Weekly incident summary - week ending 19 March 2021
42 reportable incidents, 3 summarised below
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039443
Open cut coal mine
Principal mining hazard: Roads or other vehicle operating areas
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Summary: A dozer tipped on its side while in the process of levelling a windrow. The operator was able to exit the machine and sustained no injuries.
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Comments to industry: Workers have a legislative duty to care for their own health and safety and that of others (s28 Work Health and Safety Act 2011). One of the duties is to cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure. Failure to comply with a duty is an offence for which penalties apply.
Site procedures are developed to help protect workers from injury or illness. Where a procedure exists for a particular task, workers should follow the procedure. Any deviation from a procedure should first be discussed with a supervisor and appropriate risk control measures put in place. Refer to safety bulletin SB19-01 Rise in dozer incidents putting operators at risk.
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039450
Underground metals mine
Principal mining hazard: Ground or strata failure
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Summary: A fall of ground occurred across a haul road approximately 300 metres above the mine portal. Two operators were unable to drive out of the pit due to the ramp being blocked. There were no injuries.
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Comments to industry: The fall of ground is currently being investigated and further information may be published at a later date. The mine's emergency plan must identify triggers for activation of the plan, actions to be taken and appropriate rescue equipment must be available. For recommendations in relation to highwall failures, refer to safety bulletin: SB20-01 Failure of highwalls, low walls and dumps.
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Dangerous incident | IncNot0039477
Underground metals mine
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Summary: A worker received an electric shock from an air conditioner controller switch that was housed in a weather-proof enclosure. The subsequent investigation found that the IP rating of the switch did not meet the site standards.
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Comments to industry: Mine operators are reminded of the need to follow introduction to site procedures to ensure second-hand equipment meets the required standards. The Electrical Engineering Control Plan Code of Practice (1.6.8 Acquisition of Plant) states that "the EECP should provide systems to ensure the acquisition of plant includes the processes to verify that any plant, new to the mine, is fit for the intended purpose in the intended operating environment and is safe to use (introduction to mine site)."
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Resources Regulator publications
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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: MSHA
Mine fatality
On 5 March 2021, a miner was fatally injured when the excavator he was operating rolled over into a body of water.
Details
International (other, non-fatal)
Publication: MinEx NZ
Rockfall damages excavator
While an excavator was working at the toe of a bench, a rock fell out of the face hitting the excavator. The excavator was damaged, but no injuries were sustained by the operator.
Details
National (other, non-fatal)
Publication: DMIRS
Radiator blades seriously injures mechanics hand; Significant Incident Report #284
A service mechanic had just completed a general service of a 300 kVA generator, de-isolated it and brought it back online. He then conducted post service inspection and clean up, including wiping oil and grease marks with a rag. When the mechanic leaned into the generator enclosure, with the rag in his hand, it appears the rag and hand, were drawn into the rotating radiator fan blades, causing serious injuries.
Details
Publication: DMIRS
Hazards associated with use of e-cigarette devices; Mines Safety Bulletin #181
There was a report of an incident where an electronic cigarette (ape) battery spontaneously ignited in a worker's pocket, while he was travelling in a ute with two other workers.
Details
Publication: DMIRS
Competency of spotters during mobile load shifting operations; Mines Safety Bulletin #182
Spotters can be an effective control for reducing the risk of an inadvertent impact by operators of mobile load shifting equipment. It is important that they have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to do so competently.
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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