A worker at an open-cut coal mine in New South Wales has escaped injury after an alleged micro-sleep led to a single-vehicle crash.
The 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.
The NSW Resources Regulator has initiated an investigation, with preliminary findings revealing the most likely cause to be fatigue.
“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.
“Mine operators should be aware of their legislative obligations regarding fatigue.”
This includes:
- having effective control measures for minimising the risk that workers will be impaired by fatigue. (Schedule 2 (1)(b) Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2022)
- implementing control measures to either eliminate or where reasonably practicable, minimise the risk with regards to systems of work, including how the work is managed, organised and supported. (Division 11, Cl 55D (2)(d) Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.
Another recently overturned vehicle elsewhere in the state saw the driver suffer minor injuries, including a crush injury to the fingers on their left hand and a small knee laceration.
The vehicle, this time a haul truck, overturned after making contact with raw material while exiting a corner.
A potential mechanical issue or speed factor is being investigated by the Regulator.
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