Weekly incident summary - week ending 4 November 2022
27 reportable incidents, 2 summarised below
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0043352
Construction materials
Roads or other vehicle operating areas
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Summary: Three teenagers were injured when an all-terrain vehicle rolled in a quarry. The quarry was on private land and there were numerous potential access points. Two of the teenagers were treated for minor injuries and a third suffered severe abdominal injuries after being pinned under the vehicle.
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Recommendations to industry: All mines and quarries must have adequate site security. Where gates are required, they must be used and secured to prevent unauthorised access. Additional information may be published as required. This incident is the subject of an ongoing investigation.
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Serious injury | IncNot0043348
Underground metals mine
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Summary: A worker was taken to hospital after feeling unwell. The worker was assisting in a breakdown midway through a shift in an underground metalliferous mine. The area had a wet bulb temperature of 27 degrees and 31 degrees dry bulb. The worker began to feel nauseous and had a headache. When the symptoms became worse, the worker told an operator, who contacted a supervisor. The worker was taken to the surface, assessed and then taken to hospital. The worker was released later that day after receiving fluids.
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Recommendations to industry: Workers must manage their hydration and only attend work when fit to do so. Training must be provided to ensure workers are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heat-related illness and seek help if required. Supervisors must monitor workplaces for adequate ventilation and areas of high temperature.
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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: Energy Safety Canada
During drilling activities in a deep well, a significantly damaged I-beam below the drilling rig crown block was identified when a melted piece of metal fell to the rig floor. The drill line was spooled incorrectly and had cut almost completely through the I-beam, which was below the crown block and water table. This could have led to a serious incident.
Details
Publication: WorkSafe NZ
On 8 July 2022 at 10.55pm, 2 tunnel workers observed smoke emerging out of a heavy-duty steel toolbox that was stored underground. A third worker radioed in for assistance in extinguishing the fire. A worker started to remove tools and other gear from the toolbox while the 2 other workers obtained a 9 kg dry powder extinguisher. The worker who was removing tools and gear from the toolbox observed sparks flying towards them. They stepped back and, after using the extinguisher, the fire was thought to have been put out. However, the tool sparked a fire for the second time. The workers closed the toolbox lid and a leading hand arrived at the scene with a second 9 kg dry powder extinguisher. Workers opened the lid using scaffold tubes and the fire was extinguished a second time. Workers started removing tools out of the toolbox and placed them on a nearby scaffold. Upon removing, workers found a 6V Hilti Lithium Battery 822 5.2 Li-Ion melted (connected) to a Hilti Sabre Saw SR6–A22.
Details
National (other, non-fatal)
Publication: Resources Health & Safety Queensland
Mines in Queensland do not operate heavy machinery and vehicles outdoors while lightning is present. However, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is aware that some mines have recently introduced (or are proposing to introduce) amendments to their safety and health management systems to allow operations to continue during lightning. It is contended by these mine operators that the outer metal skin of the vehicle's cabin acts like a Faraday cage and protects the operator from potential electrocution. RSHQ engaged the University of Queensland to provide a report assessing the safety risks to operators of heavy machinery and emergency response teams working during lightning.
Details
Publication: WA Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety
Incidents have recently occurred when plant has been used to lift, lower or suspend loads near workers. Incidents have resulted in serious injuries and fatalities. Contributory factors vary between incidents but include a lack of planning to develop a safe system of work that considers exclusion zones, designated lifting areas and control or elimination of simultaneous activities within the lifting area, failure of lifting equipment, lack of information and training and inadequate supervision.
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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