Damage to an 11kV cable was identified during a routine inspection. The outer sheath was damaged when it was hit by an item of mobile plant. The contact was not reported at the time it occurred.
to take reasonable care that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others. When hazards or incidents are not reported this can lead to people being exposed to health and safety risks.
A boilermaker suffered a fractured finger and lacerations when a strong back failed while repairing a dump truck body. The strong back was being used to support a portable hydraulic cylinder to enable repairs.
Recommendations to industry: Temporary items used to support and hold loads must be designed and engineered to prevent injury to workers during their use.
Dangerous incident | SinNot 2018/01409
Summary: A high voltage cable was damaged when it was hit by a longwall roof support being transported to the surface of the mine. The electrical power was not interrupted.
Recommendations to industry: A S195 prohibition notice was issued preventing the mine from transporting supports until a review of procedures and an inspection of the travel route was completed.
Before periods of high traffic of large loads, such as a longwall move, a survey should be conducted to identify any infrastructure exposed to damage. Procedures for loading and transporting should include the maximum height permissible as determined by the survey.
Dangerous incident | SinNot 2018/01408
Summary: A fire occurred on a production drill rig as it was being trammed to the surface of an underground metalliferous mine. The operator noticed a red glow in the engine bay and drove off the decline and then manually activated the onboard fire suppression system. The operator also used a hand-held extinguisher. Initial inspection identified heat damage on a hydraulic hose.
Recommendations to industry: MDG 15 Guideline for mobile and transportable plant for use at mines (other than underground coal mines) 2017 details effective control measures to manage the risk of hoses and pipes creating fuel sources for fires in engine bays.
Dangerous incident | SinNot 2018/01396
Summary: A roof fall occurred at a longwall mine. The fall was about 4 m long x 3 m wide x 3 m high and occurred at the longwall face/belt road corner. The fall occurred after the 8 m cable bolts sheared.
Recommendations to industry: A mine safety inspector was deployed to the site to inspect the area where the fall occurred and assess the mine’s response. Mines must have adequate TARPs in place to effectively react to changing strata conditions. Workers must be trained in these TARPs to ensure they are acted on appropriately.
