Innovation in Lightning Risk Mitigation

Presented by Grant Kirkby Director- Lightningman Pty Ltd

Lightning Risk Mitigation Technologist

Perth - Western Australia

Grant Kirkby - Lightningman™

• 22 years in Lightning Risk Mitigation

• 4 x Lightning Fatality Investigations (SME)

• Numerous Lightning Injury Investigations (SME)

• Numerous Significant Lightning Incidents (SME)

• Lightning Safety Audits – (Australia, Africa, South America, and SE Asia)

• Endorsement - Threat Detection Technology Trial ( Peru 2015)

• Hosted Lightning Safety Seminars - (Brisbane, Mt Isa, Sydney, Hunter Valley, Perth & Kalgoorlie)

• Patent - LightningMat EPR Safety Mat

Appointed SME ( Lightning) to:

• DPI NSW, Qld, and Vic

• Perth Racing

• Australian Football League

• BHP Billiton

• WMC Resources

• Oz Minerals

• Rio Tinto

• MMG

• Barrick

• Newmont

• Anglogold Ashanti

Lightning Safety

Lightning is a very powerful and naturally occurring phenomena that is random and unpredictable. It is still very much misunderstood , both in science, and in the public psyche.

Yet it is a known risk with a long list of past form that has killed and injured workers within the workplace, simply because they were unaware of their exposure to risk, and of the risk mechanisms by which they could be injured.

Whilst the likelihood will always be considered as being relatively low, the consequences in any event are usually severe, and often catastrophic.

Despite best practices, well considered procedures, and even with all of the best detection and protection technologies, a 100% risk reduction is never achievable, nor can it be ever be offered.

All we can ever do is be aware of those known statistical probabilities, understanding of the risk mechanisms, ensure good OH & S practices, and the use of appropriate engineering controls so as to minimise the risks.

LIGHTNING RISK MITIGATION

Requires:

• Understanding of lightning and its risk mechanisms.

• Understanding of how to minimise any exposure to risk.

• A well considered and robust “Safe Working Procedure”.

• Understanding of Safe and Unsafe distance through staged metrics.

• The use of Lightning Threat Detection and Warning Technologies.

• A 100% communication and periodic update of lightning threats.

• An understanding of Safe Shelter, and what constitutes as a Safe Shelter.

• Ongoing threat re-assessment.

• Understanding of the All Clear requirements for resumption of normal operations.

MINIMISING EXPOSURE TO RISK

1st RULE

NOWHERE OUTDOORS IS SAFE FROM LIGHTNING!

The vast majority of lightning fatalities and injuries have occurred to

persons who were outdoors at the time of their injuries. .

At the first signs of audible thunder, visible lightning, or Lightning Warning

System Alarm, reduce/minimize any exposure by going indoors or seeking

refuge within;

• A significant building/ structure

• A functional Lightning Safe Shelter

• A metal roofed bus or light vehicle

AVOID

• Flat, or open terrain

• Water

• On top of elevated plant structures

• Location on or around Tank facilities

• Scaffolding or EWP

• Cranes

HIGH RISK AREAS

Any close proximity to:

• Metallic plant & structural elements

• Drill rigs

• Trees

• Lightning/power poles

• Communications masts

• Metallic fences

• Metal objects

• Railway lines & Pipelines

Avoid

• Handling corded telephony equipment

• Handling corded radio equipment

• Handling power tools

• Working with electrical cabling

• Working with communications & data cabling

Will include:

SAFE WORKING PROCEDURE

• Identify Requirements • Scope and application

• Roles and responsibilities

• Identify specific procedures needed to manage lightning risks

• Outline the metrics for determining safe and unsafe distances

• Change management considerations

• Risk Assessment • Regional Prevalence (Thunder-day/Ground Flash Density profiles)

• Identify all at risk workplace activities

• Identify any specific activities with higher disposition to risks

• Determine any greater exposure requiring PPE or controls

• Mandatory controls • Select Lightning Warning/ Detection technology

• Select the means by which site-wide communications, and update of threat alerts can occur

• Determine Safe Shelter requirements at all work areas (time to make safe, time to reach)

• Lightning /Surge protection considerations

• Grounding, and equipotential bonding practices

• Actions to be take • Lightning risk education and training

• When to resume normal activities

• Ongoing review

LIGHTNING THREAT METRICS

The majority of lightning injuries have involved persons who had been outdoors at the time of their injuries.

If persons could be forewarned as to any breach of any pre-determined distance thresholds, and sought

immediate refuge within a known safe shelter “prior to” the danger being “local”, then a significant reduction

to the risk will be possible

A typical Lightning Management Plan (LMP) for a high value resources operations can be based around a 3

stage strategy.

A “Professional Grade” Lightning Warning System can offer the most appropriate means by which threat

alerts can be determined, which can then trigger an immediate and logic based procedural response.

Higher risk workgroups may require commencement of safe procedures at an earlier alert where appropriate.

Regular unplanned disruptions are an inevitable reality of any Lightning Management Plan, but the durations

of unplanned downtime can be significantly reduced through the application of appropriate technology.

