Spontaneous Combustion Management Guideline

Spontaneous Combustion Management Guideline – Produced by Mine Safety Operations Branch
Industry and Investment NSW 

The intent of this guideline is to provide assistance to mines in the development and implementation of management systems to control risk arising from spontaneous combustion. In order to achieve this aim the guideline provides a set of mandatory management elements which be addressed to manage spontaneous combustion risks in a disciplined and
controlled manner.
The importance of effective management approaches, in addition to technical measures, is recognised as is the need for reliable and durable means of managing spontaneous combustion. The nature of risk arising from spontaneous combustion is that it may be continuously variable not only between mines but also within an individual colliery’s workings. A degree of discipline is also warranted as a means to detect, and effectively act upon, the often subtle changes in a mines operating environment which may be associated with the potential for spontaneous combustion. It is the intention of this document to detail an outline of what elements should be considered in the development of a managed approach to that risk. That managed approach is based on the development, implementation and maintenance of a Spontaneous Combustion Management Plan (SCMP) for an affected mine.
The SCMP is the collection of measures to be undertaken to assess, detect and control spontaneous combustion risks at a particular mine and it is intended that working SCMP’s are tailored to suit the situation at any individual mine.

There is a need for durable systems which retain their integrity over periods of time and with changes of personnel and increasing complexity of mining systems. Stakeholders in coal mines are increasingly seeking assurance that risks to the workforce and the mines themselves are being effectively managed, since it is those stakeholders who carry the burden of the consequences of ineffective management. It is considered that any mine complying with the letter and intent of this guideline will be in an excellent position to provide such assurance, that risk arising from spontaneous combustion is being effectively managed.

Click here for the full copy of these guidlines, including information on consultation, risk identification, risk analysis and risk managment.