Lesson 3 – Sheba Shaft Procedure

What to do when overload occur at loading box:

• When loading reef into skip and overload occur
• Onsetter will ring 4-1 for skip to raise to platform
• Rocks on head-cover to be removed
• Rang 4-1 till skip is in position at platform
• Remove rocks on side of skip lying against bridal
• Inspect trigger-arm – make sure it is latched
• If it is not latched, inspect bridal underneath skip for rocks
• After inspection, if everything is in order, cancel 7’s and send cage out to tip.

When skip stuck in headgear: how to release skip:

• Winding Engine Driver will phone Shaft Foreman and if there is slack rope he will phone the Electrician and Engineering Foreman on standby
• Shaft Foreman will notify the Mine Overseer and will phone the Timberman
• On arrival at shaft where skip is stuck, the Timberman will wait for the Electrician to reset slack rope alarm
• The Winding Engine Driver will ring 4-1 on the request from Timberman to take the slack from the rope
• Then the Timberman will inspect the skip and bridal and trigger-arm for loose rocks, stopping the skip to tip
• Safety harness must be used when entering shaft area at headgear
• If the problem has been found it will be rectified and Timberman will test the skip entering the camel back
• If the trigger-arm is bent, the skip will be lowered to bank area where trigger-arm will be changed.

Spillage compartments appointed persons

• Driver appointed and tested by Engineering
• Bell Operator tested and appointed
• Spillage winch and shaft will be examined once weekly by Timberman and Engineering
• Will make sure drop rails are working, exam rails and bells and sills.

When pulling spillage

• On the indicator at driver there will be a “stop line”. There he will stop the skip. Driver will signal “One” to skip operator
• He will pick the drop set up, allow the skip to pass by. The skip will stop at the box where it will be filled. The operator will ring a 4-1 signal. The skip will pass the dropset where it will be stopped and the drop set will be closed. The operator will then ring to the driver to go up and tip the skip

Loading of ore when there is water in loading boxes

• When arriving at loading box, make sure shaft gates are closed and secured with chain and lock
• Ring 4-1 to W.E.D. to raise skip above loading platform
• Onsetter will phone W.E.D. and tell him he is starting with loading ore in measuring flask. To drain the water: Onsetter will stand in centre of the box before loading
• Onsetter will start opening the top door of box only for water to start coming out. If mud starts forcing through the gap, close door immediately and start from beginning again.
• When measuring flask is on its level, the Onsetter will ring 4-2 and let W.E. driver know he is going to load the skip.
• The whole process will be done on other side
• The procedure will go on till water is drained; If there is a lot of water running out, Onsetter will stop the skip before reaching loading box for water to drain to shaft bottom.

When loading stretcher in cage – ZK# and MRC#

• Ecam will be installed at bottom deck of cage
• MRC Shaft both doors will be opened. ZK Shaft one door will be opened.
• Driver will be informed and logbook will be signed. Driver will also be informed about speed that will be used
• When arriving at station, the Onsetter/Timberman will tell everyone how the stretcher will be taken into cage
• The stretcher will be placed upright into the bottom deck. There will be one person on the second deck supporting the stretcher
• Both safety latches will be closed. Onsetter will make sure everything is secured before signaling on the ecam to the bank.
• On the bank stretcher will be lowered down and taken to the carriage ambulance
• Driver logbook will be cleared.

Transporting of long material where cage door is open: diesel cars and 210L oil drums when there is only one onsetter

• When loading the material the Onsetter will make sure it is secured
• Bottom plates will be installed and flatbar arms to be closed. Before signaling to W.E.D. the Onsetter must make sure everything is secured and safe. Then he will signal the cage away.
• When there is only ONE Onsetter on duty, like on night shift, the Onsetter will install ecam and write in driver’s logbook.
• When cage door is open to transport material, diesel cars and 210L oil drums, point no. 3 will be followed before commencing with transporting of material. (If there is only one Onsetter).

Transporting of material cars in cages – ZK AND MRC#

• MRC#: Both cage doors will be open
• Stop plate will be installed at back of cage to sprag material car
• When in position the front plate will also be installed to secure material in cage
• Where necessary flat bar material car latch will also be closed
• No chains or wedges will be used to sprag material cars in cage
• Onsetter will make sure material car is secured before ringing cage away.

