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Social media blamed for dangerous behaviour

Social media obsession has been blamed for a number of serious safety incidents, and narrowly-avoided safety incidents, that have occurred in Queensland mines over recent months.

The Queensland State Government’s Queensland Mines Inspectorate (QMI) claims mine workers handling heavy machinery are putting lives at risk by compulsively checking their mobile phones or tablets while on the job.

“The inspectorate believes the use of mobile devices such as iPhones and iPads – and interaction on social media – is widespread at open-cut coal mines,” Chief Inspector of Coal Mines Gavin Taylor said.

“This is a significant safety concern, given the size and gross weights of equipment moving around on site.”

Responsible for overall safety in Queensland mines, QMI made the claims in a safety bulletin distributed to industry statewide. The bulletin urged mine management to include strict policies on the use of personal mobile communications technology in hazard management plans related to mobile plant and vehicles.

“The mine site could review policies and procedures, and also consider the role of inattention or distraction when undertaking incident investigations related to mobile plant and vehicle operation.” The bulletin suggested.

Stories of workers updating their profile on Facebook while driving bulldozers, graders, dump trucks and excavators are common on mine sites across the country.

The bulletin lists situations when mine workers may need access to mobile phones while on site (such as emergencies) and also suggests possible measures including:

  • Limiting access to mobile devices or phones with internet access
  • Limiting access to mobile phones except in emergencies
  • Limiting mobile phone use to only hands-free devices and only when parked in a safe location.

By Tracey Baillie

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