Centennial Coal has committed to updating its underground safety communication plan at the Springvale Colliery in New South Wales to provide a clearer line of responsibility for employees.
This is part of its enforceable undertaking with Safe Work New South Wales, which has received the approval of the New South Wales Resources Regulator.
An enforceable undertaking is a legally binding agreement proposed to Safe Work following an alleged breach, which is considered as an alternative to prosecution.
A Springvale employee fractured his ankle after being struck by a bow shackle when a link failed during a towing operation in February 2019.
The regulator stated that Centennial’s undertaking would “provide greater benefits to the workforce, industry and community than any other enforcement response”.
Centennial Coal implemented a personal risk management plan, SLAM (stop, look, assess and manage) at the Springvale Colliery following the accident, which resulted in an increased use of this program company-wide.
As part of the undertaking, Centennial Coal will hire a registered training organisation to develop and deliver a resource and infrastructure training program for all underground coal mine slinging, lifting and towing activities to guarantee future safety.
Centennial Coal will also provide a donation to the Lithgow Ambulance Station to purchase a second first response recovery vehicle.
Additionally, the company will also share its experiences and learnings from the accident to at least three mining industry conferences or seminars, to allow the broader industry to benefit from its education.
Centennial Coal’s contribution to funding of safety and community projects and its donation to Ambulance New South Wales will total a minimum of $480,000.
The Springvale mine is operated by Centennial Coal in a 50 per cent joint venture with SK Kores Australia.