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Mine Safety News archive
3 February 2022
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Report released into death of opal miner at Grawin Opal fields in October 2020

An investigation report and incident animation video have been released in relation to the death of Mr Brian Bryant on 14 October 2020 at an opal mine within the Grawin Opal Fields, near Lightning Ridge.

Mr Bryant sustained fatal injuries when working at the opal mine and the Regulator’s investigation found that the risks associated with working at heights had not been adequately assessed and an appropriate working at heights system was not installed at the mine.

The report describes the investigation conducted by the Regulator into the circumstances of the fatality and provides the investigation findings and recommendations to industry.

For more information regarding this incident please refer to the full investigation report and the incident animation video.

Incident animation video

Decision to reject a WHS undertaking given by Endeavour Coal

The NSW Resources Regulator has rejected the WHS undertaking given by Endeavour Coal in relation to a June 2019 incident that resulted in a worker suffering serious injuries to his toes and foot.

On 8 June 2019, a 58-year-old labour-hire worker suffered serious injuries to his toes and foot when it became trapped in a scraper conveyor while working underground at Appin North Mine, of the Appin Colliery, near Appin NSW.

On 22 April 2021, the Regulator commenced prosecution proceedings in the District Court in relation to the incident, alleging that Endeavour Coal had contravened section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, by failing to comply with a health and safety duty under section 19 of the Act (Category 2).

On 3 December 2021, Endeavour Coal submitted a draft WHS undertaking proposal to the Regulator.

Under section 216 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the Regulator decided to reject the WHS undertaking given by Endeavour Coal. The Regulator decided the WHS undertaking does not satisfactorily reflect the objective seriousness of the alleged WHS offence nor does it bring with it both general and specific deterrence commensurate with that objective seriousness as prosecution proceedings would.

For more information see:

Enforceable undertakings (WHS)

Certificate of conformity condition on Design Registrations for Explosion Protected Diesel Engine Systems (ExDES)

Are you involved with the management and maintenance of diesel-powered equipment used in coal mines?

We want to draw attention to the following condition which is contained in most Explosion Protected Diesel Engine Systems (ExDES) design registrations.

"The registration holder must certify in writing that each diesel engine system conforms to the Notice of Registration of Plant Design (Diesel Engine System)."

We have further information on our website about the certificate of conformity (CoC) as it relates to ExDES. 

Further information

Lightning Ridge information sessions in March

We are holding information sessions in March in Lightning Ridge for opal miners to learn more about safety and to improve their environmental awareness.  

The Opal Mining Safety Workshop will be held on 22 and 23 March and covers the knowledge and skills required to be a mine operator at an opal mine. Topics include safety policy, hazard identification, maintenance, risk management, people management, emergency response plans and contractors.

The Lightning Ridge environmental awareness course will be held on 24 March and will include an overview on how to minimise damage to the environment while conducting exploration and mining activities.

Visit our website for information about the Opal Mining Safety Workshop and the Lightning Ridge environmental awareness course
 
Visit the events page
2022 Small Mines Roadshow - tickets now available

2022 Small Mines Roadshow - tickets now available

Tickets are now available for our annual health and safety roadshow for small mines and quarries, held across NSW during February, March and April 2022.

These free, full-day workshops provide valuable information and resources to the small mines' sector that will assist you to maintain safe mining practices and also provide an opportunity for face-to-face engagement with the Regulator.

Limited tickets are available at the following regional locations:

Read more and register

New sexual harassment resources available

Safe Work Australia has developed new infographics to complement the workplace sexual harassment guidance material it published last year.

The materials provide guidance to anyone who has a WHS duty to protect the health and safety of workers. More information is available on the Safe Work website

Safe Work resources
In case you missed it...

In case you missed it...

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