Continuous miner strikes roof bolt | Operator receives facial injuries

October 12, 2019 Mining Editor

While the range of incidents involving continuous miners has lessened in recent years, a recent incident has highlighted the potentially serious consequences of miners engaging roof bolts and mesh.

The NSW Resources Regulator reported that an incident occurred when a miner was struck in the face with a nut during cutting when a continuous miner hit a bolt tail.

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It said “While widening a longwall installation face at an underground coal mine, the cutter head of a continuous miner hit a mega bolt tail. The nut from the bolt hit a worker in the face. The worker suffered a fractured sinus bone and was treated in hospital”

The Regulator has released a range of recommendations to industry including that mine operators must assess the risk for tasks and consider the clearance required to operate the equipment.

It said “The risk assessment must also consider where workers are located during the cutting cycle”

CONTINUOUS MINER INCIDENTS – In July last year, a continuous miner driver was knocked unconscious when a rib bolt plate was struck by a continuous miner.

Image: NSW Resources Regulator

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