A momentary lapse in awareness has led to high-risk mobile plant incidents across two New South Wales mine sites, with the state regulator reinforcing the importance of operator vigilance.
At an open-cut coal mine, a haul truck operator became disoriented while driving at night and crossed to the wrong side of a centre bund. Another haul truck was approaching from the opposite direction, with both operators needing to execute emergency stops, bringing their machines to a halt about 15 metres apart.
According to the NSW Resources Regulator, the incident underscores the consequences of inattention and distraction in mobile plant operations. To assist mines in managing such incidents, the regulator is urging operators to refer to its technical reference guide, Surface ROVOA, which supports better management of vehicle interactions.
To further reduce adverse vehicle interactions, the regulator has now gazetted and implemented a Vehicle Interaction Ancillary Report that must be completed whenever a reportable vehicle interaction occurs at a mine.
In a separate dangerous incident at an underground metals and extractives site, two 36-tonne excavators were operating in close proximity during buttressing work at a tailings storage facility.
One operator had called the other over to review a batter setup, and the machines were positioned side by side while the operators discussed GPS offsets. During the discussion, one operator exited their cab and began giving instructions from the ground, while the second operator remained in their excavator.
As part of the setup process, the operating excavator slewed to check the batter height and hinge point. During the movement, the machine’s rear counterweight struck the cab of the adjacent stationary excavator, shattering its windscreen.
The regulator has reminded workers of their duty to maintain awareness and control of the plant at all times. It has also directed industry to Layer 8 of the Surface ROVOA, which focuses on operator advisory controls to provide timely alerts and help identify imminent collision risks.
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