NSWRR: Serious injury report

Summary: A worker suffered lacerations, bruising and an injured jaw when he was hit by falling grout tubes. Three workers were installing tubes into a cavity in the roof and when adjusting the alignment of the installed tubes, a join separated dropping the tubes, hitting one worker on the jaw and chest. An investigation identified that no risk management had taken place for the task.

Recommendations to industry: Mines must have in place systems that require appropriate risk management tools to be available for use by workers for tasks. Additionally, supervision arrangements must include checks to ensure risk management tools are in place.