,fibre rope, functional auer gas tester, valid detector tubes, climb ladder with
1½”hose blowing your face, testing for gases at regular intervals until you reach the
anchorage of the ladder.
Install a temporary platform, install eye bolt at the top of  the ladder anchorage. Put a
rope thru an eye bolt (2 turns) and tie the ladder , climb down and tie the rope to a safe
anchorage tightly. Climb up and unhook the ladder from the pins. Dismantle the
platform and climb down. Untie the bottom end of the rope from the anchorage and
let it down.

You are conducting re-entry in a raise and on your way up your assistant tells
you that there is bad hanging about 5m from the brow of the raise which you did
not see, what will you do?
I will not allow my assistant to stand directly below the raise and I will sound the
sidewalls on my way up so there won’t be any bad hanging.

How many types of misfires do you pump out?

when you have charged using a 6d or 8d durafuse

when you have charged using an inert inverted wax primer and NONELS.
                                                                                                                       
Q) List four factors affecting the rate at which different persons respond to
gassing?
 -rate of doing work
 individual physiology
 duration of the exposure
 concentration of the gas

Q) What are the dangers are you likely to encounter given the situation below?

R) gases, dust, mud rush, bad hangings, misfires, noise, fumes, falling objects, falling
from a height.

Q) What went wrong on this situation?

R) Before carrying out sliping operations at the face, there must be a box or  an
excavation of suitable size capable of accommodating the greatest amount of rock
broken in any one blast during sliping operations.

Q) So, how do you mine the area safely?

R) Adopt a full re-entry procedure from the waiting place, withdraw the LHD,
barricade off with a “No Entry” sign. Proceed to the sliping face.
With my competent person I, will proceed towards the main danger barricade, open
it , enter and close it behind me and put a “NO ENTRY” sign. I, will open the main
compressed air valve to operate auxilliary air and check time go back to a fresh air
zone.
After the expiry of 15 minutes or more I, will proceed towards the main danger
barricade , open, enter and close it behind me and put a “NO ENTRY” sign.
On the travelling way I, will test for gases and make sure fans are running and
ventilation is adequate unexpected holings along the drive,
attachment to cables and pipes blockages in drains visually check for bad hangings
and any other dangerous conditions

Adopt the same procedure until I, reach the danger barricade at the entrance to the
end. I, will open the barricade, enter and close it behind me and put a “No Entry” sign,
test for gases until I, reach the waterblast control valve and close it. Proceed to test the
winch and the kibble. Secure my safety belt, test for gases at the collar and water
down the whole area around the collar, clear off any dirty or tools around the collar
for a distance of  at least 2 metres- shake the chain ladder with a grizzly hook.
I will leave my competent at the collar to warn people and control valves.
Collect under my belt, functional auer gas tester and valid detector tubes in my top
pocket
I will descend securing myself and testing for gases, sounding the sidewalls at regular
intervals.
Upon reaching at about 8 metres from the bottom, I will tell my competent person to
lower a water hose and water down the whole area, test for gases, dressing down the
areas I can reach.
Upon reaching the face , water down the muck pile thoroughly to dissolve NxOy, call
for a pinch bar and bar down, visually check for misfires and lower an air pump
(chipfokopfoko). Pump out all the water and remove pump to safety, barricade the
end.
At the bottom proceed making safe operate waterblast for 15 minutes while Iam at a
safe place. After 15 minutes I, will re-enter testing for gases, close waterblast connect
hose to the water outlet, wash and bar down towards the muckpile testing for gases at
regular intervals adopt the same procedure going backwards for a distance of at least 8
metres.
Bring the LHD to lash while while I continue testing for gases and my mouth and
nose will be tied with a mutton cloth with auxiliary air slightly turned on. As soon as
an opening is made I, will withdraw the LHD to safety leave the auxiliary air
operating for 4 hrs.
After 4 hrs re-enter testing for gases, prepare a charge and tie it on a bomb stick and
push it up the blockage, light it up to dislodge the hang up. Remove people to safety,
place guards, sound the siren. Re-enter after stipulated re-entry interval, bring LHD
and lash until I can see up the reamed hole, erect a bulkhead (overhead) platform.
Continue lashing and as soon as an opening is made towards the tunnel I, will retrieve
the LHD to safety and barricade off the area for 4 hours. After 4 hrs re-enter the area.
Lash the ground , expose lifters 2 metres from the face, pump out the misfire and plug
it with a wooden socket plug.

