Panicking and incorrectly following procedures contributed to a Queensland workplace death.
A new coronial inquest is examining circumstances surrounding Gareth Dodunski’s death at the Fairwell Mining Camp near Injune, 633km southwest of Bundaberg.
A hydraulic torque wrench crushed the 21-year-old’s skull on a drill rig pipe while working on Rig 185 in the danger zone during 23 June 2013.
Employer Saxon Energy Services Australia allegedly took 10 minutes to request emergency assistance, and resuscitation efforts started 8 minutes later. The ambulance arrived within 20 minutes and paramedics declared Dodunski dead at the scene.
Brisbane Magistrates Court recently heard the driller, who activated the deadly ST-80 Iron Roughneck wrench, was appointed just two weeks prior to the incident. Jacob Kilby had only completed 70 per cent of the qualifications required to perform his duties.
Kilby testified that his supervisor distracted him, causing him to stop watching the drill floor for about 10 seconds. When the operator turned back he restarted the rig before confirming whether Dodunski and colleague Daniel Mullings were in the danger zone. The pair were still trying to attach a dog collar to the drill rig pipe.
After realising his mistake Kilby frantically tried to shut down the rig. However, he repeatedly pressed the wrong button.
“I was smashing the ‘off’ button but I should have been hitting the ‘retract’ or ‘kill’ switch,” he said according to Fairfax Media.
“It happened so quickly, I was tapping it repeatedly and yelling ‘get out’ but at that stage it was too late.”
The operator admitted he was inadequately trained for the job.
Dodunski completed a safety meeting form on the day of the incident, reminding the crew to “keep an eye on your mate”.
The employer also fitted a dead-man switch to the rig floor, modified the emergency stop function in the control room, and installed sirens to alert workers when the ST-80 started operating.
Investigations continue.
Related articles
Probing industry response to employee deaths is welcome
Authority probes failure to find ‘major flaw’ from work fatalities
Knife attack victim comes forward after work environment probe
Snitch system does ‘nothing’ to keep mining giant ‘honest’ says former worker.
Add Comment