Alert no. 483 | 11 August 2026 | Version 1
Coal mine worker struck by rotating dragline
What happened?
- A rotating dragline stuck a coal mine worker when they dismounted the machine and entered the operational swing boundaries of the dragline.
- The worker was struck in the head and became unconscious but avoided further injury.
- Investigations are ongoing and initial learnings are outlined below.
How did it happen?
- Four workers were on board a dragline at a coal mine in Central Queensland.
- Preliminary investigations suggest three workers exited the machine, while the fourth person remained in control of the dragline. Investigations suggest one of the workers who exited the machine remained in or re-entered the operational swing boundaries to retrieve traffic cones.
- The worker was struck by the dragline and became unconscious.
- The other workers alerted the machine’s operator to stop. If this immediate action was not taken the situation may have resulted in more serious or fatal injuries.
- In 2021, a coal mine worker died after a similar event in Central Queensland where a rotating dragline stuck him within the operational swing boundaries of the dragline.
- Separately, in 2024 another coal mine worker narrowly avoided injury after being struck by a rotating dragline within the operational swing boundaries.
Recommendations
- All SSEs and sites should assess and mitigate associated hazards and risks and should:
- Review boarding and disembarking procedures.
- Review controls for workers entering the house swing radius.
- Ensure workers are trained, competent, and are aware of the hazards when working in close proximity to draglines.
- Consider the implementation of a proximity detection system.
- Ensure communication methods between ground staff and dragline operators are effective, for example two-way radios.
- Ensure supervisors monitor compliance with the mine's Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) - dragline procedures.
- Ensure the SHMS provides adequate supervision for anyone working in the vicinity of operational swing boundaries of draglines.
- Ensure persons undertaking activities are adequately trained in all relevant aspects of the mine's SHMS.
- Regularly audit and validate operating procedures within the mine's SHMS.
References and further information
- Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 - Section 39 (2A) (Obligations of persons generally)
- Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 - Section 76 (Using mobile plant) Section 77 (Warning systems if mobile plant operator’s visibility is restricted) and Part 11 A (Supervising workers).
- Safety Alert #444: Coal mine worker struck by rotating
- Safety Alert #403: Fatal accident when coal mine worker
Contact: QldMinesInspectorate@rshq.qld.gov.au
Issued by Resources Safety & Health Queensland
Safety: This information is a guide only and is issued to promote safety through experience. It is not to be taken as a statement of law and must not be construed to waive or modify any legal obligation.
Placement: Place this announcement on noticeboards and ensure all relevant people in your organisation receive a copy.
Placement: Place this announcement on noticeboards and ensure all relevant people in your organisation receive a copy.
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