Some simple tips to ensure the integrity and safety of your structures
Prevention is key is prevention, not reaction!
- Minimise spillage and eliminate the source of spillage promptly;
- Clean material build-up from around the base of all columns and flanges of horizontal beams;
- Protect lower level structural members from impact damage from mobile equipment;
- Carefully inspect for damaged support columns, braces, anchor bolts and eroded foundations;
- Any new structures should be designed and certified by a registered professional engineer in accordance with local building codes, applicable standards and in conformance with accepted engineering practices;
- Structures should be built in accordance with the structural plan and specifications by competent workers in accordance with generally accepted construction methods;
- Under no circumstances should building cross braces be removed or significant modifications to existing structures undertaken without the written consent of a registered professional engineer; and
- Utilise the services of a third party to conduct regular plant and equipment condition audits including structural integrity.
Structural integrity & Steel Structure Safety Failures
Unfortunately another fatality occurred on a mine site when a boilermaker working inside a thickener tank died when the gantry bridge above him failed and collapsed, crushing and pinning him.
The Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) have issued a Significant Incident Report with details of the incident and Actions required. See attached SIR 244. AME can assist with your required actions.
Plant structural integrity continues to be a major concern in the industry, not just in Australia, but overseas as well. In Western Australia alone there have been no fewer than seven structural failures in recent times that fortunately haven’t resulted in injuries (See attached Mines Safety Bulletin 124) until the latest incident.
Even in America failures of storage bins, silos and other structures have highlighted the need for increased awareness of the hazards associated with these structures particularly in older processing plants.
AME have recently completed four structural integrity audits for clients using guidelines and templates developed over many years. Call AME today for your plant structural condition assessment.
Have you seen the following before?
 |
 |
| Corrosion on the footing of the building structure and cross bracing. | Cracked grout and loose bolts on supporting structure. |
DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions presented in this article are those of the author. Asset Management Engineers Pty Ltd does not warrant the correctness of the information provided or its fitness for any purpose.