Over the past 18 months Groundwork Plus has noticed a rise in the number of requests for quarry assessment reports (QARs) by quarry operators, a task that is normally undertaken by quarry operator staff.
However, given the increased requirements by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) on their quarry assessment and registration processes, and the potential risks of non-compliance, many quarries understandably require assistance obtaining certification and implementing sound practices on-site.
TMR is again undertaking a review of the requirements for quarry assessment and registration.
To be accredited as a provider for TMR projects, quarries are required to be assessed and obtain certification through the completion and submission of a QAR every two years. The purpose of this report is to demonstrate that:
- The quarry site has suitable quality source rock material.
- The correct standard of crushing and screening equipment is being used.
- Appropriate quality systems, processes and controls are in place to ensure the production of consistent and compliant quarry materials.
The department’s underlying reason for increasing the requirements for quarry assessment and registration is to provide assurance that the quarry is managed in a way that will consistently produce product complying with TMR technical standards.
The quarry registration system (QRS) documentation has recently been reviewed as a result of findings and recommendations from a TMR/CCAA working group formed in 2013 to investigate and rationalise compliance testing for quarry material products.
Implementation of the changes is expected to achieve benefits for both TMR and the quarry industry, including:
- Rewarding good performers through reduced testing costs.
- Concentrating testing resources where the risk is highest.
- Reducing the overall cost of compliance testing.
ANTICIPATED CHANGES
While still being developed, the proposed new QRS documentation is expected to comprise four guidelines, a form and a flowchart, and will it will likely replace the existing documentation that comprises:
- An overarching guideline about the QRS.
- Guidelines for preparing QARs for a hard rock quarry and natural sand and/or gravel quarries.
- Guidelines for compliance testing frequencies for source rock tests.
- A quarry registration application form.
Source rock quality is a focus of TMR and the industry can expect to see increased certainty and guidance with respect to the tests required and their frequency relating to source rock to support existing compliance tests within the TMR specifications.
BRIEFING AND TRAINING SESSIONS
TMR has been consulting with industry over the past nine months in relation to the proposed changes, which are to be finalised by October 2014.
TMR will organise, in consultation with the IQA, CCAA and other relevant parties, information workshops throughout Queensland between July and December 2014. These will be for quarry owners, operators and TMR staff.
The new documentation and QRS is expected to become active in January 2015, when necessary changes to the relevant TMR specifications have been finalised.
Formal feedback on the changes to the QRS was due to be provided by the end of August 2014. However, if any operator has comments or feedback on the QRS documentation, it can be sent to the TMR quarry registration system via email: tmrquarryregistration@tmr.qld.gov.au
It is expected that the changes and updated QRS documentation will be reviewed again in January 2016.
The consequences of not submitting a compliant QAR include the potential to reduce operators’ ability to meet government contracts.
Aside from that, a QAR under the new requirements is also a very useful document beyond assessment and certification. It can assist the quarry management team in developing and operating the site, ensuring materials are consistently produced within specification and to customer requirements.
In essence, the QAR should be treated like a quarry manager’s handbook on development and material quality practices.
Clayton Hill is the principal operations consultant at Groundwork Plus and a vice president of the IQA. Ajith Dissanayake, Peter Evans and Andrew Kennedy, of the Engineering and Technology Branch, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, will present on quarry specific compliance testing frequency levels at CMIC14 in Brisbane on 4 September, 2014.