                                                                                                                      
Q) Draw me an open and closed chevron blasting pattern in open cast mining.
When would you use each of these patterns?

Open chevron pattern

muckpile- scattered over a long distance, not compact.

Closed chevron pattern

muckpile- deposited in a compact manner over a short distance.

Q) Describe a draeger gas detector?

USE: is used to determine the amount of gas present in the air in ppm.

PRINCIPLE: a bellow is used to suck air thru the detector tube broken on both
ends.   
                     Different tubes are used for different gases.
HOW TO USE:
Test the bellows by inserting an unbroken tube into squeezed bellows. The bellows
should remain deflated.
Break off both ends of the detector tube and insert the tube with the arrow on the
detector tube facing the bellows. 
For 1 pump read on N=1 scale
for 10 pumps read on N=10 scale

                                                                                                                      
Q) what is a scruber or a water box?
R) This is a device fitted to the exhaust system of an I.C.E to coll down exhaust
gases, remove sparks and reduce the concentration of toxic gases prior to the gases
being expelled to the atmosphere.

Q) Apart from using a scruber, how else can you deal with ICE exhaust gases?
R) by using turbo-charged ICE engines with an inter cooler.
      By use of a catalytic converter
       by use of a jet flow fume diluter

Q) Classify the gases found u/g on their solubility?

R) extremely soluble: ammonia
      very soluble:         nitrious fumes, hydrogen sulphide
       soluble:                carbon dioxide
      slightly soluble:     carbon monoxide, methane

Q) Why do we use slow burning I.C in development?

R) water resistant
      has a wire to avoid cut off of I.C hence less chance to set off premature lighting of
      other fuses due to a steady flame.
      Slow therefore good for sequential firing.

Q) You have cleaned your socket clean and there are no misfires inside. Can you
drill into the socket?
R) No, especially if the explosives are NG based because the NG being waterproof,
will smear around the socket and should they be drilled into might explode due to
adiabatic compression of entrapped air gases.

Q) You want to destroy a large quantity of weeping explosives, what is your

procedure?

 Inform - inspector of explosives

 local authority
 police
 neighbours
 methods
            methods-  detonating
                             burning (demerits) change of wind
                             exploding instead of burning
                             can scatter unexploded explosives everywhere
            site-          old slimes dump
                              quarry or sand velds

                                                                                                                                   
Q) Are all types of ropes recapped, if not how do you examine such ropes?
R) Ropes on a Coupe winder do not allow for recapping. These are tested at 6 months
intervals by Non destructive means with approved equipment.

Q) carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are produced from the same sources,
where do they differ in their mode of production?
R) carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion, carbon dioxide is a
product of complete combustion.

Q) What happens physiologically when a person inhales nitrous fumes?

R) The lungs are moist so when nitrous fumes are inhaled, they react with this
moisture to produce an acidic solution. This acidic solution acts on the lung tissue
to produce blasters which will with time burst and drown the lungs.

Q)  You are in charge of 2 development ends, two workers are lashing at one end
and a LHD lashing at the other . One of  your guys collapses what do you suspect
is the cause and what is your procedure?

I would suspect that the guy has been affected by fumes from the LHD so I would
stop the LHD from operating call persons doing handlashing at face , open auxiliary
air and carry gassed person to fresh air base and barricade off the end. Admit myself ,
the whole and gassed person to hospital for 48 hrs inform mining official who will in
turn report the accident to the Inspector, log in the persons withdrawal book, gas
recording book and accident report book.

Q) During re-entry on the drilling shift how can you locate misfires using the
sketch?
R) The position of chain ladders can be used and also a reference hole drilled on side
wall of the shaft.

Q)Why are nitrous fumes not a miners’friend like carbon dioxide?

R) Although these gases give warning (smell, colour and irritation) if one is taken to
fresh air he will feel okay but has a delayed effect, unlike carbon dioxide whose
effects cease upon exposure to fresh air.

Q) How do you ventilate the two gullies when you only have 2x30”fans?

Q) What is the safest distance one is allowed to fall down an excavation?

