Mine Safety News

All the latest news in mine health and safety in NSW

View this email in your browser

20 December 2018

In this issue:

Holiday season arrangements
Causal investigation report - Tahmoor Colliery
Investigation information release - Fall from elevated work platform
C ode of Practice - Electrical engineering control plan
Safety alerts
Reports

As the end of 2018 is fast approaching, the NSW Resources Regulator wants to remind you to put safety first in the busy lead-up to Christmas to prevent workplace fatalities.

We will be closed for normal business services over the holiday period from 5pm Friday 21 December and will reopen on Monday 7 January 2019.

Critical compliance and enforcement activities will still be undertaken during this period and safety incidents should continue to be reported by calling 1300 814 609 or via our online portal.

Please note the next issue of Mine Safety News will be distributed the week commencing 7 January.

Online Portal

Workers trapped in shaft winder - causal investigation report

On 5 September 2018 two workers at Tahmoor Colliery became trapped in the No. 3 shaft friction winder,162 metres below ground, when the electrical protection operated in response to a significant disturbance in the alignment of the balance ropes.

Following the incident and preliminary investigation, the Resources Regulator decided to undertake a causal investigation to better understand the causes of the incident and publish lessons learnt. The causal investigation report and video are available on our website via the link below.

Causal investigation report - Tahmoor Colliery

Fall from elevated work platform

A worker suffered spinal injuries when he fell from the platform of a scissor lift on 29 July 2018.

The worker underwent surgery after the incident and was receiving ongoing medical treatment. The worker died on 14 September 2018.

The NSW Resources Regulator is investigating the incident and will examine whether it was causally connected to the worker’s death.

IIR18-14 - Fall from elevated work platform

Code of practice - Electrical engineering control plan

This NSW code of practice: Electrical engineering control plan is an approved code of practice under section 274 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the WHS Act)

This code of practice provides guidance for mine operators to prepare, implement and review an electrical engineering control plan (EECP) to control risks to health and safety associated with electricity at a mine, as required under the WHS laws.

This code may also be relevant for other duty holders involved with electrical matters at the mine, such as designers and suppliers of plant or contractors, hirers at the mine as well as workers and their representatives.

This code of practice is now available on our website, please click the link below to download the full version.

Code of practice - Electrical engineering control plan