THE QUEENSLAND Mines Inspectorate has released a safety bulletin warning of the potential for diesel engine turbochargers to ignite fires at surface coal operations.
According to the Inspectorate, it analysed 18 months’ incident data from the coal industry. It found excavators had caused 30% of the turbocharger-relate fires, track dozers had been responsible for 15% of the fires, and rear dump trucks contributed to 12.5% of the incidents.
Most of the fires were caused by the hydraulic or engine oil spraying on the turbocharger, while the rest were caused by engine fuel contacting the turbocharger, or by the unit failing.
The safety alert claims the surface temperature of turbochargers can exceed 500 degrees Celsius during the normal operating cycle, with a potential to reach 600 to 700 degrees after engine shutdown.
These temperatures are enough to ignite fuel or oil if contact is made.
The Inspectorate recommends reviewing prevention, monitoring and contingency controls to control the risk. Heat shielding turbochargers, deflection barriers, and fuel line containment should also be considered.

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