Dangerous incident | Underground metalliferous mine |IncNot 0036585
Summary: An integrated tool carrier (IT) was being used by a charge-up crew when they noticed a flame on the right-hand side of the engine. The onboard fire suppression system was activated manually, which extinguished the fire. The IT was hosed down to extinguish smoldering cladding that was surrounding the exhaust system.
The mine’s initial investigation identified an overflow or leak in the coolant system that doused the exhaust lagging with coolant. The coolant containing glycol, or similar chemical, can be flammable when dried.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators must ensure safe maintenance systems of plant. Pre-use inspections should be reviewed to ensure any leaking fluids are identified before the machines are operated.
For further information refer to the recently published position paper Preventing fires on mobile plant.
Dangerous incident | Surface coal mine|IncNot 0036586
Summary: A dozer was working next to the dragline when the driver smelled fumes. The operator pulled the dozer back and saw smoke coming from the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished using a hand-held fire extinguisher.
The mine’s initial observation identified that the hydraulic pilot filter came loose, which allowed oil mist to be drawn into the engine compartment and made contact with hot surfaces.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators must ensure that stringent monitoring and quality control of maintenance and repair activities are undertaken to prevent fires on mobile plant.
Enough time and resourcing must also be allocated for maintenance and repair tasks.For further information read: Preventing fires on mobile plant.
Dangerous incident |Surface coal mine|IncNot 0036629
Summary:
A light vehicle operator drove off an open edge (inactive shovel face) and the vehicle fell about 14 metres. The driver had been conducting blast sentry clearance. A bund across the road leading to the inactive face had been opened-up to allow two drill rigs to tram from the blast area. The bund was not replaced, and no other barricade was put in place to prevent vehicle access to the area. The area had previously been a roadway before being excavated.
The vehicle landed nose first before coming to rest on its roof. The driver exited the vehicle and called the emergency response crew who stabilised the driver until the ambulance arrived. The driver was taken to hospital and cleared of any injuries.
Recommendations to industry: The incident is currently under investigation by the Major Investigation Unit. Information will be published shortly.
Dangerous incident | Surface coal mine|IncNot 0036633
Summary: A slip in a 60 metre highwall resulted in about 2500 cubic metres (m3) of material falling to the ground. The dimensions were about 45 metres high with the maximum extent from the highwall toe of 10-15 metres. A catch windrow was in place under the highwall about 10 metres from the highwall toe. The slip was noticed early enough to remove all workers from the area before the material fell to the ground.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators must have safe systems of work in place to inspect highwalls. These inspections must consider - weathering effects, ground water and conditions that affect the high wall stability.
Following several incidents where people and equipment have been exposed to significant health and safety risks as a result of highwalls, low walls and dumps failing, the NSW Resources Regulator has published Safety Bulletin SB20-01 Failure of highwalls, low walls and dumps. Operators should take note of the recommendations in this bulletin.
Dangerous incident | Underground coal mine|IncNot 0036620
Summary: While towing a breaker feeder out of a mine (on a sled) using two load haul dump machines (LHDs), the breaker feeder became stuck on a corner. Workers repositioned slings to pull the feeder further away from the rib then reconfigured them for a straight tow. The lead LHD was parked with the motor running, park brake on and the foot brake applied. When the operator released the foot brake, the machine rolled backwards about 0.5 metres and was stopped by the operator reapplying the foot brake. No workers were at risk and the fault was repeatable.
Recommendations to industry: When towing large equipment underground, the route should be planned to identify tight areas beforehand.
Safety critical systems such as braking and steering systems should be inspected, maintained and tested in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
ISR20-05 | Go to website
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