Another serious incident this week in NSW. A collision occurred when an excavator slewed, striking a dozer with the counterweight.
According to the NSW Resources Regulator, the dozer operator called up the excavator operator who confirmed the message. The dozer came up beside the excavator and as it was reversing, the excavator started to slew. The counterweight made contact with the dozer, damaging the ladder and door. The door was damaged and required additional force to open it. No injuries were sustained.
The Regulator has warned mines regarding the maintenance of positive communication at mine sites.
Details of positive communications requirements such as equipment number, message content and confirmation should be detailed in mine procedures and training.
All operators must follow the correct positive communications even when working with the same workers over a long period of time. Experience does not remove the need for positive communications.
This week the NSW mining industry advised that 37 reportable incidents had occurred at mines across the state.
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