Summary: A shaft winder tripped a limit, stopping it approximately 5 m below the No 9 level plat. One worker was in the man cage at the time. He was not injured. The site’s mines rescue team was activated. A ladder was used to extricate the worker from the man cage.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review the preventive maintenance strategies relating to winder controls, including all field devices. This should include regular testing of all equipment and safety devices. Before resetting winder faults, a thorough investigation should be completed by a competent person. Mines should review winder risk assessment and operating procedures to ensure emergency scenarios are adequately addressed. This is especially important for scenarios where workers are in the cage when there is a failure of the winder control systems. Mines should review their emergency management plans to include if and when external rescue resources are notified and mobilised for different scenarios.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review the preventive maintenance strategies relating to winder controls, including all field devices. This should include regular testing of all equipment and safety devices. Before resetting winder faults, a thorough investigation should be completed by a competent person. Mines should review winder risk assessment and operating procedures to ensure emergency scenarios are adequately addressed. This is especially important for scenarios where workers are in the cage when there is a failure of the winder control systems. Mines should review their emergency management plans to include if and when external rescue resources are notified and mobilised for different scenarios.
