Animation recreates dangerous shuttle car incident for mining industry

The animation reconstructs an incident where a shuttle car hit a coal mine worker and narrowly avoided running him over at a Central Queensland underground coal mine.

RSHQ’s Acting General Manager of Operations Patrick Jensen said investigations into the December 2025 incident identified multiple contributing factors industry should be aware of to prevent similar occurrences, including the absence of proximity detection technology.

“Proximity detection systems are already being used successfully by several mines in Queensland to mitigate shuttle car risks, and we strongly urge all sites to consider applying this technology in their operations,” Mr Jensen said.

“Incidents like this have killed workers in Australia and here in Queensland.”

Watch the video:

In the December incident, two workers were underground operating a continuous miner when the machine struck the rib protection bollards and ratchet strap on the side of the mine’s tunnel.

The workers left the vehicle to inspect the damage, but the shuttle car driver did not realise they had changed positions and travelled towards them to pick up coal as normal, striking one of the workers. Luckily, he was not seriously injured.

Mr Jensen encouraged workers, site senior executives and operators at Queensland mines to review the animation and Safety Alert to reduce similar risks at their sites.

“This was a serious incident, as the animation highlights, with several contributing factors,” said Mr Jensen.

“Key issues included inadequate communication, the absence of proximity detection systems or camera systems, blind spots of shuttle cars and workers placing themselves in the line of fire.

“This incident serves as a critical example for industry to learn from, helping reduce risk and prevent serious harm or loss of life in Queensland’s resources sector.”