A open-cut mine employee was so busy chatting his machinery overturned.
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) recently examined how a dozer rolled over at an undisclosed Queensland coal mine.
Investigators found the worker left his heavy vehicle unattended while speaking at length with a supervisor about different recovery options.
“Approximately 10 minutes later the dozer tipped onto its side before it could be recovered,” RSHQ said in its latest coal inspectorate incident periodical.
“[The] dozer working on a rehabilitation contour drain has trammed onto a rock while compacting the batter.”
Two other dozer incidents were separately investigated. One trammed over the rill and rolled over while reversing back to prepare a pad or bench for excavation. The other slid and rolled onto its right side while reversing up a slot.
The following recommendations were made:
- site senior executives should ensure adequate procedures are in place for environment management
- during work area inspections ensure all potential hazards have been identified by coal mine workers
- do not allow work to start / continue until those hazards are being effectively controlled
- identify all hazards and effective controls have been implemented to manage them
- contour bank designs and construction provide a safe work environment
- ensure dozer operators are familiar with dozer operation procedures
- ensure contour banks construction provide a safe work environment
- supervisors should be competent in assessing risks and hazards
- cease work immediately if a hazard is inadequately controlled
- inform supervisors of any work environment concerns
- comply with dozer operation procedures
- inspect work areas for potential hazards.
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