Environmental protection, health, and occupational safety initiatives: Reducing filter waste and environmental contamination from oil leaks in coal mining excavators

Abstract

Background: Hazardous and toxic waste contamination in the mining industry is primarily generated from the servicing and maintenance of heavy equipment. One of the key issues in this process is hydraulic oil leaks in excavator units. Additionally, the use of B30 fuel impacts the filter replacement interval, as its lifetime is shorter, thereby contributing to the amount of hazardous and toxic waste. Based on data obtained during the August-November 2023 period, hydraulic system leaks amounted to 4,899 liters. The aim of this study is to assess the implementation of improvement plans aimed at reducing filter waste and environmental contamination caused by oil leaks in excavators. Method: This study is a descriptive quantitative analysis aimed at describing the impact of strategies implemented to reduce filter waste and environmental contamination caused by oil leaks in excavators. The research was conducted at PT. Anteraja Mahada Makmur (PT. AMM) on the jobsite of PT. Multi Harapan Utama (PT. MHU) from August 2023 to March 2024. The variables studied included strategic steps composed of alternative solutions, which serve as the foundation for planning the repair of oil leaks and engine filter damage. The population of the study encompasses all maintenance activities within the company, involving personnel, materials, environment, machinery, and methods. The sample focuses specifically on maintenance activities involving factors that experience deviations, such as personnel, machinery, and methods. Results: The implementation of the improvement plan consists of creating a Standard Form for Follow up suggestion, Creating a special Group for equipment health, Adding a discussion of Plant service H+2 and details of Follow up Equipment Health activities, Cleaning the radiator every 6000 hours by lowering it, Activating tropical spec (+55 degrees) by jumpering CN05 Controller Pump, Installing additional filters to reduce the load on the main filter, Creating Guidance PPM (Machine Inspection Program) and Standardizing Hydraulic Pressure, Sharing Knowledge related to the Hydraulic System, Rebuilding existing tools with available materials, Installing Autodownload VHMS on the Big Digger unit, Developing SS6 for web-based data processing. Conclusion: The implementation of the improvement plan strategy carried out at PT. AMM Site MHU went well and showed maximum results. This can be seen from the positive changes for all elements targeted for improvement (man/workers, machines and methods) which generally have an impact on reducing engine filter waste and environmental contamination due to oil leaks in the excavator unit.