What is a necessary action to take if methane levels rise above precautionary thresholds during hot work?

In the context of Queensland mining law and safety protocols, if methane levels rise above precautionary thresholds during hot work, the necessary action is to stop work and quench the material. This approach is critical because methane is a highly flammable gas, and its accumulation poses a significant risk of fire or explosion. Quenching the material refers to cooling it down or rendering it safe to eliminate any sources of ignition that could lead to an incident.

Ensuring that the work is stopped immediately allows workers to assess the situation safely and implement appropriate safety measures without the ongoing risk of ignition. Furthermore, by quenching the material, it minimizes the potential for escalating the hazard, which could endanger the entire operation and personnel involved in hot work activities.

In considering the other options, continuing work until the end of the shift ignores the immediate danger presented by elevated methane levels and could result in catastrophic outcomes. Increasing ventilation in the area is a necessary measure in many situations, but if the levels are already too high, ventilation alone may not be sufficient to ensure safety. Finally, notifying the management office is essential as a procedural step, but it does not directly address the immediate risk posed by high methane levels. Stopping work and quenching addresses the hazard directly and effectively, hence