Dangerous incident
Summary: A mining haul truck operator reportedly lost steering. After trying to turn both ways he applied the brake. The truck ran into a windrow.
Recommendations to industry: Hazard: velocity/inertia of vehicles.
Risk: harm to people from the unexpected movement of mobile plant.
Recommendations:
The steering system is a safety critical system that is fundamental to the safe operation of mobile plant.
Recommendations to industry: Hazard: velocity/inertia of vehicles.
Risk: harm to people from the unexpected movement of mobile plant.
Recommendations:
The steering system is a safety critical system that is fundamental to the safe operation of mobile plant.
- Steering systems should be maintained to achieve the highest degree of reliability over the mobile plant’s lifecycle.
- Steering systems should be maintained in accordance with the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) information.
- Assess steering failure risks by considering failure modes of steering systems.
- Carry out daily prestart safety checks.
- Mobile plant operators should be familiar with emergency procedures.
- Install windrows as a mitigation control.
Refer to:
SB10-03 Mobile plant – safety critical systems
SA06-12 Maintenance of safety critical systems – braking, steering and warning systems
