Weekly incident summary - week ending 24 January 2020
33 reportable incidents, 5 summarised below
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Serious injury | Mine processing plant|IncNot 0036563
Summary: A worker was cleaning within a lime hydration plant when he ingested hydrated lime.The mine’s early investigation found that the worker caused hydrated lime to become airborne and he inhaled the substance. The worker was taken to hospital, where it was confirmed he had suffered a corrosive throat injury.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators are reminded that they must provide and maintain safe systems of work. Workers are reminded that correct personal protection equipment (PPE) must be worn in areas designated by the mine operator. Respiratory protective equipment is the last line of defence in the control of airborne dust inhalation.
Dangerous incident | Quarry|IncNot 0036553
Summary: A dump truck operator smelled fuel during mining operations. The operator drove the truck to where a maintenance fitter was located, before parking the machine.The fitter saw smoke and attempted to put the fire out with an extinguisher. A water cart attended and extinguished the fire. A mine investigation identified there was fuel near the turbo, and a fuel line was damaged. It was also identified that there was no fire suppression system fitted to the truck.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators must remind machine operators that they are to stop and call for assistance when they identify any abnormal conditions such as smelling fuel or smoke. Fires on mobile plant are a known risk to workers and this risk is preventable. MDG 15 recommends that designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers should undertake an assessment of all fire risks.
For further information read:
Dangerous incident | Coal preparation plant| IncNot 0036555
Summary: An electrician was in the process of replacing a faded out-of-service tag on a disconnected 415-volt lighting cable when he suffered an electric shock. The electrician was treated following the mine’s site protocol. The mine investigation identified that the circuit was still energised and had not been correctly isolated at the supply source.
Recommendations to industry: Coal operators should review the adequacy and reliability of the risk controls that are implemented at their sites to prevent electric shocks. Electricians are reminded to prove that the circuit is dead before making any contact with it.
Dangerous incident | Underground metalliferous mine|IncNot 0036558
Summary: During mining operations, a haul truck operator saw smoke, and then flames. He parked the truck and activated the fire suppression system. With the help of another two workers, they extinguished the fire with hand-held extinguishers. The fire was in the engine bay and articulation point of the truck.The mine investigation identified the cause of the fire as a failure of a driveline bearing. The truck had recently returned from a transmission rebuild.
Recommendations to industry: Following maintenance and repairs to mobile plant, the plant should be inspected, tested and verified as fit-for-purpose. Mobile plant should have suitable maintenance schedules that take into consideration condition and hours of operation.
Dangerous incident | Underground coal mine | IncNot 0036556
Summary: A worker suffered an electric shock while holding the hand rail of a continuous miner and making contact with a rib bolt. The worker was treated following the mine’s electric shock protocol. The mine’s investigation was unable to identify the cause of the shock. The miner cables were sent for further testing.
Recommendations to industry: The electrical engineering control plan for a mine must set out the control measures to manage risks to health and safety from electricity at each mine. Reeling or trailing cables used in hazardous zones must comply with the requirements of Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation.
ISR20-04 | Go to website
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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
Metal/non-metal mine fatality (final report)
While spotting for a dump truck, a contractor stepped directly into the path of a bulldozer and died at the scene. The incident occurred on November 16, 2019.
Details
Publication: MSHA
Metal/non-metal mine fatality (final report)
A miner fell into a portable load-out bin on January 8, 2020 and died at the scene.
Details
National (fatal)
Publication: Safework NSW
Telehandler fatality
A 24-year-old man was killed near Gundagai after being hit by the boom of a telehandler, while riding outside of the cabin.
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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