R) Length of my safety belt.
You have been assigned to blast the boulders in 2x/c and your airflow
is indicated by those arrows, tell me where you place your guards
and how you are going to do the secondary blasting

I will go and order explosives from the distribution point together with
my assistant and log in the Magazine register.  I will also collect old
explosives from the old explosives boxes. My assistant will move in front
carrying fracture explosives whilst I will be following behind with
detonators/capped fuses. On reaching the x/cut I will enter and close the
barricade behind me and put a “NO ENTRY –CHARGING IN
PROGRESS” sign.
After charging I will go and evacuate people working in the Main Return
Airway and barricade off the area with a “NO ENTRY – SECONDARY
BLASTING IN PROGRESS sign at the first T/Way to the haulage. I will
take them clearing the section and placing guards at the points shown on
the diagram. I will instruct the guards not to allow anyone to pass thru
them , count the number of shots exploded and not to leave the guard
points until I myself have relieved them off their duties . I will go to the
waiting place and do a head count of my men. I will sound the siren and
light up from a safe place (the igniter cord will be lengthened to give
myself enough time to reach a place safety before the first shots go off)
After the stipulated re-entry interval , I will proceed towards the x/cut
testing for gases, checking for bad hangings and adequate ventilation .
I will wash and bar down the whole area , check for any unexploded
explosives, close the siren after making safe, remove the barricades and
guards and resume operations.

You want to apply shortcrete in the drive and one of your guys
discovers an electric misfire at the face, what will you do?

I don’t expect to see a misfire at the face now.

According to the regulations the blasting licence examines and makes
safe to ascertain that there are no misfires remaining, then barricade off
the end and put a “NO ENTRY-END STOPPED”sign. Log in the stopped
ends book and submit it to the Mining Official for countersignature in
ink.
But given the above situation , I will short circuit the lead wires, roll them
back into the hole and plug off with a wooden socket plug, encircle it
with chalk and write “MF” warn everyone of its existence and position
and  barricade off the end.
Report to the Mining Official (NB you cannot blast a rock in-situ during
the shift) So I will extend the services to within 15metres of the face, test
the waterblast to see if it hits the face. Extract sufficient tamping by
means of an approved copper scraper wire, insert a fresh primer in contact
with the charge , tamp it , remove the shortcreting machine to safe place
and blast at primary blasting time.
                                                                                  

FROM SURFACE TO UNDERGROUND WAITING PLACE

On arrival at the mine security gate I, will identify myself by producing my I.D card
and proceed to the change house to change into my P.P.E i.e gumboots, overalls, hard
hat, caplamp belt, gloves. At the Checkers’ Office I, will collect the blasting token
book and check the time blasting was carried out with reference to the clock on the
shaft bank I, will set my watch according to official time, work out to see if 4hrs set
aside for dust and fumes to dissipate have elapsed. Collect a functional Auer gas
tester, valid detector tubes for different gases ,collect my caplamp check if its not
leaking, check safety clothing on my men at the checkers’ office and proceed
underground. I will leave the rest of the crew at the shaft station and take one
competent person.
I will enter the skip after the bellmen has exchanged appropriate signals with the
driver.
From the shaft station I, will proceed towards the waiting place doing the following :-

Testing for gases

Checking if fans are running & ventilation is adequate
Visually checking for bad hangings
Checking for any other dangerous conditions

I, will adopt the same procedure until I reach the danger barricade just before the
waiting place. I, will open the barricade, enter , close it behind me and put a “NO
ENTRY” sign . At the waiting place I, will :-

Test for gases

make sure there is adequate ventilation and the place is properly supported & lighted
check for bad hangings cracks cracks and any loose rock
check if notices are posted up at conspicous places where they can be clearly seen and
read by every person.
check for any other dangerous conditions and make sure the area is safe before calling
my crew.

After making safe I, will send for my crew and do the waiting place procedures :-

do a head count of my men and mark the register

re-check the condition and availability of their safety clothing
check to see if men are fit and sober
give a safety talk
discuss & identify problems faced in the previous shift & correct them.
allocate duties for the day’s work.
I, will collect tools from the store room, leave the rest of the crew at the waiting place
with a team leader to man the waiting place and instruct him not to allow anyone to
leave the waiting place until I, come back or send for them.
 
