Mines told to get ready for the cyclone season

Mining and onshore petroleum operations throughout the North West of WA have been given a reminder to ensure their site is prepared for the State’s cyclone season by the DMP.

Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP)  Resources Safety Executive Director Simon Ridge said that employers must have adequate plans and provide adequate training to protect workers from hazards at the workplace, including natural hazards such as cyclones.

“The tragic events that have unfolded in the Philippines are a reminder of the destructive power of cyclones,” Mr Ridge said.

“It is crucial that everyone knows what to do in the event of a cyclone hitting their operations.”

The cyclone season officially began on November 1 and the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a near-average number of tropical cyclones in the waters off the North-West coast this season.

“The Bureau has said around two coastal impacts can be expected, with a significant risk of one of those being severe,” Mr Ridge said.

“The tragic circumstances surrounding Cyclone George in 2007 demonstrate that it only takes one cyclone to cause significant damage and suffering.”

The Resources Safety Division of the Department of Mines and Petroleum has issued the following advice for workplaces it regulates in cyclone-sensitive regions.

1. Employers must develop emergency procedures and plans in conjunction with advice from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and other regional emergency planning groups where their work sites and camps are located.
2. The emergency plans should include details for making the site safe and ensuring the safety of personnel as far as is practicable. This should include the removal or restraint of loose objects and structures and evacuation of personnel. The plans must be communicated to all personnel likely to be on site during the cyclone season.
3. Every accommodation unit or donga and every transportable building on work sites in cyclone sensitive regions should be adequately secured.
4. During the Blue and Yellow Alert Cyclone Warning phase, a safe and orderly evacuation of non-essential personnel from the work site or camp should be considered before high intensity cyclones pass by.
5. To prevent injuries during transfer, any personnel remaining on site during the cyclone should be moved to a designated appropriate shelter well in advance of the arrival of the cyclone.
6. Where personnel are required to stay on site, adequate stocks of food and other essential items should be available during the period when the site may be cut off due to high winds or flooding.
7. During the Red Alert Cyclone Warning phase, when all power has to be isolated or in the eventuality of damage or interruption occurring to the power supply or telephone and internet connections, an adequate means of reliable emergency backup communication should be available on site to make contact with external emergency services should help or assistance be required.
8. Each site should continuously monitor cyclone warnings issued on radio, television or the Bureau of Meteorology or DFES websites. Battery-powered radios should be available in the event of power interruptions on site.

Cyclone safety alerts and a report on Cyclone Bobby in 1995 are available from the Resources Safety website at www.dmp.wa.gov.au/ResourcesSafety

Additional information on preparing for cyclones can be found on the following websites:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• Department of Fire and Emergency Services
• WorkSafe
• Department of Transport