Summary: While cutting a shearer stable for maintenance, the tailgate cutting drum of a longwall shearer made contact with a flipper on the roof support. This resulted in a pick tip from the tailgate drum being ejected into a walkway, striking the arm of a worker. The worker required surgery to remove metal fragments embedded in his arm.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review requirements for safe standing zones around operating shearers to protect workers from projectiles, and reinforce these requirements to all workers and supervisors.