FLAT END   

Before I, leave the waiting place I, will delegate one competent person to man the
waiting place until I, come back. I, will collect the following tools from the store
room:-
 
two pinch bars fitted with rubber gaskets
Approved blow pipe
half inch hose
functional auer gas tester and valid detector tubes for different gases.

With my competent person I, will proceed towards the main danger barricade, open
it , enter and close it behind me and put a “NO ENTRY” sign. I, will open the main
compressed air valve to operate the waterblast and check time, retreat to a safe place.
After the expiry of 15 minutes or more I, will proceed towards the main danger
barricade , open, enter and close it behind me and put a “NO ENTRY” sign.
On the travelling way I, will:-

test for gases

make sure fans are running and ventilation is adequate
unexpected holings along the drive
attachment to cables and pipes
blockages in drains
visually check for bad hangings and any other dangerous conditions

Adopt the same procedure until I, reach the danger barricade at the entrance to the
blasted end. I, will open the barricade, enter and close it behind me and put a “No
Entry” sign, test for gases until I, reach the waterblast control valve and close it.
Instruct my competent person to connect the hose to the water outlet. With his aid I,
will wash and bar down towards the face testing for gases at regular intervals. At the
face I, will check for misfires, water down the muck pile thoroughly to dissolve NxOy
trapped in the muck pile. I, will water down until clean water runs from the bottom of
the muck pile. I will wash and bar down at least 8 metres from the face.
I, will check the tipping barricade and send for the remaining crew and give them
instructions:-

to be on the look out for misfires

to continously bar down as the face is exposed
to continously water down the muck pile to allay dust and soluble gases
to avoid undercutting the muckpile
to do house keeping and clean fly rock first before they start lashing
to open up the drain as they lash
to report any dangerous conditions encountered immediately
Before I, move on I, will tell them where they would find me in case of emergency
      
RAISE .
 
With my competent person I, will collect the following tools from the store room:-
two pinch bars fitted with rubber gaskets       
safety belt
2kg hammer
half inch hose
3m grizzley hook
hemp rope
functional auer gas tester and valid detector tubes

Before I, leave the waiting place I, will delegate one competent person to man the
waiting place until I, come back.
 With my competent person I, will proceed towards the main danger barricade, open it
, enter and close it behind me and put a “NO ENTRY” sign. I, will open the main
compressed air valve to operate the waterblast and auxilliary air and check time go
back to a fresh air zone.
After the expiry of 15 minutes or more I, will proceed towards the main danger
barricade , open, enter and close it behind me and put a “NO ENTRY” sign.
On the travelling way I, will:-

test for gases

make sure fans are running and ventilation is adequate
unexpected holings along the drive
attachment to cables and pipes
blockages in drains
visually check for bad hangings and any other dangerous conditions

Adopt the same procedure until I, reach the danger barricade at the entrance to the
end. I, will open the barricade, enter and close it behind me and put a “No Entry” sign,
test for gases until I, reach the waterblast control valve and close it. Water down the
whole area around the bottom of the raise and bar down. Then with a grizzely hook
and standing clear off the raise with the aid of  my competent person , shake the chain
ladder to:-

to dislodge any rock which might have been caught up

make sure the chain ladder is still secure and intact

Take Co detector tube and auer gas tester put it in my top pocket, put  a rope on my
shoulder, secure my safety belt, put 2kg hammer under my belt, tie the half inch hose
pointing my face and slightly turn it on to blow fresh air to my face.
Before climbing up I, will give specific instructions to my competent person:-
not to allow anyone to pass thru the raise
to listen to my instructions and stand clear off the raise.
I, will climb up the chain ladder, secure myself to a secure anchorage, test for gases,
sound for loose ground with hammer at regular intervals until I, reach the position of
the safety platform pinholes. I will secure myself, drop the other end of the hemp rope
and request a water hose and wash the platform pin holes, request for “L” pins and
install them, pull up the gum planks and round poles one at a time and rig the safety
platform.

I, will climb on the safety secure myself to a secure anchorage, test for gases, sound
for loose ground, wash clean drilling platform pin holes, request for “L” pins and
install them, pull up gum planks and round poles one at a time and rig the drilling
platform.

