The NSW Resources Regulator will begin a causal investigation into an excavator and autonomous dozer collision at the Peabody Wilpinjong Coal Mine.
On 27 May 2019, a Hitachi Ex1200 excavator collided with an autonomous dozer. No one was injured in the collision but there was damage to the access steps down from the excavator.
Resources Regulator inspectors assessed the incident the following day. The regulator did not identify any material breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 during the initial assessment but has decided a causal investigation will be completed.
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The causal investigation will allow the Resources Regulator to fully understand the causes of the incident and pass on corresponding lessons to the industry to reduce the chances of a recurrence, particularly in relation to the emerging use of autonomous heavy vehicles.
Stakeholders have been invited to participate, including the mine operator and industry and mine safety and health representatives.
The Resources Regulator will publish an Investigation Information Release on the excavator and autonomous dozer collision incident within the next 14 days.
Image: Hitachi Ex1200 Excavator (For reference purposes only)
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