The NSW Resources Regulator has made a number of recommendations for the mining industry after a worker was seriously injured when working on a mobile plant with open guards.
In 2023, a Mt Magometon Quarry worker’s arm was surgically amputated by emergency services in order to free him after it was entangled in the idler drum of a moving conveyor belt on a mobile screen.
With its investigation into the incident now concluded, the regulator has released a report detailing its findings accompanied by a series of recommendations.
According to the regulator, several factors contributed to the worker being exposed to the risk of serious injury or death, including workers commonly tracking the mobile screen’s conveyor belt with guards removed contrary to the advice listed in the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) user manual.
It also found that there was no safe work procedure for tracking conveyor belts on the mobile screen and the OEM’s user manual (which contained a procedure for belt tracking) was not made available to workers.
In line with its findings, the regulator has made several recommendations for mine operators and workers alike.
Mine operators and contractors must manage entanglement risks posed by the moving parts of the plant by developing and implementing introduction-to-site procedures, including conducting comprehensive risk assessments of plants purchased second-hand to ensure that safety features have not been removed or otherwise compromised.
They’re also urged to apply the hierarchy of controls including ensuring, to the extent it is reasonably practicable to do so, that all guards are securely fixed in place during maintenance (including belt tracking) work.
For workers, the regulator recommends never starting the plant for maintenance purposes (including belt tracking) unless all guards are securely fixed in and electrically isolate the plant, where it is not reasonably practicable to fix guards in place during maintenance work, and not re-energise until they are securely fixed.
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