A safety advisory has been issued by the New South Wales regulator to curb the growing trend of heavy vehicle rollovers in the mining industry.
The resource regulator has noticed, with some “considerable concern”, an escalation in truck rollovers in the past 12 months throughout all sections of the state’s mining industry.
In the year to date, forty incidents were notified to the regulator with 13 related to articulated trucks, six related to dozers, five involving rigid off-highway trucks, seven including trucks and trailers, four contained light vehicles, and three were other vehicles (skid steer, roller, excavator).
Of the 40 incident notifications, 21 were from coal mines, 12 were from construction, five were from metalliferous mines and two were from industrial minerals.
The predominant causes were poor ground conditions at tip heads and dump areas, hang up and carry back in trays causing poor centres of balance and trucks tipping, and running out dirt while moving, the NSW Regulator’s report said.
In light of these findings, the regulator is urging mine operators to have a structured, risk-assessed approach to address adverse vehicle interactions and is also advising them to review and consider all relevant resources available, including resources.
When conducting risk assessments, mine operators must involve appropriate people to support the roads and other vehicle operating areas principal hazard management plan and underpin requirements for roadway design, construction and maintenance procedures.
Mine operators should have procedures in place for tipping loads to ensure that loads are centred, and flow during tipping, and carry back is managed, and monitor ground conditions are suitable for hauling, loading and tipping.
Road and dump areas must be maintained so that roadways and intersections are designed and constructed in compliance with site standards.
Tip and dump areas are designed and constructed with suitable grades for tipping and turning.
Tipping and dump areas have adequate bunding and windrows in place. Run-out tipping is avoided where possible and risk assessed when required.
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