Weekly incident summary - week ending 22 January 2021
35 reportable incidents, 6 summarised below
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039042
Underground coal mine
Principal mining hazard: Hazards identified by mine operator
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Summary: An operator was using a rib bolter when he was sprayed with hydraulic oil, under pressure. The worker was standing 1.2 metres away from the loose hydraulic fitting when the oil was released.
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Comments to industry: The mine has identified that the hose had come loose during operation, likely caused by spall material on the floor. Maintenance and inspection schemes should be designed to maintain work areas free of foreign material and to identify missing or defective guarding.
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039050
Open cut coal mine
Principal mining hazard: Hazards identified by mine operator
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Summary: A worker conducting electrical testing and tagging work has received an electric shock when he contacted a float switch with a control circuit of 240V AC.
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Comments to industry: Mine operators should seek every opportunity to apply the hierarchy of controls when managing electrical equipment in harsh environments. The use of extra low voltage electrical equipment and field devices considerably reduces the risks associated with electric shock. Where this control cannot be applied, the maintenance of the ingress protection (IP) rating for the electrical equipment should be paramount.
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039053
Small mine
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Summary: A worker, while attempting to attach his harness to a mobile crushing screen, has slipped and landed heavily on the ground. The worker sustained a fractured pelvis.
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Comments to industry: Mine operators are reminded that they have specific obligations under the WHS Regulations to manage the risk of a fall by a person. This includes having suitably rated attachment points for lanyards. Work positioning systems require a high level of competency on the part of the user and supervisor to ensure safe use. Users should undertake competency-based training on work positioning systems. This training should include the selection of the correct harness and lanyard type. For more information about working at heights please refer to the Code of Practice, Managing the risk of falls at workplaces.
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039061
Underground coal mine
Principal mining hazard: Hazards identified by mine operator
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Summary: While filling a void over a tailgate drive, a worker was sprayed with resin product when it released under pressure.
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Comments to industry: Safe work procedures for operating equipment under pressure should include provision for managing blockages and dissipation of pressure. This is especially important when there is the potential for unexpected stored energy, associated with blockages, to be released without warning.
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039070
Open cut coal mine
Principal mining hazard: Roads or other vehicle operating areas
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Summary: An operator driving a fully loaded dump truck was descending a ramp when the truck has veered into a windrow and rolled onto its side.
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Comments to industry: Mine operators should reinforce the application of procedures, including fatigue management, use of mobile phones and compliance with speed signs.
Equipment operators must maintain situational awareness and remain vigilant of the risk of machine rollovers. This incident underpins the importance of wearing seatbelts as a mitigating control. When planning tasks and travel paths, supervisors must consider rollover hazards. Refer to Safety Bulletin: SB17-01 Industry reports more truck rollover incidents.
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039071
Underground coal mine
Principal mining hazard: Fire or explosion
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Summary: A fire has occurred underground when an LHD has run over a battery-powered drill. The drill fell on the roadway after it was left on some poly pipe.
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Comments to industry: Mine operators should review their safety management system to ensure the risks associated with the use of battery powered portable electrical apparatus have been addressed. Risk assessments should consider:
- manufacturers safety information
- suitability of battery charging equipment and location
- transport and storage of batteries
- suitability of the equipment for the environment
- control of batteries in underground parts of the mine and hazardous areas including permit systems, operator competency, chain of custody and transport and storage conditions
- inspection regimes and regimes for removing batteries from service and lost or damaged equipment.
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Resources Regulator publications
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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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