Best practice reinforced after coal mine collision

Heavy equipment would be required to stop work when a light vehicle or persons on foot enter an operational mining area. That’s industry leading best practice which has come to the fore after an investigation into a collision between a 30-tonne excavator and a water truck described by Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) Coal Inspectorate as a ‘medium’ vehicle. The collision occurred on a coal mine near Toowoomba. It happened on 24 October after the excavator slewed to the right and hit the cabin of the water truck while loading topsoil onto an articulated dump truck. RSHQ said Industry leading best-practice required workers to make positive communication and for heavy equipment to stop operating when persons on foot, or light and medium vehicles enter the operational area which is typically a 50m exclusion zone. “Light and medium vehicle operators should have positive communication and observe the stopping of equipment prior to entering the heavy vehicle operational area,” the report said. “Some operators have installed proximity detection to warn heavy vehicle operators of other vehicles entering the exclusion zone. “Industry-leading best practice is for the proximity detection to stop the heavy equipment when persons on foot, or light and medium vehicles enter the exclusion zone.” The truck was watering on the offside of the excavator and had not used positive two-way radio communications with the excavator operator, the report said. “As a result, the excavator operator, unaware of the hazard, has collided with the nearby water truck, causing moderate damage to the cabin. No coal mine workers were injured. “The high potential incident scene was isolated overnight for an inspector to respond to the site”. Collisions with another vehicle are one of the top three high potential incidents reported by the coal mining industry the RSHQ said in its report. “Site Senior Executives (SSEs) should review their Principal Hazard Management Plans and site procedures for the hazard of mobile equipment interaction to ensure the risk is being managed effectively. “The review should have a specific focus on persons on foot as well as light and medium vehicles which have an elevated risk when entering heavy-vehicle operational areas. “SSEs should consider implementing industry leading practice in operational areas to ensure the risk remains at acceptable levels and as low as reasonably achievable.”

Best practice reinforced after coal mine collision

Industry Queensland

Related News

APA advances plans to extend Mount Isa solar development

Quick fire – industry news briefs

Carnaby forges ahead with Greater Duchess work

Get access to breaking mining news, now.