Worker partially buried in CHPP coal slump

A worker was partially buried when coal slumped above the face of a tunnel entrance at a Queensland coal handling and preparation plant recently. The Coal Inspectorate report said a stockpile dozer was relocating in the area when a worker performing hosing duties in the tunnel’s entrance was partially engulfed. "This event is a timely reminder that in December 1990 a Queensland coal mine worker lost their life when fluidised coal engulfed the person in a ROM feeder," the inspectorate noted. Coal slumped above the face of a tunnel entrance at the CHPP. Recommendations stemming from the incident included that site senior executives ensure the risk to persons from any plant provided for the performance of work was at an acceptable level, while supervisors should ensure activities under their supervision could not be hazardous to any other activities being performed. Coal mine workers must conduct their work in a way that does not expose themselves or someone else to an unacceptable level of risk. The incident was outlined in the Periodical for Queensland Coal Mines for December 2021 - January 2022. Among the other safety issues reported was a case of heat stress involving a boilermaker at a surface mine. The boilermaker was repairing cracks (welding) on a dragline bucket during a planned maintenance day before being admitted to hospital with heat stroke after that shift. They were treated in hospital for the ensuing two days. The Coal Inspectorate noted there were very hot conditions on the day of the planned maintenance. The report urged SSEs to conduct a gap analysis of mines' Safety and Health Management Systems against QGN32 “Managing exposure to heat in surface coal mines and surface areas of underground coal mines” and address deficiencies. They should ensure systems were in place to adequately assess the risk to workers who were required to work in heat, it said. Consideration is to be given to type of work, PPE and clothing that may restrict heat transfer, measurement of the thermal environment, appropriate work / rest regimes. The recommendations also included that SSEs ensure processes were in place to recognise and treat heat related illness. Supervisors should monitor work conditions to identify increasing level of risk. Workers are urged to report to work in a fit state giving consideration to personal hydration levels and other personal factors that may impact heat tolerance (e.g. some prescribed medications). They should learn to recognise the signs / symptoms of heat exposure and report it to their supervisor.

Worker partially buried in CHPP coal slump

Industry Queensland

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