Alert no. 463 | 05 November 2025 | Version 1

Coal mine worker trapped by reversing vehicle

What happened?

• While reversing, a tilt tray truck came very close to a pick and carry crane and trapped a coal mine worker between the two vehicles.
• No one was seriously injured; however, this incident could have caused serious injury or death to the worker involved. In 2024 a coal mine worker was fatally injured after becoming trapped between two vehicles.
• This is an ongoing investigation. Initial learnings are outlined below.

How did it happen?

• The tilt tray truck had been loaded with a demountable building from the rear and the pick and carry crane was parked about 1.1m behind the truck (Figure 1, below).

Figure 1: The above image after careful reenactment demonstrates the point where the tilt tray was positioned before reversing.

• The truck driver had tied the load down and headed to the truck cab.
• The worker had moved to the front of the pick and carry crane to load the rigging gear into the storage compartment.
• The truck reversed back and made contact with the worker. It stopped after hearing the horn sounding from the pick and carry crane (Figure 2, below).

Figure 2 - The above image after careful reenactment demonstrates the point where the tilt tray stopped after reversing and where the worker was positioned.

• This is a High Potential Incident (HPI) where a worker was trapped between the vehicles. The worker could have been seriously or fatally injured.

Recommendations

• All work parties should be in constant communication when vehicles are going to be moved.
• Workers should avoid being in the line of fire.
• Before entering any tight area between an object and a machine that has the potential to move, workers should always check that the machine is isolated and chocked.
• Where possible, the machine should be moved to a new location to create a safe space.
• If the operator cannot see all areas when moving a vehicle, always ensure a spotter is used at a safe distance.
• On 12 August 2019 a worker in New South Wales suffered fatal injuries arising from a collision between a reversing dozer and a light vehicle at the Snapper Mineral Sands Mine. Please see the NSW regulator's video below for additional learnings.

References and further information

• Guidance Note QGN 27 Collision prevention (Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999)
• Safety Alert 251 - Safe operation of light vehicles
• Safety Alert 206 – Crushed between mobile equipment
• Safety Alert 416 ‘Pedestrian suffers serious crush injury from reversing mobile plant’
• Safety Alert 419 ‘Mobile Plant Reversing into Light Vehicle
• Safety Alert 443 – Fatal accident involving light vehicle and B-double