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MINING INCIDENTS AND ALERTS

Excavator Access Ladder Causes Foot Injury

Foot Injury

Resources Safety & Health Queensland released a safety alert on a recent incident at a Central Queensland surface coal mine.

According to the report, an excavator retractable access ladder was in the process of lifting, when a coal mine worker positioned themselves near the top of the ladder, facing the machine room wall. The ladder completed its lifting cycle and trapped the workers foot between the floor and the rotating handrail (refer re-enactment photo).

The ladder control switch design did not require the operator to be in contact with the control whilst the stairs were operating. The operator can move away from the switch once movement has started.

Hazards of hydraulic access ladders

Safety alert issued on retractable ladders following the death of mine worker

Resources Safety & Health Queensland recommended that all surface mines implement equipment access ladder switches that require the operator to be in control of the switch at all times the ladder is in operation and stops if at any time the operator’s hand is not on the switch (dead man’s switch).

In its final upper resting position, the handrail was very close to the floor, creating a configuration where a foot or other body part can be trapped.

Mine operators are advised to audit all retractable access ladders on their equipment for similar issues, both implementation of a Dead Man’s Switch and identification of nip points and rectify in conjunction with the OEM where required.

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