Safety alert: Dangers of lifting and pulling activities

Two workers were injured within 3 days in lifting and pulling activities at 2 NSW underground coal mines.

In the first incident, a worker was loosening pins to separate a longwall tailgate drive from roof supports when the chain and hook slipped off the pin and flung upwards, striking him on the cheek.

In the second incident, the shovel of a continuous miner was chained to the cutter boom to enable tramming for repairs. The chain failed and hit a worker on the face and shoulder.

The Regulator urges mine operators to ensure all relevant people in their organisation receive a copy of the safety alert and are informed of its content. The alert should also be placed in the mine’s common area, such as on a notice board, where appropriate.

Safety alert: Service brakes fail on dump truck

The Regulator has released a safety alert after the service brakes on a Caterpillar 740 articulated ejector truck failed and it rolled backwards for 49 metres.

The loaded truck had a faulty fuel gauge, ran out of fuel and shut down while ascending a 10% gradient. It was only brought to rest when the park brake was activated.

Service braking systems on mobile plant are safety critical systems; their failure has potential for fatal consequences. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining hydraulic accumulators on service and secondary braking systems, and ensuring identified defects are assessed and repaired in a timely manner.

The Regulator urges mine operators to ensure all relevant people in their organisation receive a copy of the alert and are informed of its content. It should also be placed in the mine’s common area, such as on a notice board, where appropriate.

New report explores automation risk in mining 

A research report investigating the most effective means of identifying risks associated with human-system interactions in remote and autonomous mining operations is now available on the Regulator’s website.

The report, prepared by the University of Queensland, was required as an enforceable term of a WHS undertaking by Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd relating to an incident in April 2018.

Four hazard identification methods were assessed across 3 case studies – human-autonomous surface haulage interactions, autonomous longwall mining and remote control of processing plants.

Last chance to secure EESS tickets

The agenda for the Regulator’s 2-day Electrical Engineering Safety Seminar (EESS) is now available. 

The seminar will be held 9-10 November at the Sofitel Wentworth Sydney to share experiences, insights and learnings on electrical engineering safety and health issues in mines. 

There are a range of tickets available, including full seminar tickets (2-day pass plus seminar dinner on the 9 November) and single day passes.  

• Read the agenda 

Deputy Certificate of Competence oral exam briefing sessions

Briefing sessions will held next month to help new and existing Deputy Certificate of Competence candidates prepare for their oral exam. 

Presented by the convenor, there is 1 online and 3 face-to-face presentations to choose from – click on the link to register: 

• Tuesday 15 November 2022 - Ulan West Operations, Ulan Ulan 

• Wednesday 16 November 2022 - South Mines Rescue Station, Woonoona 

• Thursday 17 November 2022 - NSW Resources Regulator, Maitland and via Zoom Online 

All sessions run from 10am to 11:30am and include an opportunity for questions and discussion. 

MEMSS well attended 

The second annual Mining Engineering Manager Safety Seminar (MEMSS) was held on the 12-13 October 2022 in Sydney. The seminar was well attended by industry representatives from across all forms of mining in NSW, including quarries, coal and metalliferous mines. 

Although a wide range of presentations were given, 2 key themes were addressed throughout the two days – the need to focus on higher order controls for the long term WHS performance of the industry and the importance of mental health of workers. Videos of the presentations will be made available on the Regulator’s website in the coming weeks. 

Feedback on the seminar was very positive, with the vast majority of attendees rating their experience as very good to excellent. 

Thank you to the industry presenters who volunteered their time to ensure the event was a success, together with those who attended. 

Winding systems meeting in Lightning Ridge 

The Regulator recently hosted a forum for opal miners at Lightning Ridge. The forum covered changes to the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2022, which have direct provisions for winders, including gemstone hoists.

The change relating to hoists aims to simplify the legislation and means gemstone hoists no longer need to be design or item registered with the Resources Regulator.

Principal Inspector Dwaine Jones welcomed attendees before a presentation from Inspector Jeremy U’Brien, who explored the change in practical terms and touched on requirements for conveyances, frame, brakes, ropes, guarding and controls.

Hoist design elements, including electrical and mechanical safety systems, were discussed, as well as questions relating to existing item and design registration status.

A number of miners invited inspectors to view their winders to seek specific guidance for compliance. Forecast heavy rain meant some had already left Lightning Ridge, however the forum was well attended with over 30 participants.

Have your say: Safety seminars

Today is the last day to give feedback on whether you would like to see the Regulator merge its 3 annual safety seminars into one major industry event, the Resources Regulator Safety Seminar, in 2023/2024.

The concept would combines the Mechanical Engineering Safety Seminar (MESS), Mining Engineering Managers’ Safety Seminar (MEMSS) and Electrical Engineering Safety Seminar (EESS).

Read more about the proposal here or give your feedback in this short survey.

Upcoming events 

Electrical Engineering Safety Seminar - 9-10 November 2022
A 2-day seminar focussed on electrical engineering safety and health issues in mines, providing a means for collective communication, discussion and consultation. Find out more.

MISHEF - 16 November 2022

The Metalliferous Industry Safety and Health Engagement Forum (MISHEF) will be held on 16 November 2022 in Dubbo and Broken Hill to share knowledge across the metalliferous mining industry.

In case you missed it...

The following are recent publications and updates available on our website:

• Targeted intervention program: Underground coal – ground or strata failure
• Policy: Suspension of mining operations
• Form: Quarry manager practising certificate with conditions for tier 2 quarries
• Guide: Quarry manager practising certificate with conditions for tier 2 quarries
• Guide: Applying for a Certificate of Competence
• Prerequisites and written exam details - quarry manager of mines other than underground or coal mines
• Fact sheet: Prospecting on a mining lease