In 1996, the same year as John Howard was sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia and Bill Clinton won his second term as US President, Jamestech began as a simple electrical contracting company, completing small electrical and instrumentation projects.  

Over the next 10 years the need within the mining industry for inexpensive, efficient supply of tradesmen, technicians and engineers prepared to travel anywhere, was serviced by Jamestech and we soon grew to having employed more than 400 personnel.  

The Jamestech Group of companies is proud to have 3 core business units, to assist our customers.  

1 – Jamestech (Labour)

Maintenance and Shutdown, Electrical Labour Hire
Having our own supply of electrical and mechanical specialist technicians within Jamestech (Labour) , enables us to support industries technical labour needs.

Whether it be, hourly rate hire of our personnel to complete your project or a fee for service recruitment contract, we pride ourselves on supplying personnel of the highest quality whilst adhering to the “Jamestech Vision”. 

2 – Jamestech (Projects)

Electrical Contracting and Engineering Compliance
With all Electrical Contracting and Engineering Licenses, and all relevant Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance requirements, Jamestech (Projects) has the ability to complete all Electrical Engineering, Compliance and Auditing Requirements.  

Jamestech (Projects) is an organisation that provides specialist advice and solutions to the Mining, Refining, Oil and Gas, Building Construction and Electrical Supply and Distribution Industries.  

3 – Jamestech (Training)

Electrical and Mines Safety Training

To assist our growth and ensure our on-going commitment in providing the highest quality service as well as the continued quest for perfection, we became our own RTO (Registered Training Organisation); Jamestech (Training).

Our aim of vocational education and training is to provide accredited training to enable personnel to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes essential in our staff for the highest level of workplace performance.  

Jamestech always strives to provide the best possible service whilst providing competitive electrical labour and engineering contractor and know that we can always supply a quality product with our own staff, to assist you with your specialist project, training, engineering and technical labour needs.  

Should you require any further information on Jamestech Services, or may wish to join the Jamestech team, please do not hesitate to contact any of the Jamestech staff on +61-7-55493471 (outside Australia), or 1300 732 881(freecall within Australia).  

Darren Caulfield
CEO

Mines Inspectorate—Underground metalliferous mines Safety Alert No. 280 | 18 January 2012

Emergency refuge bay explosion

What happened?

 A periodic inspection of an underground Rescueair emergency refuge bay (ERB) found that an explosion had occurred inside. It is believed that an explosive atmosphere was created by the hydrogen generated when the EverExceed® VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) batteries were overcharged.

Batteries from the ERB 

Outside of the ERB after the incident

Why did it happen?

 Factors contributing to the incident include:

• EverExceed® battery-charging system did not switch off when manufacturer’s fully charged battery voltage was reached.
• Overcharging the batteries produced hydrogen which, in this case, vented into the ERB.
• Location of batteries inside the ERB.
• ERB inspection procedure was not followed correctly by personnel.
• Gas was ignited by an unknown energy source. Flammable limits of hydrogen in air are 4 to 74% by volume.

The batteries were housed under a seat within the ERB. The gas expelled from the overcharged batteries was circulated around the airtight ERB by the air-conditioning unit. While the ignition source hasn’t been positively identified, the battery charger is suspected. Other potential ignition sources inside the ERB include lights, two-way radio and an air conditioner.

ERBs form an integral part of an underground mine’s emergency response plan and system. The site safety and health management system must ensure that ERBs are installed, operated and maintained according to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) recommendations. Where OEM recommendations are not followed, suitable risk and change management processes must be applied to ensure that the risk remains at an acceptable level.

Recommendations

1.  Inspect all ERB battery and battery-charging systems to ensure that they are compatible with, and installed and operating within, OEM specifications.
2. Ensure that all ERBs are subject to scheduled inspection and maintenance by suitably qualified personnel, covering OEM specifications as a minimum.
3. Regularly inspect batteries for signs of gasification (swelling) or other defects such as cracking of cases and deterioration of terminations.
4. Relocate batteries to a place where flammable gases cannot accumulate.
5. Use batteries that do not expel hydrogen in the event of overcharging.
6. Install battery cell monitors on each battery to ensure that the internal impedance of the battery is within acceptable limits. Where a defect is detected, initiate an alarm.

Hermann Fasching | Manager, Safety and Health – North Region
Contact Damian Lee, Inspector of Mines, +61 7 4747 2157

Place the alert on noticeboards and ensure all relevant people in your organisation receive a copy. See more safety alerts and bulletins at http://mines.industry.qld.gov.au/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MiningSafetyQLD

Hello to All,

It is hard to believe that Christmas is once again upon us, it seems that I only just finished writing last year’s message. Each year it seems that the year goes by quicker and quicker as our modern lives leave little time to stop and smell the roses.  At this time of the year life becomes even more hectic preparing for the holiday, parties, shopping and so much more.  In the midst of this “busyness” it is important that we do not lose sight of what is important: Our families.

