In a first for Queensland, Glencore Coal’s Oaky Creek operation has introduced Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) into their Oaky North underground operations. You might be wondering why it has taken so long, well it turns out getting an AED underground is no simple task.
Electrical Engineering Manager Colin Hoyle first contacted Resource Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) back in November 2022 to get the ball rolling, which called for AED storage to be included in Recognised Standard 01 (RS01) – Underground electrical equipment and electrical installations.
Colin said the hardest part was grabbing the bull by the horns and starting the process to get the legislation changed.
“In March 2023, I put forward a submission to the Recognised Standards review committee outlining a proposed series of requirements and conditions to enable sites to safely store the units in a Queensland Underground Coal Mine.
“The updated version of RS01 was published in June 2024, providing criteria and risk management guidance for sites to navigate the safe storage underground. At Oaky Creek, we wasted no time in commencing the process, recognising the potential benefits to our people.
“It wasn’t all smooth sailing; however we persisted, and with a lot of consultation with the workforce, have built a strong system. Some of the improvement opportunities we have fed back to RSHQ to include in the current draft amendment for RS01 to better support industry should they embark on this journey,” he said.
Underground is a hazardous environment, so there are strict requirements to have the AEDs there. The Oaky North team worked with RSHQ and the review committee to achieve an acceptable level of risk. Some of the controls included IP66 transport and storage enclosures and various indicators for impact, heat and moisture. The units are stored in vacuum sealed bags and undergo weekly inspections.
“When you think about someone who is in cardiac arrest, their survival odds drop 7-10% for every minute without CPR or defibrillation. Using an AED combined with CPR within the first 3 to 5 minutes significantly increases survival rates to 60% to 70% – our people underground deserve these odds,” Colin said.
“As a site, we are extremely proud of what we have achieved, and I want to personally thank all of those involved for your hard work, persistence and energy. Changing legislation and standards is a slow and often difficult process, but its lasting impact is a safer industry and that makes it worth the effort.”
