A serious incident at a metalliferous mine in NSW has prompted renewed attention on ground support safety measures.
Last month, a worker narrowly avoided serious injury after a large rock dislodged from an unsupported underground face, hitting the worker’s head and shoulders before landing next to him.
An investigation conducted by the NSW Resources Regulator found that the face had been scaled multiple times before the incident occurred, and the face was not supported by ground support.
The drill face had been scaled three times throughout the development cycle and was being worked on from a Normet charge-up rig. Mesh and bolts had been installed up to the face, but the face itself remained unsupported.
Initial findings also suggested that the wedge of rock slid off the face from intersecting clay seam and natural rock joint set.
The regulator is now considering adopting a clearer and more definitive position on the management of unsupported ground at working faces, in the underground metalliferous mining industry.
Following its investigation, the regulator has made several recommendations to the industry.
The safety alert states that mine operators should identify the potential for ground instability and hazardous ground movements and assess the risks associated with those movements.
Using the hierarchy of controls, mine operators should implement ground support systems that protect workers from the risks associated with rockfall or strata collapse.
According to the regulator, mine operators must also consider ground support for all active faces where there may be a risk of rockfall to workers from working under an unsupported face.
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