Yellow Alert Lightning within 16-32 km

Orange Alert Lightning within 8-16 km

Red Alert Lightning within 0-8 km

WHAT CONSTITUTES THE ALL-CLEAR CONDITION?

CAUTION MODE EXPIRES WHEN NO LIGHTNING

WITHIN 0 – 32 KM FOR 30 MINUTES

WARNING MODE EXPIRES WHEN NO LIGHTNING WITHIN 0 – 16 KM FOR 30 MINUTES

ALARM MODE EXPIRES WHEN NO LIGHTNING WITHIN 0 – 8 KM FOR 30 MINUTES

LIGHTNING – ITS RISK MECHANISMS

There are several primary mechanisms by which lightning can injure or kill humans.

Direct Strike Where an actual lightning attachment has occurred.

Contact /Touch Potential Where persons are in direct bodily contact with differential voltages.

Side Flash Where lightning current flashes off some object, over to some adjacent object.

Step Potential Where differential voltage gradients exist across a person’s two footed stance.

Upward Streamer Where non-intercepting upward streamers are launched from a person.

Blunt/Burns Trauma Where lightning causes explosion or other debris to be blown off.

EARTH POTENTIAL RISE (EPR)

Wherever lightning current is injected into the earth mass, the area around the strike point

will become highly electrified, resulting in dangerously high levels of Earth Potential Rise

(EPR) that can lead to serious injury or death to any person situated within the “hot zone”

of soil electrification.

EPR is the most significant of all lightning risk mechanisms, with well over 50% of all

lightning fatality and injury statistics being attributed to EPR.

This is despite the common belief that “direct strikes” account for the majority of injury and

fatality statistics.

Person X – The Step Potential

The potential (voltage) differential seen across a

persons normal stepped stance. (4 legged animals have

greater risk of step potential injury)

Person Y – The Contact Potential

The potential differential between contact with ground

and some touchable object.

Person Z – The Touch Potential

The potential differential across a persons body when

in contact with objects at different voltage potentials .

EARTH POTENTIAL RISE (EPR)

.

EARTH POTENTIAL RISE (EPR)

Aug 2016. 323 reindeer killed by a

single lightning strike (and the

resulting EPR) in Norway.

The EPR “Hot zone” estimated to be

25 to 40 mtr radius.

On July 18, 1918, lightning killed 654

head of sheep on Mill Canyon Peak in

Utah.

MANDATED EPR REGULATIONS

EPR is a recognized primary risk within all electrical regulatory requirements worldwide, where EPR controls are mandated for

application within ALL High Voltage (HV) electrical switchyards and other facilities where HV switching operations are undertaken.

In Australia AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS2067, AS/NZS4871.1, AS/NZS2081, ENA EG0 and ENA EG1, all describe the maximum

acceptable “step and touch” potential voltages, where a voltage/time relationship is outlined to determine permissible limits of any

prospective fault current that may be attributed through EPR.

Traditional EPR controls comprise of large buried earth grids that are buried below ground, using large cross sectional area

conductors that are formed and bonded into a large buried mesh across the total extent of the switchyard. All metallic objects within

the switchyard, (including the perimeter fence) are required to be bonded to this buried earth grid. A top layer of high resistance rock

aggregate is then used to help limit fault current at the surface which might be exposed to electrical workers.

And whilst EPR controls are mandated for use in all HV applications, no similar requirements exist for outdoor workers who may be

exposed to Lightning related EPR, despite the known, and ongoing statistics involving lightning EPR and some higher risk activities.

Such activities include :

• Working outdoors in the field. (2 x Farmworkers killed recently Mudgee, Bruce Rock)

• Working with/ trafficking alongside metallic pipelines.

• Working alongside HV Powerlines. ( Recent WA mineworker injury at borefields location adjacent to HV Lines)

• Working with Communications infrastructures and guy wires. ( Australian Mines Elect Supt killed recently Laos)

• Working with long metallic conductors (electrical, communications, data cabling). (2 x Elect workers injured -Pilbara)

• Working with / trafficking alongside metallic fences.

• Working with/ trafficking alongside rail lines/ gantry cranes, etc. (3 recent railway injuries Pilbara , Melbourne)

• Tented exploration camps. (US Camper killed last month NSW and 2 injuries at exploration camp Indonesia)

LIGHTNING INJURY DATA - NORTH AMERICA

US researchers have conducted the most detailed studies, and have collated the best databases, hence USA

data will be represented here.

The North American lightning fatality and injury statistics have been taken over a 6.5 year period, and have

been obtained from an article published by well-known Lightning Safety researcher “Dr Mary Ann Cooper”

within www.emedecine/medscape.com, a highly regarded online medical website.

The results are summarized below in Table 1.

This data would also be representative of Australian statistics, given our similar rates of Ground Flash Density

(GFD) and annual Thunder-days (TD), but would substantially underestimate the proportion of incidents that

would occur in higher lightning areas, such as may be encountered throughout Asia, Africa, and Sth America.

