Falls from walkways and platforms

What happened?

Coal mine workers (CMWs) have fallen through a mesh walkway and a mesh platform in recent incidents reported to the Coal Mines Inspectorate. In both instances the CMWs required medical treatment, however the potential existed for injuries to have been far more serious.

Incident 1

On 27 January 2021, a CMW was walking on a coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) conveyor walkway. The section of steel mesh walkway the CMW was on failed and the CMW fell through. The CMW was able to lower himself to the ground through the open section of flooring using the handrails and adjacent steel structure for support. The worker was exposed to a potential fall of approximately two metres. The failed walkway and potential fall height are evident in the re-enactment shown in Figure 1.

Incident 2

On 4 February 2021, a CMW fell through a section of steel mesh floor. At the time of the incident a roller screen in a CHPP tertiary crushing station was being pulled back into position. The CMW walked behind the work area and fell through a section of floor mesh that wasn’t secured. The displaced mesh floor is shown in Figure 2. The CMW was able to stop the fall with his arms, however he potentially could have fallen 8.6 metres as depicted in Figure 3.

How did it happen?

Both incidents are still being investigated, however the following is known:

In the first incident the dislodged mesh panel was found to be heavily rusted (refer Figure 4) and the panel failed when the CMW stood on it.
In the second incident rigging being used to pull the roller screen appears to have dislodged one panel which then dislodged a second panel due to side loading imposed on the panels (refer Figure 2).

Other recent incidents

In January 2018, a CMW stood on a piece of mesh floor adjacent to a crusher. The mesh panel fell from under his feet exposing the worker to a potential fall of approximately three metres.
In July 2019, a CMW fell approximately 11 metres to the ground and suffered serious injuries when a section of mesh floor he was standing on failed. The injured CMW was located by his buddy after he failed to respond to a radio call.
On 20 January 2021, a directive was issued by an Inspector of Mines, to a mine, to rectify multiple defects observed with CHPP mesh flooring. Defects included poorly fitted mesh panels, broken and distorted panel frames, and rusted through mesh bars.

Key issues

Key issues to be addressed by the Site Senior Executive

Ineffective inspections of walkways and platforms.
Inspections of walkways and platforms not embedded in work management system.
Inadequate structural assessment and audit by third party qualified engineers, with corrective actions not actioned in timely manner.
Housekeeping standards not maintained.
Inadequate training and competency of persons conducting inspections.
Mesh floor retention devices not suitable for environments subject to vibrations.
Work not able to be completed as designed. Management of change processes not followed.
Mesh retention devices are typically not designed to take horizontal loadings potentially leading to dislodgement of mesh panels.

Recommendations

Site Senior Executive to ensure that:

At a minimum, designs for mesh floors and walkways meet or exceed requirements detailed in Australian Standard AS1657.
Designs are suitable for the operating environment. This includes consideration of plant vibration and corrosive environments.
Robust management of change processes are followed for design changes or changes in work methods.
Operational loads imposed on mesh floor panels are in accordance with design assumptions.
Structural integrity management plans include detailed inspections and checks by competent persons.
Issues identified in structural integrity audits are acted upon in a risk based, timely manner.
Inspection frequencies are reviewed to ensure a safe work environment is maintained between when a defect is identified, and remedial action is undertaken.
Persons conducting regular inspections have been appropriately trained and assessed as competent to complete inspections.
Embed inspections in Safety and Health Management System.

References and further information

Australian Standard, AS 1657: 2018: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders - Design, construction and installation

Surface coal mine worker falls from height; Mines safety alert, 09 July 2019

Authorised by Peter Newman - Chief Inspector – Coal

Contact: Anthony Logan, Senior Inspector of Mines (Mechanical) , +61 7 3199 8013 QldMinesInspectorate@rshq.qld.gov.au

Issued by Resources Safety & Health Queensland

Safety: This information 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, understand the content, findings and recommendations as applicable to their operation. SSEs should validate that recommendations have been implemented.

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All information on this page (Falls from walkways and platforms - https://www.rshq.qld.gov.au/safety-notices/mines/falls-from-walkways-and-platforms) is correct as of time of printing (Apr 20, 2024 12:37 am).