Moranbah North mine death: Gavin Feltwell killed in underground load fall

Early recommendations to prevent future mining tragedies have been handed down as the coal inspectorate investigation releases initial findings into a Moranbah miner’s death.

Mining contractor Gavin Feltwell suffered critical head injuries when a four-tonne load shifted and fell while dismantling conveyor equipment underground.

The Queensland coal inspectorate’s initial investigation findings found Mr Feltwell and crew was dismantling conveyor equipment underground at Moranbah North when the incident occurred just after 10pm Friday, March 25.

“This required the movement of a suspended load, using block and tackle, lever hoist (cumalong) and slings,” the safety brief stated.

“The activity at the time of the incident involved a heavy load of an estimated four tonnes.

“The load shifted during the activity and resulted in fatal injuries to a coal mine worker.”

The inspectorate said the suspended load shifted in an uncontrolled manner which was a key element to the ongoing investigating.

Anglo American suspended operations across all sites in the wake of the tragedy for Stop for Safety sessions on Saturday.

The mining giant confirmed the worker was an employee of contracting partner Mastermyne.

Anglo American CEO Tyler Mitchelson said his team was devastated by the loss of one its colleagues and the company was working to support the colleague’s family.

“Our focus is on supporting our colleagues’ family and all those involved in the tragic incident,” he said.

“We have services on site to support our workforce at Moranbah North Mine.

“We have ceased mining activities at Moranbah North and will undertake a full investigation with relevant authorities so we can understand how this incident occurred.”

“We have also made the decision to suspend operations across all our sites to commence Stop for Safety sessions today, focusing on applying critical controls and risk management, including during lifting activities and ensuring we are always maintaining chronic unease.

“These sessions will continue to be held with ongoing crews in the coming days.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to our first responders at Moranbah North, who have done an incredible job in a difficult situation, as well as local emergency services.”

Anglo American Moranbah North Mine. Picture: Tara Miko

The inspectorate recommended site senior executives should ensure safety and health management systems provide “effective preventive critical controls for lifting and managing suspended loads, to prevent uncontrolled movement of suspended loads”.

It further recommended SHMS outlined critical controls to “ensure coal mine workers are not in the of fire of any actions resulting from an uncontrolled movement of a suspended load”.

“(SSE should) Verify that coal mine workers required to conduct lifting activities have the appropriate demonstrated competencies relevant to the environment in which the task is being undertaken,” it said.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said she was heartbroken by the news.

“We wake up this morning to the devastating news that one of our region’s miners has passed away in a workplace incident at Moranbah North Mine,” she said.

“We send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his family, colleagues and our communities as we process this tragedy.

“Our hearts break all over again today.

“On behalf of Isaac I extend our gratitude and support to emergency workers who were there for him last night.”

“When times are tough our community comes together to support each other.

“It’s what we do.

“It’s who we are as mining communities.”

Mine worker Bradley Hardwick who died in an incident between a grader and a personnel carrier at Moranbah North Mine on February 20, 2019.

Mining and Energy Union Queensland president Stephen Smyth said the worker’s death had rocked the Moranbah community still dealing with miner Bradley Hardwick’s death three years ago.

“It is absolutely heartbreaking to know that yet another coal miner has not made it home to his family at the end of his shift,” Mr Smyth said.

“Workers at Moranbah North are still recovering from the tragic death of Brad Hardwick just two years ago and they will have the full support of the union in dealing with this latest shocking tragedy.”

Mastermyne, a subsidiary of Metarock Group, provides services to the mine and has worked continuously at the site for more than 15 years.

Jason Blee died in April 2007 at Moranbah North coal mine.

The company said it was providing the worker’s family with all possible support and assistance.

“Support is also being provided to all Mastermyne staff and other impacted by the incident,” the company said.

Managing director Tony Caruso said his company’s immediate thoughts were with the family, friends and workmates of the employee.

“We will continue to provide every support to the family and our teams as we all work through this tragic event.”

At 6pm Saturday, a minute’s silence was held at the Moranbah Miners’ Memorial in Moranbah Town Square as a show of respect and support for the man’s family, friends, community and emergency services.

A lamp will also be lit for the man.

The state’s political leaders have also expressed their shock and sadness.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said RSHQ would conduct a full investigation into the incident.

“My heart goes out to the man’s family, friends and colleagues,” he said.

“Any death on a Queensland mine site is unacceptable and every worker should expect to come home safe to their families after every shift,” he said.

Miner Bradley Hardwick died in February 2019 when a grader he was driving and a personnel carrier with 10 colleagues on board collided.

Another miner, Jason Blee, died at the same mine in 2007 after he was crushed between a shuttle car and wall.

He was a 33 year old father of four.