Weekly incident summary
25 October 2019 | ISR19-41 | Go to website
To report an incident call 1300 814 609 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Week ending Friday 18 October 2019
High level summary of emerging trends and our recommendations to operators.
Reportable incidents: 40
Summarised incidents: 6
This incident summary provides information on reportable incidents and safety advice for the NSW mining industry.
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Dangerous incident | IncNot 0035799
Summary: A worker at an underground coal mine suffered an electric shock while standing next to a shuttle car. The worker had one hand in contact with the rib mesh and the other hand touching the shuttle car. An investigation identified that the trailing cable may be non-symmetrical. Further testing of the cable will be carried out at a repair facility.
Recommendations to industry: The electrical engineering control plan for a mine must set out the control measures to manage risk to health and safety from electricity at the mine. Reeling or trailing cables used in the hazardous zone must comply with the requirements of WHS (MPS) Regulations.
Workplace fatality | IncNot 0035801
Summary: A worker has died while operating an excavator. Initial assessment by ambulance officers was that the worker suffered a heart attack.
Recommendations to industry: This matter is under investigation. Further information will be published in due course..
Dangerous incident | IncNot 0035793
Summary: A daily inspection identified a hot bearing in a tension pulley at a tripper drive on an underground coal mine conveyor belt. The belt was immediately shut down, belt tension was removed and the pulley was doused with water. Temperature monitoring did not detect the high temperature.
Recommendations to industry: The mechanical engineering control plan for a mine must set out the control measures to manage risks arising from fires being initiated or fuelled by plant. In developing these control measures, mine operators must take into account the prevention, detection and suppression of fires on conveyors. Mines must have a system to identify and change-out rollers. People conducting inspections must be aware of the increased risk of roller failure at high tension sections of belt.
Dangerous incident | IncNot 0035842
Summary: A worker at an exploration site felt unwell and reported having ‘pins and needles’ sensations. He was transported to hospital and it was later confirmed that he had suffered a stroke. The worker was recovering in hospital.
Recommendations to industry: It has been reported to the regulator that doctors believe it was a medical event and is not work-related.
Dangerous incident | IncNot 0035827
Summary: During a shut-down at a coal preparation plant, two workers were erecting scaffold in an enclosed sump at a wash plant. At this time about 3000 litres of water was released from an overflow at the top of the plant. The level of water in the sump rose dramatically causing the workers to quickly exit the sump as the water rose above the egress point. One worker suffered knee injuries.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators need to be vigilant to ensure that all hazards are identified and appropriate controls are in place to prevent risks to workers while plant maintenance is being carried out.
Consider the possibility of a second means of egress from confined spaces and ensure emergency protocols are in place to reduce the consequences of an inrush event.
Dangerous incident | IncNot 0035831
Summary: A light vehicle with three occupants was returning from the pit at a surface coal mine when it rolled onto its roof on the main access road. Two of the occupants exited the vehicle unharmed while one had to be stabilised before being removed from the vehicle.
It appears that speed was a causal factor in this incident.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review how road rule compliance is assessed and drivers should be reminded to travel at speeds suitable for the conditions.
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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.
International (fatal)
Publication: MSHA
Metal/non-metal mine fatality
On 15 June 2018, a worker fell from a man basket when the weldment securing the basket to the shovel failed. The worker died of his injuries on 27 June 2019.
Details
Publication: MSHA
Mine fatality alert
On 24 June 2019, a contractor fell beneath the wheels of a tractor-trailer that was stuck in the sand. The contractor was walking toward the side of the truck as it was being extracted with a bulldozer. He fell and died at the scene.
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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