Significant dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00337
Summary: A 25 m length of conveyor gantry that was suspended 30 m in the air collapsed. The gantry collapse caused damage to other areas along the length of the conveyor. It was about two to three years old. The conveyor passed over a roadway on the site.
Recommendations to industry: Structural integrity audits should be conducted as required. Mine operators should have plans in place if failures of this nature impact on public infrastructure, including train lines and roads.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00335
Summary: While in the process of installing ground support with a jumbo, the bolts of the roll-over assembly of the boom broke. This resulted in the boom falling approximately 2 m. There was an operator standing about 2 m away, which was outside the exclusion zone. All other jumbos on the site were stopped and inspected by the maintenance team before recommencing operation.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review exclusion zones to ensure failures of pivot points and subsequent falling of equipment are considered.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00334
Summary: A piece of steel weighing about 0.5 kg fell about 4 m and hit a worker on the head. The worker was wearing a hard hat. The worker went to first aid but received no treatment as no injury occurred.
Recommendations to industry: Structural integrity audits need to be conducted both in new parts of plant as well as old redundant parts of plant. Demarcation of high-risk areas should be completed if the hazard cannot be removed.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00311
Summary: A tool carrier was tramming from the portal into the mine, when the operator felt the brake pedal lose pressure. The operator used the forks as a breaking method, and the operator came to a stop in the next level. The operator parked the machine, and applied chocks. There was a trail of oil located on the decline.
Recommendations to industry: Pre-use inspections should be reviewed to ensure any leaking fluids are identified. Mine operators should ensure all operators are trained in what do to in the case of brake failure on declines.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00300
Summary: A driller and offsider were reloading drill rods onto a carousel when the first rod fell through a hole in the deck. The offsider stepped in to retrieve the drill rod without clear communication between himself and the driller. The driller was operating a gripper arm that swung around and hit the offsider in the lower ribs. The offsider was X-rayed and cleared of injury.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review how “clear communication” between a machine operator and offsider is made. This is the second serious incident within a few weeks contributed to by poor communication. Mine operators should also review under what circumstances and controls workers can enter “no go zones”.
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