Table 1: Lightning injury data for the USA from 2007 to the present. The probability value

is based on a total population of 300 million. (2014) has only partial data.

LIGHTNING INJURY DATA - NORTH AMERICA

Mills et al (2009) had also published the mean lighting death and injury data rates for Canada for the

period 1986 to 2005.

This data is shown in Table 2.

. Table 2: Mean annual lightning injury data for Canada from 1986 to 2005.

The probability value is based on a total population of 35 million

Similar tables for the Australian statistics aren’t readily available, although we understand that the

corresponding mean numbers for Australian lightning fatality and injury statistics, will be up to 10 deaths,

and over 100 injuries per annum ( AS/NZS1768:2007).

For an Australian population of 22 million people, the probability is roughly 3.4 x 10-6.

We understand that EPR as a risk mechanism is not considered by industry regulators, or collated by the

Australian Bureau of Statistics in their collation of the Australian workplace fatality and injury statistics.

Up until now there has been no commercially available portable EPR control that could help to mitigate

this “Lightning” EPR risk.

LightningMat EPR Safety Mat

Developed in Australia by the presenter in collaboration with leading Australian lightning researcher

“Dr Franco D’Alessandro”, the LightningMat is the first commercially available highly portable EPR risk

mitigation control.

The LightningMat EPR Safety Mat has been developed primarily for an ease of portability, and to

provide a cost effective and innovative means for mitigating EPR hazards to outdoor personnel, who

otherwise may be precluded from any available safe shelter, or who may be exposed to lightning risks

through contact with, or close proximity to EPR sources.

LightningMat uses a three (3) layer flexible mat design, comprising of:

• An upper insulating layer that insulates personnel/and assets from the electrically conductive central layer.

• A central electrically‐conductive mesh layer that rapidly equalizes electrical potential developed upon the mat.

• A lower electrically‐conductive layer that protects the central layer, and provides electrical continuity to the central layer.

LightningMat EPR Safety Mat cross sectional view

LightningMat was judged the Winner of the “2016 IFAP Safety Innovation Award”.

LIGHTNING DETECTION TECHNOLOGIES

• Handheld Detectors – (Thunderbolt 2 and Skyscan )

Detects Cloud to Ground Lightning only

More suitable for use by remote outdoor workgroups

Requires human operator to manage and update threats .

Can be affected by non-lightning noise sources (i.e. Electrical equipment)

• Professional Grade Lightning Warning Systems - (Strike Guard )

Detects “Cloud to Ground” & “Cloud to Cloud” Lightning.

Can be interfaced with Electric Field Mills that can warn of “Pre-Lightning” conditions.

Offers zero % false alarms due to internal coincidence with independent lightning sensor.

Ensures optimum safety, maximum productivity, and minimizes duration of disruptions.

Software for email threat notifications, historical reporting, and “in alert” information.

Technology is site based and is owned by the site.

• Lightning Location Services

Online weather service typically hosted interstate

Offers “geo fencing” of alerts

Relies upon 100% availability of mains power, LAN data, and internet service.

Requires human operator to manage and update threats .

Multiple potential points of failure

Ongoing annual service contracts

STRIKE GUARD LIGHTNING WARNING SYSTEM:

• Optical-coincidence lightning detector

• Fiber optic communications to data receiver and PC.

• External Lightning Sensor operates autonomous of mains power

• Requires no maintenance for three years – no sensor cleaning

• 32 Km detection range. Triggers on 32,16 or 8 Km alerts

• Optional Electric Field Mill integration

• Discrete “systems level” hourly self-test with status indicator

• Strike View Software (for Windows/Linux)

AUTOMATED LIGHTNING THREAT WARNING SYSTEM

• Strike Guard Lightning Data Receiver interprets signals from the

External Lightning Sensor and communicates automatically with the

WAVE Transmitter when lightning is detected within the Alarm

Range.

• WAVE Transmitter uses Wi-Fi communication to trigger WAVE

Siren Stations and Strobes within 5 Km radius.

• WAVE Siren Stations can be solar powered and installed

permanently, or used in mobile applications.

• WAVE Siren Stations activate the Compression Driver Horns and

Strobe light when Alarm is determined.

• The high-Intensity Strobe light provides a continuous indication of

the Alarm state.

• All workers will be immediately aware of the currency of any Alarm

status through the audible alerts and the flashing strobe.

AUDIO AND VISUAL THREAT NOTIFICATIONS

• Configurable for one to four compression-driver horns per siren station.

• Horns generate a 130 decibel sound pressure level at 3 meters.

• Unlimited number of stations can be configured within transmitter range.

• Low frequency, 10 watt RF signals allows for radio communications across elevation changes and rugged topography

• Solar Power offers standalone operation

STRIKE VIEW SOFTWARE INTUITIVE USER INTERFACE

Grant Kirkby

Director

Unit 14, 5 Flindell Street

O’Connor, WA 6163

Telephone: 08 9337 3711

Facsimile: 08 9337 3811

Mobile: 0419 106607

Email: gkirkby@lightningman.com.au

Web: www.lightningman.com.au

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-kirkby-a0a04661