Spending time with our families keeps us focussed on what is important as well as the true meaning of Christmas.  Christmas is a time where we take the time to get together with loved ones or take the time to pick up the phone and remind those that we love what is in our hearts.  With financial times being what they are many of us have to be resourceful in showing those around us how we feel. Simply be creative and do it!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has made this another great year for James Technologies.

Thank you to our customers, we value your business greatly and look forward to further assisting you in the New Year.

Thank you to our suppliers, for the wonderful service you provide to us.

Most of all, thank you to our employees for being part of the Jamestech Team and working so hard on all our customers’ sites. As contractors on site you often do not receive the same support and mateship as others and it is always easier to complain than to compliment.  Please be assured your hard work and dedication is always noticed and appreciated by site management.  Our employees are the most important part of our business and to state the obvious; Jamestech would not exist without you.

May the miracle of Christmas fill you heart with warmth and love.

Whatever you do, take the time to sit back and enjoy a beverage or two and stop and smell the roses!

Darren Caulfield
CEO

This Standard applies to all persons carrying out work on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment.

It is the responsibility of all persons to ensure that the work they are doing does not present a risk to themselves and others at the work site or at a remote location.

2.3.3 ARC, BLAST AND FLASH INJURIES
Persons working on or near energized conductors of electrical equipment should be aware that fault currents of up to 20 times the rated current of the supply transformer can flow for short times during arc fault conditions.

WARNING:
ARCS THAT ARE PRODUCED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS HAVE THE ENERGY TO CAUSE AN EXPLOSION, MELT METALLIC SWITCHBOARD CUBICLES AND EQUIPMENT, CAUSE SEVERE BURNS AND FLASH BURNS TO THE FACE, EYES AND BODY AND INJURY THROUGH IMPACT FROM FLYING DEBRIS OR DISLODGED COMPONENTS. CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICES MIGHT NOT OPERATE TO SAFEGUARD THE WORKER IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES.

3.3 FAULT FINDING OR TESTING
The risk of electric shock, electrocution, arc, blast and flash burn injuries exists when performing fault-finding or testing on or near exposed energized conductors or live conductive parts.

To manage this risk the following precautions shall be taken:

(a) Before commencing any fault-finding work on or near exposed energized conductors or live conductive parts, an assessment of the associated risks shall be made. The risk assessment shall include, but not be limited to, the determination as to whether isolation, the use of suitable barriers or a safety observer is required.

NOTE: Regulatory authorities and legislation in some jurisdictions may have requirements for the use of a safety observer during fault-finding work.

(b) Any persons undertaking fault-finding work on or near exposed energized conductors or live conductive parts shall be competent in the work to be carried out.

(c) When fault-finding work is to be carried out on or near exposed energized conductors or  live conductive parts, precautions shall be taken or procedures put into place to prevent the possibility of simultaneous contact with conductors at different voltages or to earth.

9.0 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Protective clothing worn by electrical workers working on or near exposed energized conductors or live conductive parts shall be appropriate for the purpose, fit correctly, cover the full body (including the arms and legs) and be in good condition while the work is being performed.

Bracelets, rings, neck chains, exposed metal zips, watches and other conductive items shall not be worn while working on or near exposed energized conductors or live conductive parts. If worn, earplugs or earmuffs shall not be conductive.

What does it all mean?

Given this simple drawing let’s have a look.

Let’s assume an electrician is fault finding and as normal this must be completed live to undertake the measurements required for the job.

The electrician is wearing standard PPE, including hard hat, glasses, cotton long sleeve shirt and pants and of course safety boots.

How well is the person protected should a fault occur while they are fault finding?

First of all it is clear to see that the fault level will be of a different value depending where the fault occurs.

Taking the fault levels in to account let’s have a look at the Arc Flash Levels and the PPE required for each point. 

Are your electrical personnel exposed to undue risk?

How James technologies can assist?
We here at James technologies are fully conversant with the relevant standards, IEEE 1584 and NFPA70E.  We use both standards depending on which standard is the most relevant to your installation.

The first step of the process is to ensure a current single line drawing is available, up to date and complete with cable size and lengths.  Also, a listing typical cell sizes on site and of course a complete list of all the protection installed and its current settings.  We can of course arrange for one of experienced electrical personnel to come to site and assist with this.

