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Failure to look ends in dozer-haul truck collision

collision

Workers at an open cut coal mine in New South Wales are reportedly uninjured after a wheel dozer reversed into a haul truck last week.

The wheel dozer was working on a dump when it reversed 30m and collided with the front of a stationary haul truck.

At the time of the incident, the truck operator was waiting for direction from the wheel dozer operator.

The NSW Resources Regulator conducted an investigation, which revealed the wheel dozer operator did not look behind him while reversing.

“Workers have a duty to take reasonable care for themselves and others while in the workplace,” the Regulator said.

“Operators should always check their path when reversing. Mine operators should prioritise segregation between dozers and haul trucks on dumps over lower order controls such as positive communications and work procedures.”

Though the cause of the incident has yet to be established, a single-vehicle crash at another open cut coal mine elsewhere in the state prompted warnings from the Regulator over the effects of fatigue.

A worker was travelling along a haul road in a light truck when he allegedly experienced a micro-sleep, causing the vehicle to hit a windrow on the left side of the haul road and overturn onto the driver’s side.

The worker was uninjured and safely exited the vehicle, with no other occupants involved.

“Mine operators should undertake a review to ensure all workers including supervisors and contractors are adhering to the mine’s fatigue management plan,” the Regulator said at the time.

“Mine operators should be aware of their legislative obligations regarding fatigue.”

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