Vehicle and mobile plant fires
Statewide regulatory focus
RSHQ’s Mineral Mines and Quarries Inspectorate has identified vehicle and mobile plant fires as a priority risk across surface and underground mineral mines and quarries and will conduct a statewide targeted inspection program in 2026.
The program follows 340 reported vehicle mobile plant fire high potential incidents (HPIs), between 1 July 2022 and 31 August 2026, representing 15% of all reporting HPIs. Many mobile plant fires do not cause injuries but have the potential to result in serious injury or fatalities if controls fail.
Key findings
Analysis of reported HPIs has identified the following themes and trends related to vehicle and mobile plant fire incidents.
Identified causes
- Component or system failure; diesel or oil spray contacting hot parts; and electrical faults or failures.
Causal factors
- Equipment condition or design, organisational arrangements (such as risk management, procurement, maintenance and emergency response) and human factors (such as daily inspections, routine maintenance and competency).
Absent or ineffective controls
- Mobile plant maintenance in accordance with OEM requirements and good industry practice.
- Separation of flammable materials from hot surfaces and other ignition sources i.e. effective use of fire walls, heat shields, guarding and hose routing.
- Inspection, testing and timely replacement of critical components, including critical hoses, lines, fittings, wiring and protective systems.
Targeted inspection program
The targeted inspection program will assess how mineral mines and quarries manage vehicle and mobile plant fire risks, with a focus on prevention, detection, suppression and emergency response.
The campaign aims to reduce the frequency and potential severity of vehicle and mobile plant fires across mineral mines and quarries through a targeted, data‑driven regulatory program focused on prevention, early detection, effective response and sustained improvement.
Regulatory respose
Mobile plant fire hazards must be managed within the sites Safety and Health Management System (SHMS). Where non-compliances are identified, the regulator will take appropriate action to ensure risks are controlled, including formal regulatory action where warranted.
At the conclusion of the campaign, a survey will be sent to industry to provide feedback on the campaign. Results will be shared in the campaign report.
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In scope
- Vehicles and mobile plant used in mineral, mining mines and quarrying operations. Specific focus will be on dozers, front end loaders, dump and haul trucks, excavators, graders and scrapers.
- Fire suppression and extinguishing equipment on vehicle and mobile plant.
- Maintenance, inspection and defect management practices relevant to fire prevention.
- Fuel, hydraulic and electrical system integrity; management of hot surfaces and friction sources and fire detection and suppression systems.
- Worker (operator and maintenance personnel) competence and supervision arrangements related to mobile plant operation, inspection, repair and maintenance.
- Emergency preparedness and response for vehicle and mobile plant fire scenarios.
Out of scope
- Fixed plant, light vehicles, ancillary and service vehicles.
- Mobile crushing and screening plant.
- Fixed or transportable generators and pumps.
- Detailed engineering design review of OEM systems beyond reasonable regulatory assurance checks.
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Prevention
- Fuel, hydraulic and flammable liquids and system integrity (leak identification, repair standards, hose management and isolation practices).
- Electrical system integrity (wiring, condition, protection, defect management).
- Management of hot surfaces and friction sources (shielding, brake and bearing monitoring, housekeeping around hot zones).
- Maintenance and inspection regimes (scheduled checks, defect reporting, close out quality).
- Operating practices that reduce fire risk (pre-start checks, stopping procedures, refueling controls, reporting culture).
Detection and suppression (limit escalation)
- Fire detection and suppression systems where applicable (effectiveness, coverage, condition, testing/inspection records).
- Portable extinguishers (type, accessibility, inspection, staff competence to use).
- Alarm and shut down integration where applicable (functional testing evidence).
- Post maintenance inspection and quality assurance checks that flammable sources have been removed.
Response readiness (protect people and reduce consequences)
- Emergency response procedures for vehicle fire scenarios (including escalation and exclusion zones and considerations for tyre fires).
- Training and drills (worker/operator response, first response, muster, communications).
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- Identify vehicle and mobile plant fire hazards and put effective controls in place, using OEM requirements, industry guidance, and lessons from incidents.
- Check that controls are in place and working, with current records for risk assessment, maintenance, inspections, worker competency, and emergency response.
- Identify critical components and possible ignition points and set inspection and replacement requirements based on risk and conditions.
- Use pre-start checks, maintenance checks, and defect review to find leaks, damaged shields, wiring faults, and repeated failures.
- Keep mobile plant clean and accessible and ensure emergency-response arrangements are practiced.
- Ensure workers are trained and supervised to safely operate, inspect, repair and maintain mobile plant, and to identify, report and respond to ineffective fire controls.
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- Resources Safety and Health Queensland, Mobile equipment fires in Queensland metalliferous mines and quarries: data analysis from incidents reported to the MMQ Inspectorate, 2020–2024.
- Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT), Design Philosophy 4—Fire and Performance Requirement 4—Mobile Equipment Fire Management.
- EMSERT Design Philosphy 4: Fire (PDF).
- EMSERT Performance Requirement 4: Mobile Plant Equipment Fire Management (PDF).
- NSW Resources Regulator (2019), Preventing Fires on Mobile Plant: Position Paper (PDF).
- Resources Safety and Health Queensland (2021), Recognised Standard 23: Fluid Power Safety in Coal Mines (PDF).
- Standards Australia (2022), AS 5062:2022 Fire prevention and protection for mobile and transportable equipment, together with other relevant and current standards, guidance and OEM information (people without subscription will need to purchase the standard to obtain it).
Last updated: 14 Oct 2026