From this, all information is then loaded in to our software and a fault level study is produced to determine  the fault levels across the installation.  This also verifies if the protection settings are correct for the installation.

Next step is to perform Arc-Flash-Analysis of each cell, (bucket, tray, DB, MDB,SWB, JB, JPS, or other enclosure) within the system.  These results are tabulated and then stickers are produced to place on the cells to warn of the arc-flash hazard and the correct PPE for working within that enclosure.

All of this is done with the electrical personnel on site so any engineering, administrative or  PPE controls recommended, are in line with the site standards and of course achievable.

Here is a typical finished warning sticker. 

The Stickers can be modified to include other information, such as upstream isolation point, where fed from, etc.

We do hope this has been of some interest and value to you and you company.  

At James technologies we have the knowledge and skills to effectively review your work
practices and systems to provide a clear and concise picture of your position. We will
work with your people to provide recommendations on how your business can meet it’s
obligations with minimum disruption or expense.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact any of the Jamestech staff on +61-7-55493471 (outside Australia), or 1300 732 881(freecall within Australia).

Ken Cryer
Engineering Manager

When the instruments are used for the measurement and control of industrial manufacturing, conversion, or treating processes, the term Process Instrumentation is applied and when the measuring and controlling instruments are combined so that measurements provide impulses for remote automatic action, the result is called a Control System.

In most situations where the desire is to totally control and measure the properties of a material within a process, several instruments may be required. This makes it necessary to have different instruments along the pipe, measuring numerous properties of the medium such as Temperature, Pressure, Level, Flow, Humidity, Density, Viscosity, to give a full understanding of the operation and understanding of the process.

Over the life of a plant many situations arise where the site drawings are not kept up to date and important current information is not recorded. Usually it is the P&ID associated with the loop being changed that does not get immediately updated.

Current up to date P&ID’s asssit everyone from the Engineers and Technicians to the Process Plant Operators both within the Control Room and in the field. The P&ID is regularly used as a platform for the Control Room HMI. Where the 2 differ kaos and confusion are the outcome.

The small amount of time spent updating the drawings after changes to piping and subsequemt instrumentation saves many hours of head sctratching and frustration during a process loop failure … which generally happens on nightshift during a major process push.

Jamestech Instrument Technicians are always available to assit in either a simple review, or a full site audit of you P&ID’s to ensure what is in the field is in the drawings.

Jamestech also have the Engineering support and Technical Draftspersons to assist in completing a full drawing review and update.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact any of the Jamestech staff on +61-7-55493471 (outside Australia), or 1300 732 881(freecall within Australia).

Darren Caulfield
CEO

AS/NZS 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment.

Below are some exerpts from Section 9, AS/NZS 4836, relating to PPE.

This Standard outlines principles and procedures of safe work, organization and performance on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment. It provides a minimum set of procedures, safety requirements and recommendations to manage the hazards associated with electricity, specifically arc blast, arc flash, electric shock and electrocution.

Protective clothing worn by electrical workers working on or near exposed energized conductors or live conductive parts shall be :

- appropriate for the purpose,
- fit correctly, cover the full body (including the arms and legs),
- be in good condition while the work is being performed.

All personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be selected in accordance with the risk assessment and with the type of work being performed.

Table 9.1 lists the requirements for PPE and Table 9.2 provides guidance on the selection of PPE.

Bracelets, rings, neck chains, exposed metal zips, watches and other conductive items shall not be worn while working on or near exposed energized conductors or live conductive parts. If worn, earplugs or earmuffs shall not be conductive.

TABLE 9.1 – Requirements
Eye protection – Eye protection without metal frames and complying with AS/NZS 1337 and selected in accordance with AS/NZS 1336.
Face shield – Face shield certified as rated at 10 cal/cm2 protection.
Arc flash suit and hood Arc flash suit and hood rated at a minimum of 40 cal/cm2 protection.
Footwear – Shoes or boots complying with AS/NZS 2210.2 and selected and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 2210.1.
Insulating gloves – Gloves complying with AS 2225 or an equivalent Standard and insulated to the highest potential voltage expected for the work being undertaken, and air tested each time prior to use.
Flame-resistant gloves –  Gloves complying with AS/NZS 2161.4, e.g. gloves made from leather or other non-melting heat-resistant material.
Hearing protection - Ear plugs or muffs complying with AS 1270.
Protective clothing - Flame-retardant clothing covering the full body (including arms and legs) and not made from conductive material or containing metal threads.
Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices - Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices complying with AS/NZS 1891.4 and that have been checked and inspected each time before use with particular attention being paid to buckles, rings, hooks, clips and webbing.
Safety helmets -Headwear complying with AS/NZS 1801.
Respiratory protection - Respiratory protection complying with AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716.

