Mine Safety Alert
The New South Wales Government Trade and Investments announced a mine safety alert, after an incident involving a dozer tipped into a reclaim valve when the operator misjudged the valve location.
A full investigation is yet to be completed but preliminary findings show there were insufficient visual cues for the operator, to determine the location of the valve at the time of the incident, according to NSW Government.
New South Wales Government Trade and Investments safety recommendations:
• Dozer operators should have a positive visual of the void before working near the valve.
• Training and competence of dozer operators should include a familiarisation period for coal stockpile operations.
• Review dozer operating procedures on stockpiles, with particular focus on specific controls for dozer positioning in relation to valves/feeders.
• Draft MDG28 Safety requirements – Reclaim tunnels and coal stockpiles would assist in this review.
• Review the protocols for starting and stopping valves on live stockpiles.
• Review and implement additional devices to determine the location of valves or other high risk areas on stockpiles in relation to dozer position.
16 August 2011
Safe to Work
Managers Hold Positive Outlook For Harmonisation
