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We released a consolidated report this month that examines risks associated with entanglement at small mines based on findings from a targeted assessment at 48 mines between June 2021 to March 2022.
Key issues identified during the assessment included risks from exposed rotating or moving parts on conveyors located on a mobile crushing plant, insufficient emergency stop functions, poor signage and issues relating to the management of entanglement risks on-site.
We encourage mine operators to read the report and then review their site’s relevant risk assessment in relation to entanglement, including their principal control plans and associated documents.
Significant issues were identified across several sites in relation to:
- emergency stop functions that were not readily available, maintained, tested, appropriate, or installed correctly
- poor standard of signage for emergency stops or isolation points, including colour, durability, visibility, and isolation requirements.
In addition, it was identified that:
- there was no or little documented requirement for plant isolation, including shut down procedures or isolation procedures in place
- documentation relating to the principal control plans were not relevant, current, implemented or readily available
- safeguarding features were missing, allowing access to nip, pinch or shear points
- inspections of safeguarding features were not relevant, current, implemented or readily available
- workers were non-compliant or not familiar with nominated controls
- staff were not included in training related to no-go zones and other entanglement controls.
Access the full report, which includes further details about our inspection program and recommendations to industry.
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Worker burnt during hot work
We've issued a safety alert about an incident earlier this month when a boilermaker suffered facial burns due to ignition of an unidentified flammable substance.
On 7 June, a boilermaker was repairing the boom pivot pin housing on a Caterpillar 6050 face shovel.
The boilermaker was striking an arc on a test piece adjacent to the access point in the superstructure void when a flammable substance ignited, burning his face.
We conducted a site assessment and identified the superstructure void had not been adequately ventilated or purged to remove ignition sources during the repair work.
Read the safety alert for further information about the investigation and recommendations to industry.
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Issues found on forklifts during mine site assessments
We released a safety bulletin this month to raise awareness in the industry about safety issues with forklifts on mine sites.
Our inspectors observed maintenance and operational issues involving forklifts during their recent assessments.
Forklifts are high risk plant and operators need to have an up-to-date high risk forklift license and training.
Drivers need to ensure they are familiar with the controls and to know the forklift’s limitations before operating it. Forklifts are manoeuvrable and compact but they can become unstable under certain conditions and when carrying loads.
It is also important that forklifts are correctly maintained and operators do pre-start checks to ensure the equipment is being used within its design parameters.
Read the safety bulletin for more details about what our inspectors observed, recommendations to industry and details for a pre-start checklist.
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Mobile plant and vehicle fires associated with diesel exhaust treatment
We released a safety bulletin this month to raise awareness in the industry about safety issues about plant and vehicle fires associated with diesel exhaust treatment.
There has been a rise in the number of incidents involving fires that have originated from diesel exhaust treatment systems on mobile plant, including heavy and light vehicles.
Over the past 6 months there were 6 fires where the heat source was either the diesel particulate filter (DPF) or catalytic converter.
Read the safety bulletin for more details about what our inspectors observed and recommendations to industry.
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Work health and safety reports can now be submitted online
The annual work health and safety reports for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 are now available on the Regulator Portal for mine operators to submit.
You will see a list of due reports for the mine/s that your email address is authorised to notify. Reports must be submitted for the financial year within 30 days after June 30 every year.
Certain mine operators are not required to submit a report. For example, operators of exploration sites or non-coal mines where the total number of hours worked at the mine during the relevant financial year was less than 10,000 hours. Your response to the Resources Regulator Portal questions will assist you in determining if a report is required.
Please refer to our website, and guide for more information about work health and safety reports.
Please contact us via cau@regional.nsw.gov.au for any inquiries or to advise of any changes to your information.
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Ben Withers - new role as Principal Inspector CAU
There have been changes to the Central Assessment Unit, with Ben Withers now the Principal Inspector of the CAU.
This team of multidisciplinary inspectors and support staff provide centralised reporting and management of incidents through a single point of contact to ensure a consistent application of the triage approach to response, investigation and follow up.
Ben has worked for the Regulator for more than 18 months, joining in the role of mechanical engineering inspector for the CAU.
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Dwaine Jones - new role as Principal Inspector Mechanical Engineer
Dwaine Jones is now the Principal Inspector Mechanical Engineering. Dwaine has worked for the NSW Resources Regulator for more than 4 years, joining in the role of Inspector, Mechanical Engineering for the small mines team before joining the coal team.
The Mechanical Engineering team provides technical leadership and advice on mechanical engineering related to mining across all NSW mine and petroleum sites.
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Dan Bolton - new role as Principal Inspector Small Mines
Dan Bolton has recently started as Principal Inspector Small Mines. The small mines and quarries sector includes quarries, surface metalliferous, alluvial and gemstone mines as well as dredging operations.
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Peak Gold Mine Investigation Information Release (IIR)
We have completed an Investigation Information Release (IIR) into an incident at Peak Gold Mine last month where there was an unexpected initiation of electronic explosive detonators.
The misfire incident occurred at Peak Gold Mine’s New Cobar and Chesney site on 18 May 2022. No-one was in the vicinity of the misfire and no-one was injured.
Details about the incident and recommendations to industry are available in the IIR.
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Have your say: Proposed WHS (MPS) Regulation 2022
We are seeking feedback on the proposed Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2022.
The proposed Regulation will re-make the existing Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2014 with some amendments, as part of the staged repeal of statutory rules under the Subordinate Legislation Act 1989.
The proposed Regulation and RIS are currently on public exhibition and are available for inspection on our consultation webpage.
Written comments and submissions can be emailed to meg.policy@regional.nsw.gov.au. Submissions close 5pm, Friday 8 July 2022.
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Opal mining safety workshop - White Cliffs
This safety awareness course has been combined with the mine operators’ workshop. It covers the knowledge and skills required to be a mine operator at an opal mine, including safety policy, hazard identification, maintenance, risk management, people management, emergency response plans and contractors.
Details are below:
- Wednesday 27 July 2022
- 8:30am - 5:00pm
- Bill O'Reilly Oval, Beth Street, White Cliffs
More information is available on our website.
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MESS 2022 - tickets selling fast
Tickets are selling fast to the 30th Mechanical Engineering Safety Seminar (MESS) to be held on 10 - 11 August, 2022 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.
The 2-day seminar focuses on mechanical safety and health issues in mines and provides a means for collective communication, discussion and consultation of those issues between engineers and other key stakeholders.
There are a range of ticket options for guests across the 2-day seminar. Limited tickets available.
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In case you missed it...
The following are recent publications and updates available on our website:
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