The NSW Resources Regulator has welcomed the conviction of LakeCoal Pty Ltd for failing to comply with a health and safety duty under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
The conviction, and $180,000 fine, was a result of an incident at Mannering Colliery in 2016 which left a worker seriously injured.
The Resources Regulator’s Chief Investigator Steve Orr said the judgement reflected community standards for mine safety.
“The Court’s decision sends a strong message that the community expects mine operators to comply with their work health and safety obligations,” Mr Orr said.
Longwall 7 to the right (Image NSW Resources Regulator)
“This matter serves as a timely reminder to companies to ensure they have appropriate controls in place to protect workers.”
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The worker was severely injured while driving a loader underground at the Colliery when a damaged support strap hanging down from the roof struck the man’s head near his left eye.
The incident left the employee with a severe head laceration which required medical treatment.
At the time of the incident, the mine was in a state of care and maintenance.
The Court found the offence fell in the mid-range of objective seriousness and imposed a fine of $180,000 and ordered LakeCoal to pay the Regulator’s legal costs.
Related prosecution proceedings against LD Operations Pty Ltd are ongoing.
As the LD Operations matter is before the Court, further details will not be released.
The Regulator’s investigation report into the incident can be found here.
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