I, will climb on the drilling platform, secure myself to a secure anchorage:-

test for gases, visually check for misfires
water down the whole area, pull up pinch bar and bar down the whole area
pull up blow pipe and pump all sockets clean
ring all sockets with yellow paint

After making safe I, will call one of my drilling crew members. First he must secure
himself to any eye bolt with a safety belt. With his aid I, will pull up the chain ladder
and install it to its new position.
I will pull up brush and paint and mark the face profile
mark drill holes 150mm parallel to sockets and mark the next drilling platform pin
holes.

I, will give instructions to my drilling crew:-

keep secured to eye bolts

drill on marked positions
follow direction lines
dress face before drilling
use a starter drillsteel when collaring
do not practice dry collaring
first drill platform pin holes for next round
report any dangerous condition encountered immediately

I, will tell them my next destination before I move , climb down and group socket
plugs below raise to indicate number of sockets.

WINZE
Collect sinkers’ sketch from the Mining Official
With a competent person, I will collect the following tools from the store room:-
two pinch bars fitted with rubber gaskets       
safety belt
2kg hammer
half inch hose
3m grizzley hook
hemp rope
functional auer gas tester and valid detector tubes

Before I, leave the waiting place I, will delegate one competent person to man the
waiting place until I, come back.
 With a competent person I, will proceed towards the main danger barricade, open it ,
enter and close it behind me and put a “NO ENTRY” sign. I, will open the main
compressed air valve to operate the waterblast and auxilliary air and check time go
back to a fresh air zone.
After the expiry of 15 minutes or more I, will proceed towards the main danger
barricade , open, enter and close it behind me and put a “NO ENTRY” sign.
On the travelling way I, will:-
test for gases
make sure fans are running and ventilation is adequate
unexpected holings along the drive
attachment to cables and pipes
blockages in drains
visually check for bad hangings and any other dangerous conditions

Adopt the same procedure until I, reach the danger barricade at the entrance to the
end. I, will open the barricade, enter and close it behind me and put a “No Entry” sign,
test for gases until I, reach the waterblast control valve and close it. Proceed to test the
winch and the kibble. Secure my safety belt, test for gases at the collar and water
down the whole area around the collar, clear off any dirty or tools around the collar
for a distance of  at least 2 metres- shake the chain ladder with a grizzley hook.
I will leave my competent at the collar to warn people and control valves.
Collect under my belt, functional auer gas tester and valid detector tubes in my top
pocket
I will descend securing myself and testing for gases, sounding the sidewalls at regular
intervals. Upon reaching at about 8 metres from the bottom, I will tell my competent
person to lower a water hose and water down the whole area, test for gases, dressing
down the areas I can reach.
Upon reaching the face , water down the muck pile thoroughly to dissolve NxOy, call
for a pinch bar and bar down, visually check for misfires.
After making safe I will call my lashing crew. After lashing I will call for a blow pipe
and with the use of a sinkers’ sketch, pump all sockets. Mark thereon the position of
misfired holes endorse and date it in ink and pass on to the miner in charge of drilling
operations.

SHAFT
On arrival at the mine security gate I, will identify myself by producing my I.D card
and proceed to the change house to change into my P.P.E i.e gumboots, overalls, hard
hat, caplamp belt, gloves. At the Checkers’ Office I, will collect the blasting token
book and check the time blasting was carried out with reference to the clock on the
shaft bank I, will set my watch according to official time, work out to see if 4hrs set
aside for dust and fumes to dissipate have elapsed.  I will proceed to the Mining
Official’s office to collect a sinkers’ sketch and Collect a functional Auer gas tester,
valid detector tubes for different gases ,collect my caplamp check if its not leaking,
check safety clothing on my men at the checkers’ office and proceed underground. I
will leave the rest of the crew at the shaft station and take one competent person.
I will enter the skip after the bellmen has exchanged appropriate signals with the
driver.
From the shaft station I, will proceed towards the waiting place doing the following :-

testing for gases

checking if fans are running & ventilation is adequate
visually checking for bad hangings
checking for any other dangerous conditions

I, will adopt the same procedure until I reach the danger barricade just before the
waiting place. I, will open the barricade, enter , close it behind me and put a “NO
ENTRY” sign . At the waiting place I, will test for gases

make sure there is adequate ventilation and the place is properly supported & lighted
check for bad hangings cracks cracks and any loose rock
check if notices are posted up at conspicous places where they can be clearly seen and
read by every person.
check for any other dangerous conditions and make sure the area is safe before calling
my crew.

