Loading Preparation

• Carry out an inspection of the area where loading is to be carried out for any hazards

• Communicate your movements to any other operators in the area

• Contact grader/dozer to clean floor in preparation for truck loading.

Curragh Queensland Mining Pty Ltd is part of Westfarmers Energy 47 2.3.3 Loading Operation

Study the area that the loading operation will be carried out and decide on the best approach to loading eg:

• Develop a plan of how to work the face and the loading method to be employed (eg drive by, through the gate)

• Inspect the area/material to be loaded and decide if any additional preparation is required (eg grader/dozer to prepare floor/bench)

• Set up the loading bench. Check the following as you go:

- keep the bench height as close as possible to the stick length or equal to the gate height of the truck.

- set the angle of the bench to suit the material being excavated.

Loose material will need a lower angle while compacted earth may stand near vertical.

• Load trucks using the most productive method (eg drive by, over the side)

When trucks are fully loaded and the area is clear of other traffic, sound the horn once to signal that loading is completed.

NOTE

Some rear dump trucks have a load weight system, as the excavator operator you should familiarise yourself with the system fitted to the trucks you are loading. The Komatsu system fitted is as follows:

One Green light for a load between 56-67 ton Two Green lights for a load between 67-85 ton Three Green lights for a load between 85-91 ton One Yellow light for a load between 91-96 ton One Red light for a load o ver 96 ton

Do Not Overload

Komatsu 785 Rear Dump Trucks are rated at 85 ton (three green lights)

Curragh Queensland Mining Pty Ltd is part of Westfarmers Energy 48 2.3.4 Positioning Trucks/Loading Techniques

The excavator operator is the ‘spotter’ and it is his/her role to direct the truck to the loading position. The excavator operator usually has the bucket full and in position so that the truck can reverse under it for loading.

Loading may be carried out using a number of techniques to satisfy safety, job or production needs. Some of the more common techniques include:

• Over the side

• Off the same level

• Through the gate

• Drive by

Factors to consider when setting up for loading include:

• Bench height

• Material stability

• The area required for positioning of trucks (confined/floor type etc)

Curragh Queensland Mining Pty Ltd is part of Westfarmers Energy 49 2.3.5 Loading Over the Side

The excavator is positioned parallel to the face with the right track lined up along the cut line.

Trucks are positioned at right angles to the face or they may also be positioned at an angle to the face (see diagram below)

The excavator swings from the dig zone to the left carrying the bucket over the side (rails) of the truck before placing the material in the body of the truck.

The basic operation for loading over the side is as follows:

• The excavator raises the load and positions it at right angles to the face

• The truck operator backs under the bucket

• The excavator sounds the horn when the truck is in the correct position or has reversed back sufficiently

• The excavator tips the load from the bucket.

Curragh Queensland Mining Pty Ltd is part of Westfarmers Energy 50 2.3.6 Through the Gate Loading

The excavator is positioned parallel to the face with the right track lined up along the cut line.

Trucks are positioned at an angle to the bench face and facing away to the left of the excavator.

The excavator swings from the dig zone to the left carrying the bucket through the gate of the truck before placing the material in the truck body.

The basic operation for through the gate loading is as follows:

• The excavator raises the load and positions it next at about 45^o from the cut line

• The truck operator backs under the bucket

• The excavator sounds the horn when the truck is in the correct position or has reversed back sufficiently

• The excavator tips the load from the bucket.

Curragh Queensland Mining Pty Ltd is part of Westfarmers Energy 51 2.3.7 Drive By Loading

The excavator is positioned parallel to the face with the right track lined up along the cut line.

Trucks are positioned parallel to the bench face, preferably with the operator’s cabin on the excavator side. It is the responsibility of the excavator operator to ensure that the truck is positioned so that the counter weight clears the truck when the excavator is swinging.

The excavator swings from the dig zone to the left carrying the bucket through the trucks gate or over the side before placing the material in the truck body.

The basic operation for through drive by loading is as follows:

• The truck operator drives into position along the bench with the truck about 2.5 metres from the crest of the face

• The e xcavator sounds the horn when the truck is in the correct position

• The excavator raises the load and swings it over the trucks side

• The excavator tips the load from the bucket.

Curragh Queensland Mining Pty Ltd is part of Westfarmers Energy 52 2.3.8 Loading Trucks Off the Same Level

The excavator is positioned at floor level. Tracks can be facing either directly into the heap or at an angle across the face depending on the width of the bench.

Trucks are positioned at an angle to the to the bench face (if conditions allow).

The excavator swings from the dig zone to left and right carrying the bucket through the gate before placing the material in the truck body.

WARNING

Although truck loading can be carried out from either side, to prevent the excavator counter weight striking a truck, o nly one truck at a time should be positioned

The basic operation for loading trucks off the same level is as follows:

• The excavator raises the load and positions it to the left or right of the digger as close to the face as possible. Excavator operator must ensure that the truck is not in the path of the excavators counter weight when slewing

• The truck operator backs under the bucket

• The excavator sounds the horn when the truck is in the correct position or has reversed back sufficiently

• The excavator tips the load from the bucket.

Curragh Queensland Mining Pty Ltd is part of Westfarmers Energy 53 EX25/36 2.5 ACT ON OR REPORT MONITORING SYSTEMS AND ALARMS