NOTES:
1 Regulatory authorities may have additional requirements for personal protective equipment.
2 Where insulated and flame-resistant gloves are worn together, they are to be matched in accordance with the insulated glove manufacturer’s instructions.

TABLE 9.2 - Guidance on the selection of PPE

TASK	CURRENTS UP TO AND INCLUDING 100 A	CURRENT EXCEEDING 100 A AND UP TO AND INCLUDING 400 A	CURRENTS EXCEEDING 400 A
Work (isolated and verified)	Footwear Protective clothing (if required) Eye protection (if required) Gloves (if required) Hearing protection (if required) Safety helmet (if required) Respiratory protection (if required)	Footwear Protective clothing (if required) Eye protection (if required) Gloves (if required) Hearing protection (if required) Safety helmet (if required) Respiratory protection (if required)	Footwear Protective clothing (if required) Eye protection (if required) Gloves (if required) Hearing protection (if required) Safety helmet (if required) Respiratory protection (if required)
Switching, isolating, removing fuses or links	Footwear Protective clothing Eye protection Gloves (if required) Hearing protection (if required) Safety helmet (if required) Respiratory protection (if required)	Footwear Protective clothing Eye protection Gloves Hearing protection (if required) Safety helmet (if required) Respiratory protection (if required)	Footwear Protective clothing Eye protection Gloves Hearing protection (if required) Safety helmet (if required) Respiratory protection (if required)
Isolation verification, testing or fault finding	Footwear Protective clothing Eye protection Gloves Hearing protection (if required) Safety helmet (if required) Respiratory protection (if required)	Footwear Protective clothing* Eye protection Gloves Arc flash suit and hood (if required) Hearing protection (if required) Safety helmet (if required) Respiratory protection (if required) Face shield (if required)	Footwear Protective clothing* Eye protection Gloves Face shield Arc flash suit and hood (if required) Hearing protection (if required) Safety helmet (if required) Respiratory protection (if required)
Live electrical work	Footwear Protective clothing* Eye protection Insulating gloves Arc flash suit and hood (if required) Flame-resistant gloves (if required) Face shield (if required) Safety helmet (if required) Hearing protection (if required) Respiratory protection (if required)	Footwear Protective clothing * Eye protection Safety helmet Insulating gloves Arc flash suit and hood (if required) Flame-resistant gloves (if required) Face shield (if required) Hearing protection (if required) Respiratory protection (if required)	Footwear Protective clothing * Eye protection Insulating gloves Flame-resistant gloves Arc flash suit and hood Hearing protection Respiratory protection (if required)
‘(if required)’: Determined by the risk assessment. * Collar up, top buttons done up and sleeves down.		Bracelets, rings, neck chains, exposed metal zips, watches, and other conductive items shall not be worn while working on or near exposed energized conductors or live conductive parts.

For more information on Australian and New Zealand Standards go to http://www.saiglobal.com

For assisance with PPE and protective Clothing see http://www.mrworkwear.com.au/

Should you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact any of the Jamestech staff on +61-7-55493471 (outside Australia), or 1300 732 881(freecall within Australia).

Darren Caulfield
CEO

Unfortunetly most investigations find the workers involved in the incidents had become complacent about safety. They’d gone on “autopilot” and stopped paying attention to what they were doing.

Complacency on the job injures and kills. And it spreads like a disease from one worker to another. One employee sees a co-worker taking a shortcut and figures, “If he can do it, why can’t I?” You can’t afford to let complacency take over in your workplace. Regular short training courses and other workplace initiatives, ie. safety meetings, can assist to break this mindset.

Through a strong commitment to regular safety training and awareness, you can create a safety culture that seeks out and eradicates complacency, replacing it with an emphasis on alertness, planning, hazard identification, problem solving, and accident prevention.

Below are some of the short courses Jamestech can deliver at your site, both within Australia and Abroad. In many countries, Government assistance could be available to businesses wishing to provide accredited training to their employees, enabling personnel achieve the skills, knowledge and attitudes required for superior workplace performance.

Partnering with Jamestech?

To continue Jamestech’s growth and commitment to providing a quality service and a focus on continuous improvement, The Jamestech Group became our own RTO (Registered Training Organisation) being James technologies (Training) Pty Ltd, RTO 31908

Jamestech are always willing to Partner with Companies, where our courses can be provided to you, for your trainers to deliver.

