Weekly incident summary - week ending 3 July 2020
38 reportable incidents, 5 summarised below
|
|
Dangerous incident | IncNot0037646
Underground metals mine
|
|
|
|
Summary: During construction of a fresh air wall, a worker was trimming mesh from a raised work basket. A short piece of mesh, about 35 by 12 millimetres, dislodged and penetrated the eye of another worker below the basket. The worker underwent eye surgery. It was not known if he was wearing safety glasses at the time of the incident.
|
|
|
Comments to industry: No-go zones and safe standing zones for workers must be in place to manage the risk of falling objects and these should be included in work procedures. The importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) cannot be overstressed and it is essential that workers adhere to standard practices such as wearing PPE.
|
|
Dangerous incident | IncNot0037650
Underground metals mine
Principal mining hazard: Ground or strata failure
|
|
|
|
Summary: A worker was hit on the hard hat by falling roof material while installing ground support. The worker believes he was knocked unconscious for about five minutes.
|
|
|
Comments to industry: Procedures for ground support activities should provide instruction that no worker enters an area of unsupported ground. Mine operators must ensure that workers understand and follow the procedures through training and supervision. Machinery should be designed and operated in a way that ensures the operator is not exposed to unsupported ground when accessing the boom with the dolly attached.
|
|
Dangerous incident | IncNot0037659
Open cut coal mine
Principal mining hazard: Roads or other vehicle operating areas
|
|
|
|
Summary: A dozer was pushing on top of a windrow when a rock dislodged from the windrow and fell to the bench below. The rock landed on the catch windrow and came to rest next to the lighting plant. There were workers in the vicinity at the time.
|
|
|
Comments to industry: Work methods must consider the risk of falling material and the locations of people in the vicinity of the work area. Before commencing pushing operations, dozer operators should inspect the work area to identify hazards, such as loose material, that could be dislodged and put others at risk of injury. Mine operators should consider alternative methods of removing material build-up on sides of roads to eliminate the need to push material over windrows.
|
|
Dangerous incident | IncNot0037663
Underground coal mine
Principal mining hazard: Roads or other vehicle operating areas
|
|
|
|
Summary: A rigid tipper truck rolled over after losing traction on an incline and rolling backwards. The driver tried to change down gears but couldn't find the appropriate gear before the truck lost momentum and began to roll backwards. The driver attempted to stop the truck with the foot brake but had no response from the braking system. The truck rode up on the berm at the bottom of the incline and tipped onto its side. The driver was uninjured and was able to exit from the cab. It was dark at the time of the incident.
|
|
Comments to industry: Mine operators must ensure defect reporting and pre-start inspections are being used effectively to maintain safe operating plant.
Safety critical systems such as braking and steering systems should be inspected, maintained and tested in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
|
|
Dangerous incident | IncNot0037685
Open cut construction materials mine
|
|
|
|
Summary: A worker slipped backwards about 60 centimetres from the track of a mobile crushing screen. The worker was alone at the time and was unable to alert anybody for about 30 minutes.
|
|
|
Comments to industry: The cause of this incident was unknown at the time of writing. The incident is under investigation. Mine operators are reminded that they must have systems in place for workers to contact others in the case of an emergency when working alone.
|
|
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
|
|
*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
|
|
|
|