When loading cement into cages

• The big plates will be installed at back and front of cage.
• Cement will then be loaded into the cage and T-sprags will be closed.
• Only load one car of cement.
• Do not overload cages.
• Banksman/Onsetter will make sure everything is in order before ringing cage away.

Installation of screen guards and canopy on top of cage for shaft exam

• W.E.D logbook will be signed that shaft exam will be done.
• Cage will be stopped humble hook platform on line with bank.
• The two screens will be installed on top of platform; 4-1 will be rang to tighten bolts on bottom of cover.
• The banks man will ring 4-1 again and will stop at battery box to install plug for ecam
• The conveyance will be lowered to test ecam system.
• The canopy will be installed ± 5 meter from platform. Two shaft planks will be installed over shaft. Then the canopy plates will be installed on the winder rope.
• Platform will be removed when canopy is secured.
• Shaft personnel must use safety harnesses all the time.

Transporting of VTN cars in cages with reef and without reef

• Open cage doors and sprag doors properly before installing loose rails.
• Inspect flat-bar locks, make sure it’s secured and in working order.
• When installing rails on station, it will only be done when cage is in position at station.
• When pushing car into conveyance, make sure shaft person’s hand is not between cage and car.
• Secure car and make sure flat-bar locks are in position.
• The rails will be removed before cage will be rang away.
• Shaft hooks will be used to pull car out of cage. If the crane is used, make sure sling and shackles is in order.
• After completion of work, cage doors and cage will be inspected properly by Onsetter.

Loading at conveyor belt & procedure when rock is stuck at idlers or pulleys

• Before commencing with task the operator will inspect the conveyor from tail pulley to the top at silo.
• Then the conveyor will be started by operator. After that he will start loading reef on conveyor.
• If the reef stuck in chute, the conveyor will be stopped before removing big rocks from chute.
• If the rocks are stuck between idlers or pulley, the conveyor will be stopped. The trip switch will be activated. Then the operator will lock out with his own lock.
• Shaft hooks will be used to remove rocks where possible. If not he will use his hand with gloves.
• If guards are removed the conveyor will not be started before it’s installed.
• The operator will only remove his lock if he is certain it is safe.

Explosive procedure

• Explosive forms handled by Shift bosses;
• Hand over forms to Magazine Master;
• Explosives been delivered at Shaft by Magazine Master;
• Appointed Team Leader checks with Security and Magazine Master and signs for explosives received;
• Then the explosives will be loaded in explosive cars and locked and then put down to 23 Level;
• The Team Leader and Loco Team Leader will Transport the cars to MRC#;
• The explosives are then loaded into the cage and convey to the designated level;
• Miner’s Assistant will receive and check the Explosives and sign; He will then take Responsibility for the Explosives to the working places.
• Explosive forms to be brought to surface by Miners and kept in office.

Conveyance in the haulage

• Loco driver to stop and give way to people.
• When tramming a scotch car in the haulage, one person with red light to move in front.
• Warning whistle to be blown.

Guards on man-carriages and hoppers

• Guards will have valid loco certificate.
• Guards will be responsible for passengers in man-carriage.
• To make sure everyone is seated and chain closed before signal for loco- driver to go.
• Guard will be responsible for switching of rails and T-sprags.
• He will give clear signals to loco-driver on pea whistle

Hoppers

• When tramming reef, guard will sit in second last hopper on chair.
• Clear signals on whistle to loco-driver if there are persons in front of hoppers in haulage.
• Guard will ensure that switches are in right position for hoppers to travel.
• When coupling hoppers, signals must be clear to loco-driver.
• Make sure shackle brackets and pins are in order. Safety chains been hooked.
• Red light on last hopper.

Draining water/mud in spillage compartment

• Only Shaft Foreman, Team Leader and Timberman allowed to drain the box if there is water or mud.
• Will ring spillage skip down and stop it at Box.
• Only appointed persons allowed at Box.
• Will open door, only allow the water to drain.
• If the mud starts to force the door to open, close the door immediately.
• Start the process from the beginning till all the water is drained.
• Then you will start pulling the mud. Don’t open the door too much. Only allow the mud to go through.
• If the mud force the door open, ring the skip away. Go and stand at safe place till the flow stop.
• Clean the compartment, make sure flight pump is out of mud and working. Start pulling the spillage.

