A miner at an underground coal mine in New South Wales has been hit by a cable to the head and neck while flitting a multi-bolter out of the production district.
The cable was positioned on the roof and supported by a cable hanger. When the multi-bolter commenced flitting out of the section, the tension from the reeler that was applied to the cable caused it to dislodge from the cable hanger and hit the worker.
The NSW Resources Regulator said cable management standards should specify the use of cable anchors where tension will be applied to cables.
“Mine operators should not rely on cable hangers to hold cables in place when reeler tension is applied,” the Regulator said.
“Safe standing zones should be demarcated to prevent workers from standing beneath cables under tension.
“Hydraulic cable reelers should be operated in accordance with original equipment manufacturer recommendations.
“Valve levers should not be left at the mid-point if the valve is designed to be in either the ‘on’ or ‘off’ position.”
The NSW Regulator also became involved when an electrician suffered an electric shock at a mine elsewhere in the state.
The shock was received from a 240-volt (V) source while the electrician worked in an isolated distribution board in a switch room.
The Regulator said that while the electrician followed the correct isolation process for the 415V power circuit, they did not identify that there was a second, 240V control supply into the switchboard cabinet, and had not isolated the control circuit.
“Mine operators must ensure that electrical panel labelling includes all supply sources in order to inform the electrician of the isolation requirements,” the Regulator said.
“Residual current device protection should be installed on all 240V control circuits. When changes are made to circuitry, wiring diagrams must be updated accordingly.”
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