Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00147
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review their procedures for appropriate ventilation to control flammable gas. Mine operators should also review their procedures associated with drilling relating to how flammable gas is detected and controlled.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00146
Recommendations to industry: Incident investigations are ongoing.
This incident is a reminder for all drivers and operators of trucks and heavy vehicles to drive to conditions.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00143
Summary: An ignition of methane occurred at the coal face during production in a development panel. A continuous miner intersected a known strata fault when the ignition occurred. No injuries were reported.
Recommendations to industry: A section 195 notice was issued to the mine to prevent workers from going underground.
Mine operators should review:
- procedures for appropriate ventilation to control flammable gas
- how areas of potentially flammable gases are identified and controlled
- their broad-brush risk assessments to determine if frictional ignitions are a principal hazard for the mine.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00141
Recommendations to industry: Mines should communicate the incident through site communication and check that grease points and greasing equipment is serviced, maintained and free from mechanical damage.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00137
Recommendations to industry:
- The incident investigation for the root cause is ongoing, although it appears to be electrical.
- The incident should be communicated at site tool box talks.
- Operators should ensure they are familiar with isolation and emergency procedures.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00133
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators and people in control of plant with dump bodies should review engineering controls to prevent the vehicle being driven with the dump body in the raised position. Interlocks and warning alarms are potential controls considered to be reasonably practicable.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00131
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review how statutory officials and supervisors monitor compliance to all mine rules and procedures.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00127
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review:
- how hazards associated with any task are assessed
- the quality of inspections that are completed post-task for new hazards that have been inadvertently introduced to the work area.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00126
Recommendations to industry:
- The fire appears to have been caused by hydraulic oil making contact with hot exhaust components. There was a hose failure from rubbing abrasion.
- Mine maintenance personnel should be vigilant when conducting inspections to inspect hoses for evidence of rubbing and abrasion or missing clamps or fixings.
Serious injury | SInNot 2018/00125
The hose whipped around and the person was hit on the chest and the left forearm with the high-pressure water.
Recommendations to industry:
- Mine operators should inspect high pressure cleaning equipment to ensure the hose, connection fittings and lance (gun) are assembled correctly from original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommended and rated components.
- Hose-to-gun connection should contain a swivel connection or methods to prevent the connection from becoming unscrewed if twisting occurs in the hose.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00124
Recommendations to industry:
- Vehicle operator controls such as clutch, brake and throttle pedals should be inspected and maintained to operate effectively.
- Drivers should report defective controls through pre-use inspections.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00123
Note: This dozer was a hired machine and was not fitted with the proximity detection systems as fitted to mine-owned machines.
Recommendations to industry: Investigation of this incident should highlight to mine operators that traffic management plans should include:
- Operational risk assessments should be completed on all new plant to ensure the level of risk is not increased.
- Positive communications process should be used at mines for all vehicle interactions.
- Mine operators should review how statutory officials and supervisors monitor for compliance to mine rules and procedures.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00122
The truck operator stated that the retard was used further up on the ramp and was travelling at about 12 kph. The driver initiated the retard as the vehicle approached the bump in the road and this was when the rear of the service truck slid out to the left.
Recommendations to industry: Principle hazard management plans for roads or other vehicle operating areas should consider factors that may affect operator visibility or ability to control a vehicle:
- Fog, sunlight, storms or dust obstructions that affect lines of sight.
- Vehicle operating areas should have fit-for purpose barriers such as bunding or windrows to prevent uncontrolled vehicles going over embankments.
- Drivers should be reminded to travel at speeds suitable for the conditions.
Serious injury | SInNot 2018/00116
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review what controls are in place for manual handling tasks that are carried out regularly.
Dangerous incident | SInNot 2018/00102
The boom extended into the operator’s standing area causing the operator to take a step back to avoid being struck.
Recommendations to industry:
- Operators of truck-mounted cranes should be trained and competent in the deployment and stowage of the crane. A specific sequence and procedure may be required depending on the make and model type.
- Mine operators should review what training their statutory officials and supervisors have received in the requirements to preserve a scene after a notifiable incident.