RSHQ issues Safety Alert to industry following crush incident
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), has issued a Safety Alert to the state’s mines following an incident where a worker was injured at a mine in Central Queensland.
The state’s resources safety and health regulator is investigating the incident where, in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday 20 January, a worker suffered crush injuries after being trapped between two vehicles.
RSHQ's Chief Inspector of Coal Mines Jacques le Roux said while investigations were in their early stages, the alert was designed to share initial learnings from serious incidents and help industry minimise potential risk.
“Initial information suggests a worker operating a bobcat was travelling up the box cut of the mine when they exited the vehicle after suspecting it had overheated,” he said.
“At the same time, a load haul dump (LHD) travelling up a ramp approached and made contact with the worker, temporarily trapping them between the two vehicles.
“The worker suffered fractures and was transported to hospital in a stable condition for further treatment.
“Vehicle crush incidents have the potential to be fatal, and this is a serious incident we are investigating thoroughly.”
Mr le Roux reminded site senior executives (SSEs) at Queensland mines to review their traffic management systems, including for transporting loads in or around the mine.
“The system should consider direction of travel of LHDs when loads inhibit vision for the direction of travel,” said Mr le Roux.
“SSEs should also review their ‘no go zones’ for all equipment on site and consider blind spots of the equipment with and without loads.”
For more information, read RSHQ’s full Safety Alert here.
ENDS
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Last updated: 23 Jan 2026