1. An Introduction to the Boulby Underground Labs
An Overview of the Health & Safety Structure

2. Boulby - Where? UK’s only operational Potash mine 1100m deep
Shafts sunk 1970

3. Geology
Lias Shales
Bunter sandstone – water bearing strata. Whilst sinking shafts rock had to be frozen due to saturation
Bunter mudstone horizon prevents water ingress
Potash mining horizon ~ 1100m to 1350m

4. Mine Plan 900 kms of tunnels! 8 miles North, 5 miles South Stub 2
Map of the mine excavations
Stub 2
Stub 2a,3
Map of the old Dark Matter
research areas
‘H’ Area
JIF Area
900 kms of tunnels!
8 miles North, 5 miles South

5. The Good Old Days - 1990 B & Q Garden Shed Germanium detector
Liquid Nitrogen Dewars

6. Development of Lab Areas
Mid 90’s – Stub 2 - ZEPLIN experiment
Stub 2a/ Ton Water Tank
Late 90’s – H Area
Home to NAIAD crystals
2002 onwards – JIF Area
1000m2 new lab area housing 2nd Generation dark matter detectors

7. Health & Safety Structure
Figure 1: Interrelationship between stakeholders, relevant safety codes and rulebooks and facility users and experimental projects

8. Stakeholders HM Mines Inspectorate Cleveland Potash Ltd
Boulby Underground Facility Owners & Operators
Experimental Institute H&S Groups
Experimental Group
Power to close Mine
Power to close facility
responsibility to ensure health and safety codes are implemented
responsibility to ensure duty of care is discharged
responsibility to ensure experiments comply with H&S regulations and procedures

9. HM Mines Inspectorate Branch of the Health & Safety Executive
HMI is the authorative body for Mines & Quarries in the UK.
Regular inspections and Boulby Mine.
Has the authority to serve prohibition working notices.
Investigates in event of incident/accidents
HMI has visited the JIF lab area in July 03 and made recommendations.

10. Cleveland Potash Ltd (CPL)
Mine operators.
Authorising agent for Health & Safety on site.
Ultimate Duty of Care resides with CPL.
They have the power to shutdown experiments/or lab areas for breaches in Health & Safety.
The “Managers Rules” are the H & S Boulby.
Frequent ‘Spot Check’ visits

11. Boulby Underground Facility
Boulby Management Board discharges H & S responsibilities to operational team.
Clear communication through regular reporting.
Any disputes between Users & Facility resolved.
Facility owned by University of Sheffield and operated by CCLRC.

12. Boulby Underground Facility Group (BUFG)
Is the sole point of contact between Users and mine operators (designated CPL Manager)
Mechanism to delivery Users needs/requirements.
BUFG ‘Gate Keeper’ for operational safety.

13. Health & Safety Process
HMI recommended mechanism by which CPL had an oversight of science operations.
The Project Implementation Plan (PIP) was born.
All new experiments have to follow this procedure before deployment.
Change Control is part of the process

14. PIP
4. Implementation phase for exp. PIP a ‘living’ document. Change Control forms part of the process
3. Full Study (management of risks, hazards, methods and in the experiment ) approved by Stakeholders including CPL
2. Green Light by BMB for full evaluation
New Experiment – initial evaluation

15. Boulby Safety Panel Meets bi annually.
All Home Institute User groups represented. (Sheffield, CCLRC, Imperial College).
Audit underground visits to Boulby
Form an advisory group in Feasibility stage.

16. Safety Codes Multi layered system.
DM Rules (The Bible) written by JM taking into account CPL Managers Rules (Fire Risk Assess etc)
CCLRC Risk Assessment’s / Method statements for Experiments
COSHH
Radiation Local Rules
Boulby Safety System (daily booklet completed in Mess room prior to work)
On Site practical risk assessment for hostile underground environment.

17. Supervision Again multi layered approach:
Daily Supervisor – appointed by Facility Team. Min. of 50 shifts u/g. Must have passed written exam for competency. Can supervise working people.
Approved Persons – Min. of 20 shifts u/g Must have passed written exam for competency.
New Starts - Close Personal Supervision. Must be within ear / eye shot at all times. < 20 shifts u/g.
Visitors - same as New Starts

18. Problems with u/g lab areas
Mine roof closure – closure rate increased due to unusual geological conditions. Lab reconstruction and relocation of services.
Air-conditioning of labs required. Temps can reach degrees underground.
Power outages – unreliable supply
Materials have to go vertically down 5m wide shaft.
Underground persons limit is 10. Under discussion with CPL.
Ingress of Hydrogen Sulphide gas (replacement of equipment, restrictions to access to labs.)
Salt very soluble – limited use of fresh water.
Salt corrosive atmosphere – regular checking of equipment that travels in and out of the Pit.