After making safe I, will send for my crew and do the waiting place procedures :-

do a head count of my men and mark the register

re-check the condition and availability of their safety clothing
check to see if men are fit and sober
give a safety talk
discuss & identify problems faced in the previous shift & correct them.
allocate duties for the day’s work.

I, will collect tools from the store room, leave the rest of the crew at the waiting place
with a team leader to man the waiting place and instruct him not to allow anyone to
leave the waiting place until I, come back or send for them.

With my competent person I, will collect the following tools from the store room:-
two pinch bars fitted with rubber gaskets       
safety belt
2kg hammer
half inch hose
3m grizzley hook
hemp rope
Functional auer gas tester and valid detector tubes

Before I, leave the waiting place I, will delegate one competent person to man the
waiting place until I, come back.
 With my competent person I, will proceed towards the main danger barricade, open it
, enter and close it behind me and put a “NO ENTRY” sign. I, will open the main
compressed air valve to operate auxiliary air and check time go back to a fresh air
zone.
After the expiry of 15 minutes or more I, will proceed towards the main danger
barricade , open, enter and close it behind me and put a “NO ENTRY” sign.
On the travelling way I, will:-

test for gases

make sure fans are running and ventilation is adequate
unexpected holings along the drive
attachment to cables and pipes
blockages in drains
visually check for bad hangings and any other dangerous conditions

Adopt the same procedure until I, reach the danger barricade at the entrance to the
shaft. I, will open the barricade, enter and close it behind me and put a “No Entry”
sign, test for gases until I, reach the auxilliary air valve and close it. Secure my safety
belt ,test for gases and water down the whole area around the collar to expose cracks
and bar down all accessible areas, clear any tools or dirt around the collar for a
distance of at least 2 metres from the shaft collar.
Go to the winding engine driver and verbally warn him of what I intend to do in the
shaft and enter the warning in the drivers’log book including the time, the driver shall
counter sign as having understood the warning. The kibble will travel a complete trip
up and down
to make sure it is safe for use (after ringing 2-1 to the driver)
After inspecting the kibble I will put tools in the kibble, get into the kibble with my
competent person and ring 2-2. I will test for gases and visually check for bad
hangings as we go down. I will adopt the same procedure until I reach the galloway
stage.
I will climb out and put tools on the Galloway stage, check the attachments to the
galloway stage, fi it is still secure and intact.
I will leave my competent person at the galloway stage and give him instructions, to
watch my progress and to listen to my instructions as I go down.
I will put valid detector tubes and a functional auer gas tester in my top pocket, secure
safety belt and 2kg hammer under my belt, unreel the chain ladder from the galloway
stage and lower it down.
I will go down the chain ladder securing myself to a secure anchorage, test for gases,
sound for loose ground with a hammer at regular intervals. I will adopt the same
procedure until I reach at least 8 metres from the bottom of the shaft.
At about 8 metres from the shaft bottom I will tell my competent person to lower a
water hose and water down the whole area including the muck pile, call for a pinch
bar and bar down the sidewalls as I go down.
Upon reaching the face I, will test for gases, water down the sidewalls and the muck
pile to dissolve NxOy and visually check for misfires.
I will ring the skip down by ringing 2-2 and stop it at the 4m mark and ring the mark
signal 4-4 and driver shall also ring 4-4 as acknowledgement that he has understood
the signals.      
I will ring the skip down by ringing 2-2 and stop it at the 2m mark and ring the mark
signal 4-4 and driver shall also ring 4-4 as acknowledgement that he has understood
the signals.
I will lower an air pump and pump all the water, call my lashers and give them
instructions:
to be on the look out for misfires      
to continously bar down as the face is being exposed
to observe the safety precautions of raising and lowering the kibble
not to overload the kibble above the level of the brim

On completion, mark on sinkers’ sketch any misfired holes located and endorse and
hand over to miner in charge of drilling operations.
QUESTIONS COMPILED BY ;

B. Kandambi