News
Simtars' gas analysis
01 Sep 2021
Simtars recently undertook gas analysis for a client, to investigate a potentially hazardous situation involving gases detected from an unknown source.In collaboration with Simtars’ chemists, it was determined that the most likely source of the gas was bacterial.To further the investigation, the client designed a sampling regime using Simtars’ gas analysis to provide the information necessary to carry out additional analysis.Simtars’ laboratory staff developed a method to safely analyse the biological samples and provide a fast turnaround for results due to the time sensitive nature of the analysis.“We greatly appreciated the dedication, flexibility and skill demonstrated by Simtars gas laboratory officers. Results were provided rapidly and accurately. This enable us to manage a dangerous situation effectively, and to resume normal ...
Simtars - leading the way on improving flow meter calibration
04 Aug 2021
Secondary flow meters are used to determine exposure to respirable and inhalable dusts. They must be accurate and consistent to provide reliable results.The two main standards, AS 2985 and AS 3640, specify that flow meters are calibrated against a primary standard bubble tube flowmeter. These standards are outdated.Calibration using a bubble tube flowmeter is a lengthy process, influenced by changes in temperature, humidity, pressure variations and human error.The Simtars Calibration Laboratory believes there is a better way.We have recently purchased a high accuracy, electronic reference flow meter to reduce the uncertainty of calibrations as well as significantly reducing the time to complete the calibration.The unit is calibrated by Australia’s National Measurement Institute (NMI) as our laboratory reference, and comparison trials ...
Safegas and CAMGAS users group seminar
05 Jul 2021
The seminar included sessions on advancements in spontaneous combustion research and technologies and a tour of Simtars to showcase some of our current research projects. Operators from different mine sites also had the opportunity to share their own experiences.was also presented. It was an honour to have Peter Dent personally deliver the presentations to the winner, Marcus Creighton from Oaky North mine and runner up, Greg Cunliffe, also from Oaky North Mine. Congratulations, Marcus and Greg.Simtars Safegas CAMGAS users’ group is a free annual event for Simtars premium customers in Queensland and New South Wales.Thank you to Oaky North mine (Glencore), Broadmeadow Mine (BMA) and Carborough Downs Mine (Fitzroy Resurces) for supporting and attending this year’s event and making it ...
Simtars Director appointed as NATA Chair
23 Feb 2021
NATA is Australia’s national body for the accreditation of laboratories, inspection bodies, calibration services, producers of certified reference materials and proficiency testing scheme providers throughout Australia.Simtars’ test and calibration laboratories are NATA-accredited in the following areas:Testing activities associated with the certification of equipment used in areas where there is a risk of gas or dust explosions such as in underground coal mines, petroleum and gas installations and the like.The monitoring and analysis of gas and dust samples where there is a risk of gas explosions or a danger to the health of workers.The calibration of gas monitors and sampling pumps used for the monitoring of explosive environments or the level of worker exposure to dusts.Congratulations David on this critical and ...
Simtars continues its support of the QMEA Ambassador Program
10 Dec 2020
The visit incorporated tours of the gas laboratory and analytical chemistry laboratory along with propagation tube and dust lab demonstrations. The visit concluded with a flame proof testing demonstration and a rundown of intrinsic safe (IS) testing. The students gained a better understanding of the vast variety of applications and careers that support and service the mining industry, to make it a safer and healthier industry for all.Students enjoyed their visit and left with a better understanding of how Simtars contributes to improving safety and health outcomes in the mining and allied industriesMany of the students will enter a career in the mining sector and other allied industries. Being able to see first-hand the valuable work we do to ensure ...
Safety alert: Anti-static materials in underground coal mines
19 Oct 2020
The tests proved that even products with lower surface resistivity (<300 MΩ) are capable of causing spark ignition when not bonded to earth. This is more likely if the product has unbonded metallic components as part of the construction and potentially may compromise worker safety in underground coal mines.As a result of the Simtars testing, Resources Safety and Health Queensland issued safety alert no. 381 on 29 September 2020 and the New South Wales Resources Regulator released a safety alert on 9 October 2020.The safety alerts provide details of the testing and recommend that manufacturers of FRAS-rated materials ensure testing is undertaken by an independent testing facility in accordance with the relevant requirements of MDG 3608.Simtars can assist manufacturers and ...
Free online dust awareness course available
27 Aug 2020
This course will help you identify dust sources at a quarry and implement dust control measures.
RSHQ established as a Statutory Body under the Resources Safety and Health Act 2020
15 Jul 2020
On 1 July 2020, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) was established as a Statutory Body under the Resources Safety and Health Act 2020.RSHQ comprises the former division of the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) referred to as Resources Safety and Health which incorporates Simtars. Simtars will continue to trade as Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (Simtars) under the new entity ABN of 49 809 734 894.The establishment of RSHQ is the latest in a suite of sweeping mine safety and health reforms. Queensland’s 66,000 resources workers will have their own independent health and safety body. The state’s resources workers can now rely on an organisation with one job – keeping them safe at work.As ...
