Coal Inspectorate | Alert | No.444 V 1 | 08 February 2024

Coal mine worker struck by rotating dragline

What happened?

On Sunday 14 January 2024, a worker was struck by a rotating dragline upon completion of cable relocation works, within the operational swing boundaries of the dragline. The worker luckily avoided serious injury. In 2021 a coal mine worker died after being injured in a similar incident.

How did it happen?

The worker was a dragline operator undertaking cable relocation work on the ground, within the operational swing boundaries of the rotating dragline. Preliminary investigations suggest the worker undertook cable relocation works, while the dragline was stationary, but the worker has re-entered or remained in the operational swing boundary when the dragline became operational as they were checking the shoe clearance over the cable. The worker was struck by a dragline light on the underside of the house area.

Key issues

A coal mine worker has been exposed to a hazard while working within the operational boundaries of the moving equipment. The investigation will consider issues such as communication between machine operators and persons on the ground, and verification of work practices.

Recommendations

The incident is still under investigation but is a timely reminder that mine personnel should ensure effective controls are in place to manage risks associated with moving equipment, such as draglines.

This may include:

• ensuring the system provides adequate supervision for anyone undertaking work in the vicinity of operational swing boundaries of draglines.
• ensuring that all of the mine's implemented safety systems are operational, like proximity detection (e.g. cameras).
• ensuring persons undertaking activities are adequately trained in all relevant aspects of the mine's Safety and Health Management System (SHMS).
• ensuring workers are trained and made aware of the ongoing risks when working in the vicinity of mining equipment when an operator is at the controls.
• auditing and validating operating procedures of the mine's SHS on a regular basis.
• ensuring supervisors monitor compliance with the mine's SHMS - dragline procedures.

Investigations are ongoing and further information may be published as it becomes available. The information in this publication is what was known at the time of writing.