Mine Type

All mine types

Incident

A service crew operator sustained fatal injuries when he was crushed between the tray of a stationary light vehicle utility and a man basket attached to an integrated tool carrier that was being driven toward the rear of the utility. The operator and another person were standing on the ground, at the rear of the utility, preparing to transfer tools and equipment from the tray of the utility into the man basket on the integrated tool carrier.

Equipment

Mobile equipment.

Hazard

Pedestrians and personnel working on foot around operating mobile equipment.

Cause

Equipment driven towards personnel on the ground and personnel positioned in the path of moving mobile equipment.

Comments and recommendations

Within mining operations it is usual for personnel to be on foot around mobile equipment being operated or moved. Examples include service and maintenance crews using integrated tool carriers, forklifts and cranes. The hazard of personnel being struck, caught or crushed by the mobile equipment is obvious and the risk to personnel is increased where:

• communication between the mobile equipment operator and the pedestrian is limited or confusing
• pedestrians enter an area where mobile equipment is operating without notifying the operator
• pedestrians are positioned in the path of the mobile equipment
• pedestrians enter the equipment operator's blind spots, or
• there is a malfunction of the mobile equipment.

Wherever possible, tasks and activities must be designed to reduce or eliminate the possibility of pedestrians and mobile equipment interacting.

• All mines should have clear, concise rules covering interaction of mobile equipment and pedestrians in all parts of the operation. It should be made clear who has right of way and under what circumstances mobile equipment can be operated around pedestrians.
• Training and assessment of mobile equipment operators must reinforce the general rules concerning the positioning of persons when mobile equipment is operating around or nearby. Personnel who work around operating mobile equipment must receive specific training in the hazards and associated procedures.
• Consideration should be given to the development and implementation of proximity sensing technology to limit mobile equipment operation when persons are in the vicinity.

Authorised by Rob O'Sullivan - Manager Safety and Health, North Region

Contact: minesafetyandhealth@dnrm.qld.gov.au

Issued by Queensland Department of Mines and Energy