Simtars’ continued services in response to COVID-19
27 Apr 2020
The unprecedented situation with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) presents additional challenges for everyone in our sector. This communication is to provide you with an update on the services that Simtars continues to provide to our valued clients.Simtars has a business continuity plan in place to manage the risk of COVID-19 and ensure critical functions continue. Our plans align with advice from Queensland Health and broader government direction given we all play an important role in preventing the spread of the disease and keeping ourselves, our families and our communities safe.Simtars is continuing to provide essential services during this time and our priority remains the health and safety of our employees, customers and the resource sector. Our Redbank and Mackay offices remain ...
Simtars welcomes visiting Japanese delegation
03 Mar 2020
Simtars recently welcomed delegates from Japan’s national institutes to their Redbank campus.Representatives from Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and JGC Corporation (Oil and Gas Projects) were here to understand how IECEx* certified equipment from overseas is managed in Queensland.IECEx is an international certification scheme that outlines standards required for equipment suitable to use in explosive atmospheres (such as underground coal mines).Discussions were centred around how the international certification (IECEx) scheme integrates with the national certification scheme (ANZEx). Australia and New Zealand standards are used for specific products such as mining plugs and receptacles, bolted couplers and fuel dispensers where an IEC equivalent standard does not currently exist.It was ...
Simtars continues its support of the QMEA Ambassador Program
06 Dec 2019
The final group of visiting school students for 2019 came through the gates of Simtars on 3 Nov 2019.Members of the 2019 Student Ambassador Program from the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) spent the morning meeting members of the Simtars Executive Team and technical staff.Student ambassadors get the opportunity to visit the site’s gas laboratory and mobile gas laboratory, as well as participating in demonstrations in our VR Immersive Training Theatre and Dust Laboratory.The tour objective is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the role of Simtars; and to introduce them to the broad range of careers available within the mining and allied industries.Congratulations to the graduating student ambassadors from all the staff here at Simtars and ...
Clients can be confident in the level of expertise when hiring Simtars
06 Dec 2019
As part of ensuring our stakeholders can be confident in the engineering, testing, training and investigative services provided by Simtars, our staff undertake regular professional development and are continually advancing their career knowledge.Simtars’ Assessment and Testing Engineer, Ahmad Abdullah was recently approved as a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) by the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland (BPEQ) in the area of Electrical engineering.This registration system is to protect the public; maintain public confidence in the standard of engineering services; and to uphold the standard of practice in the profession.To be eligible for registration, an applicant must satisfy the Board’s skills and experience requirements as well as exceed a range of professional standards required by Engineers Australia.Applicants undertake years ...
Simtars and QMRS collaborate on MEMS courses in Mackay
06 Dec 2019
Did you know that Simtars plays a key role in designing the hands-on simulated training component of the Mine Emergency Management System (MEMS) course?Working with the Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS), our Technical Services team has just completed its involvement in the second training course for 2019, held in Mackay.The course came about as a recommendation of the 2003 Level 1 Mine Emergency Exercise, which identified the need to establish a clear organisational structure for managing emergencies, and courses have been conducted by QMRS since 2005.The software itself was developed from the Australasian Inter-agency Incident Management System – Incident Control System (AIIMS-ICS) and modified to fit mining legislation, personnel and the specific challenges inherent to the mining industry.For more information ...
Safegas monitoring replacement rolled out
24 Oct 2019
The first phase of the upgrade to the Safegas gas monitoring systems has been completed. The initial stage, which involved replacing the core application database at nine priority mines sites across Queensland, was completed at the end of the 2018-19 financial year by the Simtars Safegas team.The project delivered a stabilised and scalable database capable of supporting increased gas monitoring in line with mining regulation and predicted industry growth.An incremental roll out to the existing mine sites commenced in August and will take place during annual audit mine site visits with the first non-priority site scheduled for late August 2019. This refreshed database provides the foundation for future planned functionality improvements in support of mobility, web enablement and increased monitoring ...
Simtars supports the NEXTgen of engineers
24 Oct 2019
Ahmad Abdullah, Simtars Assessment and Testing Officer, has been selected for the 2019-2020 NEXTgen Contributors Program offered by Standards Australia.The NEXTgen Program selects emerging industry and technical experts and provides them with an exciting opportunity to become involved in the national and international standardisation processes supporting Australian industry and government. The program will train young professionals who will experience the national and international standards development processes and understand what it is like being involved on a Technical Committee of Standards Australia with their industry peers.Through webinars, meetings, networking and professional development activities, these emerging leaders share knowledge and collaborate to develop a deep understanding of what it takes to shape robust standards that contribute to the net benefit of the ...
