Mine and quarry operators are being reminded of the critical role seatbelts play in protecting workers operating mobile plant, following a serious incident involving an articulated dump truck (ADT).
According to a safety alert from WorkSafe Victoria, a quarry employee was seriously injured after being ejected from the cabin of an ADT while travelling along a haul road.
The truck’s front right wheel struck a windrow, causing the cabin to rock violently. The force of the movement ejected the operator from the cabin while the machine continued moving under its own power. The vehicle then travelled over the edge of the haul road and overturned.
The operator, who was admitted to the hospital with serious injuries, was not wearing a seatbelt at the time.
WorkSafe Victoria identified several safety issues linked to the incident, including the failure to wear a seatbelt, the potential for excess speed or harsh braking on corners and bends, and the need to verify operator competency when using mobile plant.
To help control risks, the regulator recommends ensuring all powered mobile plants are fitted with functional seatbelts and that operators consistently use them. Sequentially interlocked seatbelt systems can also be installed to help enforce compliance.
Other recommended measures include installing in-cab driver distraction and fatigue monitoring systems, ensuring cabins are operated with doors and windows closed, and confirming operators are competent to safely operate the equipment.
The regulator is also reminding employers that as part of Victoria’s safety laws, they must eliminate or reduce workplace risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
This includes providing safe plant and systems of work, identifying hazards linked to equipment use, implementing controls to prevent operators from being ejected, and ensuring workers receive appropriate training, instruction and supervision when operating mobile machinery.
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