Weekly incident summary - week ending 26 June 2020
27 reportable incidents, 3 summarised below
|
|
Dangerous incident | IncNot0037626
Underground coal mine
Principal mining hazard: Ground or strata failure
|
|
|
Summary: Following a goaf collapse in an underground coal mine, a considerable volume of air was expelled outbye along the return roadways of a partial pillar extraction operation.
Instead of the air returning via the same pathway, it was drawn at considerable velocity from the intake side of the workings. This caused several workers to be knocked to the ground.
|
|
Comments to industry: Mine operators should consider the potential impacts of secondary goaf formations when extraction is occurring in, and around, areas of structured geology.
An assessment of these areas should be carried out by a suitably qualified geotechnical engineer. Their recommendations should be considered when developing and/or reviewing the manner and sequence of extraction.
|
|
Dangerous incident | IncNot0037610
Underground metals mine
Principal mining hazard: Roads or other vehicle operating areas
|
|
|
|
Summary: A loader was towing a skid-mounted sub-station that was fitted with temporary wheels. The sub-station was being towed to the surface. After exiting the portal on the surface, the skid detached from the loader and rolled about 50 metres before striking a scrap steel area.
|
|
Comments to industry: Mine operators should review their procedures to determine if their training includes the potential hazards associated with towing.
When connecting a trailer to a towing vehicle, ensure that the trailer is securely attached and held in position. Safety chains or similar should be attached between the trailer and the towing vehicle.
Driving at a low speed is not an adequate control when towing a trailer that is not securely attached to the towing vehicle.
|
|
Dangerous incident | IncNot0037618
Underground coal mine
|
|
|
Summary: An underground mine worker was hit in the face by a drill steel, causing a laceration to the left-hand side of his nose and cheek. The worker was attempting to extract a drill steel that was stuck in a concrete floor.
The worker attached a sling to the steel and used a chain block to try to pull the steel free. The drill steel was almost released, but the tip of the steel was caught on the lip of the hole. The worker positioned himself to manually pull on the steel but failed to release the pressure being applied by the chain block. As he pulled on the drill steel, it released and hit him.
|
|
|
Comments to industry: Mine operators should review how workers and supervisors are trained to recognise the potential hazards associated with all energy sources, including the stresses and strains introduced by lifting equipment. This is especially important when there is the potential for stored energy to be released without warning.
|
|
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
Recent increase in ‘falling from heights’ incidents – Safety Alert
A total of 28 workers have died after falling from heights over the past ten years. Deaths from falls in mining have increased from 8% to 19% in the past two years. The most common tasks leading to incidents were:
- working without fall protection on top of trucks, in aerial lift baskets and while accessing and egressing other mobile equipment
- while performing maintenance on crushers, screens, conveyors, and other milling equipment.
Details
|
|
|
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
|
|
*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
|
|
|
|