This allows maximum flexibility and  the ability for your trainers to contextualise the courses to  suit your site. Your trainers deliver the courses and Jamestech reviews the assessments and provides competency certificates and / or hard passport cards to the attendees.

Conduct Local Risk Control RIIRIS201A
This course is designed for personnel who are involved applying basic risk control processes, such as Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) or Job Safety Analysis (JSA), at a mine site or industrial facility.
This course involves trainees identifying hazards, assessing risk, identifying unacceptable risk, implementing risk treatments, and completing recording records.  (Nominal Duration – 4hrs)

Course in Low Voltage Electrical Work Rescue 39253QLD
On completion of this course, students will be able to assess hazardous electrical situations; take appropriate action to protect themselves and any victim of electrocution; rescue an electrocuted person without endangering themselves or others; and take appropriate action to prevent further danger to others. (Nominal Duration – 4hrs)

Perform CPR HLTCPR201A
This practical course covers skills and knowledge required to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), ie. Assess an emergency situation and Maintain the airway, breathing and circulation of an unconscious casualty (including. C.P.R.)
Perform CPR is a course from the Health Training Package and is required to be kept current (renewed ever y 6 months) to act as a Safety Observer, under the Qld Electrical Safety Regulations. (Nominal Duration – 4hrs)

Apply Initial Response First Aid RIIERR205A
Participants will acquire the skills and knowledge required for the provision of essential First Aid; and be competent in recognising and responding to an emergency using basic life support measures. The participant will be able to provide an initial response where First Aid is required: but is not expected to deal with complex casualties or incidents, and will be working according to established workplace First Aid procedures and policies. (Nominal Duration – 4hrs)

Work safely at heights RIIOHS204A
This unit covers working safely at heights in resources and infrastructure industries. It includes: identifying the work requirements, work procedures and instructions for the task; accessing and installing equipment; performing work at heights; and cleaning up the work area. (Nominal Duration – 4hrs)

Enter and work in confined spaces RIIOHS202A
This unit covers the entering and working in confined spaces in resources and infrastructure industries. It includes planning and preparing for entry of confined spaces; entry and working in confined spaces, exiting confined spaces and cleaning up.This unit is appropriate for those working in confined space (enclosed or partially enclosed) for the purpose of carrying out work or inspections and also is appropriate for those performing sentry or stand-by person roles. (Nominal Duration – 4hrs)

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact any of the Jamestech staff on +61-7-55493471 (outside Australia), or 1300 732 881(freecall within Australia).

Darren Caulfield
CEO

Most recently, our Electrical Engineers were requested to assist with the Electrical Engineering at the Morobe Joint Ventures, Hidden Valley Minesite and Wafi Golpu Minesite.

Hidden Valley, the open pit, gold/silver mine and processing plant, was commissioned during the 2010 financial year.
The Wafi copper/gold project is confirmed as one of the highest-grade copper/gold porphyry systems in South East Asia and plans are to bring the underground mine into production in 2016.

Picture - Hidden Valley Minesite (Harmony Gold Website)

Darren Caulfield, Jamestech CEO said “Jamestech have enjoyed many years working within PNG and developed good relationships within the Country. We would like to thank Harmony Gold and Newcrest for giving us the opportunity to assist with these 2 very exciting projects.”

Picture – Sir Michael Somare, PNG Prime Minister and Darren Caulfield, Jamestech CEO at a function earlier in the year.

Darren Caulfield
CEO

Darren Caulfield, Jamestech CEO said ”The MESA Conference is a must attend for anyone in the Resources Sector. It is an invaluable source of information regarding Electrical Safety and Standards in the Mining Industry” 

Darren Caulfield meets Geoff Devin, Rio Tinto Oron Ore.

Jamestech Management has extensive knowledge of all Electrical Statutory and Licensing requirements and support all our staff at no extra costs where expert assistance is required on site. With Jamestech being a Licensed Electrical Contractor (Accredited Master Electrician) and a Registered Training Organisation, we understand the whole Mining, Refining, Oil and Gas, Electrical Supply and Distribution Industries.

Many Electrical Authorities and Associations have websites to enable Electrical Workers to check their Licensing requirements for working within a different Country or State to where they completed their Trade.
 
Australia (Queensland): http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/fair-and-safe-work/electrical-safety/electrical-workers-and-contractors/licencing 
New Zealand : http://www.ewrb.govt.nz 
South Africa : http://www.ecasa.co.za

For employers within Queensland wishing to check their own electricians licenses, see :
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/elis

Note. All licenses need to be renewed at some duration in time.
So always check you are current.

Darren Caulfield
CEO