Weekly incident summary - week ending 19 February 2021
36 reportable incidents, 4 summarised below
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039232
Open cut coal mine
Principal mining hazard: Roads or other vehicle operating areas
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Summary: The drivers of a light vehicle and a haul truck had to take evasive action to avoid colliding at an intersection. The light vehicle driver stated that he did not see the truck.
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Comments to industry: Principal hazard management plans for roads or other vehicle operating areas should consider factors that may affect operator visibility or ability to control a vehicle. Fog, sunlight, storms or dust obstructions can affect lines of sight.
Drivers should be reminded to travel at speeds suitable for the conditions. Vehicle operators need to ensure that windscreens are kept clean to aid visibility. Collision detection and avoidance systems, visual aids and segregation should be implemented before relying on procedural controls.
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039244
Underground metals mine
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Summary: An underground worker sustained two fractures to his leg when he was hit by a chute liner that fell to the ground when a lifting lug on the liner failed. The liner weighed about 205 kilograms.
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Comments to industry: Mine operators must provide safe systems of work. The work methods and controls used must consider the risk of falling material, the positioning of workers, and the use of mechanical aids. Whenever there is a possibility that objects can fall, appropriate no-go zones should be established to protect workers. No-go zones should be clearly delineated and communicated to all workers in the vicinity. When establishing a no-go zone as a control for falling objects, bouncing or ricocheting must be considered.
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039247
Underground metals mine
Principal mining hazard: Mine shafts and winding systems
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Summary: A loader operator who was cleaning the bottom of a shaft discovered a cheese weight had fallen from a friction winder. Approximately 80% of the cheese weight fell from a cage guide rope.
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Comments to industry: Mine operators must ensure that stringent monitoring and quality control of maintenance and repair activities is undertaken on winders. Enough time and resourcing must be allocated for maintenance and repair tasks.
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Dangeros incident | IncNot0039267
Open cut coal mine
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Summary: A worker who was removing a sling from a haul truck was found unconscious on the floor of the workshop.
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Comments to industry: This incident is under investigation and further information may be published at a later date. Mines should have documented procedures for the installation and removal of body slings. When a risk of falling is present, mine operators must assess the risk and minimise the risk of fall by providing adequate protection against falls. Work platforms must be fit for purpose with handrails in place as appropriate. In-house design of work platforms should be done in consultation with the mobile equipment OEM.
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Other publications of interest
These incidents are included for your review. The NSW Resources Regulator does not endorse the findings or recommendations of these incidents. It is your legal duty to exercise due diligence to ensure the business complies with its work health and safety obligations.
National (other, non-fatal)
Publication: Mineral Mines & Quarries Inspectorate Resources Safety QLD
Rockfall injures jumbo operator – Safety alert No.385
A jumbo operator suffered a serious injury (broken rib) when he was struck by a rock that fell from the back (roof) of unsupported ground of an incline. The rock was deflected by partially installed steel mesh, back into and beneath supported ground, where he was inspecting a hydraulic leak on one of the booms of the jumbo.
Details
Publication: Coal Mines Inspectorate Resources Safety QLD
Use / application of polyurethane resin (PUR) in underground coal mines – Safety alert no.387
Operators of underground coal mines should be aware of the capability of polyurethane resins (PUR) to cause heating of coal due to exothermic reaction. It is essential that effective risk control measures are implemented when PUR is used in underground mining operations for the purpose of strata consolidation.
Details
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You can find all our guidance and incident related publications (that is, safety alerts, safety bulletins, incident information releases, weekly incident summaries and investigation reports) on our website: resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au
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*While the majority of incidents are reported and recorded within a week of the event, some are notified outside this time period. The incidents in this report therefore have not necessarily occurred in a one week period. All newly recorded incidents, whatever the incident date, are reviewed by the Chief Inspector and senior staff each week and summarised in this report. For more comprehensive statistical data refer to our Safety Performance Measures Reports and our Business Activity Reports
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