report – ENGIE

7. Progress update –2014 Inquiry report –ENGIE

The 2014 Inquiry report made six recommendations and 17 affirmations to be led by GDF Suez (now ENGIE). Recommendation 16 was divided into two parts –16.1 and 16.2.

Recommendation 16.1 required ENGIE to review its Mine Fire Service Policy and Code of Practice so that it reflected industry best practice and ensure it was suitable for fire prevention, mitigation and suppression in all parts of the Hazelwood mine. This part of the recommendation was reported as complete in the 2016 IGEM Hazelwood report. The following section provides an update on recommendation 16.2.

7.1 2014 Inquiry report: recommendation 16

GDF Suez (ENGIE):

review its ‘Mine Fire Service Policy and Code of Practice’ so that it reflects industry best practice and ensures that, by taking a risk management approach, it is suitable for fire prevention, mitigation and suppression in all parts of the Hazelwood mine; and incorporate the revised ‘Mine Fire Policy and Code of Practice’ into the approved work plan for the Hazelwood mine.

Table 34: Status of 2014 Inquiry report recommendation 16 actions reported as ongoing in 2017

NO.

R16.2 ACTION

GDF Suez to apply to DEDJTR for its revised Mine Fire Service Policy and Code of Practice to be incorporated into the Hazelwood Mine Work Plan DUE DATE

December 2015 STATUS

Complete

R16.2 GDF Suez to apply to DEDJTR for its revised Mine Fire Service Policy and Code of Practice to be incorporated into the Hazelwood Mine Work Plan

The 2017 IGEM Hazelwood report stated that ENGIE Hazelwood had reviewed its Mine Fire Service Policy and Code of Practice but noted delays to the approval of work plan variations due to the closure of Hazelwood and the introduction of risk-based work plans. Since then, DEDJTR has approved ENGIE Hazelwood’s September 2017 work plan variation for the Hazelwood mine (refer to Recommendation 19). The work plan variation incorporates the revised Mine Fire Service Policy and Code of Practice, now titled the Mine Fire Service Policy. The policy is appended to the work plan variation and has formal status as a mine fire risk-related document.

The policy provides a framework of standards and guidelines aimed at: minimising the risks associated with fire at the mine protecting mine personnel and others at the mine protecting mine plant, equipment, infrastructure and coal reserves minimising fire-related disruptions to mining operations and electricity generation ensuring prompt reporting, containment and extinguishing of fires at the mine preventing the occurrence of a major coal fire that impacts on third parties and the environment ensuring that fire prevention, mitigation and suppression infrastructure at the mine meets industry best practice and operational requirements. Complementing the policy are a number of guidelines, instructions, operating procedures and checklists regarding the technical design, fire readiness, mitigation and suppression measures that are used at the ENGIE Hazelwood mine. The policy also states that it is to be reviewed annually – with input from independent industry experts as required – in order to ensure that it continues to reflect industry best practice.

Finding

IGEM considers this recommendation has been implemented.

Image: Fire preparedness at ENGIE Hazelwood. Source: ENGIE