Loading of drill steel, roof bolts and single pipes (blow) into cages

• The material will be bind into bundles of not less than FIVE items.
• The Onsetter or helpers will make sure it is secured before loading it in cage.
• The cage door will be closed after loading it.
• When taking the material out of cage, the Onsetter will make sure the steel is still in a tight bundle before removing.

Authorised persons responsible for handling of explosives and transporting from station to sections

• When explosives arrived at station, the Team Leader will check the explosives with the Miner Assistant.
• If it’s correct the Miner Assistant will sign the explosive control sheet that he received the correct explosives.
• Then the Miner Assistant will lock his explosive car with the explosives inside.
• The car will then be transported to the section.
• Where the Miner Assistant, under supervision of Miner, will reload the explosives into the explosive boxes.
• The Miner will also check the explosives and sign off the requisition order.
• The Fall Protection Belt must be worn in all places where the inclination exceeds 55° from the horizontal and where any employee works unprotected near such an area. (This means even if a person works on a solid flat area but near the edge of such steep area, he must wear such a belt).
• Every employee must inspect his safety belt every time before using it and if it is not in order, it must not be used. If an employee is not sure, he must not use the safety belt until it has been examined by his supervisor.
• All employees must be trained about the contents of this Standard Procedure and also the correct use and examination of these safety belts.
• This training must be conducted initially and then repeated on an annual basis.

People working on bank changing cages and skip

• When installing platform for Shaft exam, Shaft Timberman and Onsetter slinging or when doing shaft exam or repairs, will use the fall protection belt as per Code of Practice.

Pulling ore and the installation of safety catch when finished to travel to bank – MRC #

• When finished with change over from cages to skips.
• The On setter will make sure the safety catch on trigger-arm is installed – No. 9
• When arriving at box, the Onsetter will install safety cover (hood) on cage, ring 4-1. Stop at trigger-arm, remove safety catch. Then he will ring 4-2, stop skip at platform. Remove the hood from skip.
• Then he will ring 4-2 and make sure the skip is placed under discharge chute. Before start with loading ore, the same for No. 6 Comp.
• When loading, make sure not to overload skip.
• At end of shift, the Onsetter will again install the safety cover on skip. To install safety catch, the hood will be removed and the Onsetter and helpers will go to the Bank.

Changeover from cages to skips and skeleton cage

• Notify the winding engine driver of the happening when the changeover will start.
• Ring a 4 pause 2 to lower the cage into position below the swing guides, and stop the driver with a (1)
• Secure yourself with a safety belt before you open the swing guides. Now open the swing guides and back away from the shaft.
• Ring 4 pause 1 to raise the cage to the correct position where the dummy guides can be opened. Stop the driver with a ( 1 ).
• Open the dummy guides, release the cage catch arms, and check that every thing is in the correct position.
• Ring a 4 pause 1 to raise the cage until the cage is clear form the guides and the stop the driver with a (1).
• Connect the sling at the bottom of the cage, before starting pulling the cage out all the people are to back away from the shaft.
• Start pulling the cage out and push the loading car into position.
• When the car is in position ring a 4 pause 2 to slowly lower the cage onto the car once the cage is on the cars and the X head is detached from the drawbar stop the driver with a (1).
• Push the cage away and bring the skip\skeleton into position.
• Once the skip\skeleton is in position, connect the slings and pick up the slack.
• Ring a 4  pause  1  to  raise  the  skip\skeleton  while  picking  up the backside. Once the skip\skeleton is high, enough the car must be removed.
• Start to lower the cage with the crane while the driver raises the skip\skeleton.
• Stop the driver when the conveyance is in position with a (1). Secure your safety harness again and detach the slings.
• Support the conveyance and ring a 4 pause 2 to lower the conveyance into the guides. Once the cage is in the guides back away.
• Stop the driver with (1) when the dummy guides are in line to be released. Release the dummy guides and secure the X head catch arms and dibble check that all is secure
• Ring a 4 pause 2 to lower the conveyance and stop the diver when the conveyance is in position to close the swing guides.
• Now close the swing guides and secure them. Back away from the shaft release your safety belt and close the shaft gate.
• Once clear, from the shaft ring clear and repeat no.2 to no.18 on the other side.