Fraser Schifferle faces charges after Saraji mine worker crushed to death

A mine worker's decision to help a stranded truck driver led to his death after critical tick-off procedures were ignored, the safety watchdog has alleged.

A truck driver has been charged after a worker died from injuries suffered at BMA's Saraji Coal Mine near Moranbah.

The driver accused of causing a young mine worker’s fatal crush injuries allegedly skipped critical site safety protocols while attempting to unbog his fuel tanker when the horror tragedy occurred.

These new allegations can be revealed about the charges laid over the death of Luke O’Brien who court documents allege was asked to help move the bogged B-Double.

The 27-year-old died after becoming pinned between his Mazda ute and the bull bar of the fuel tanker in the fuel bay at BMA’s Saraji South mine on January 15, 2025.

The fuel tanker driver Fraser Schifferle, who worked for Emerald Carrying Company a diesel subcontractor to the mine, was completing a delivery to the Dysart site when his 2015 Kenworth T409 prime mover with two semi-trailers “became dry bogged at the fuel farm in Saraji South and required towing and recovery”.

According to the court documents viewed by this publication, Mr Schifferle “approached Luke O’Brien for assistance with the B-double truck” before the pair “took steps” to recover it.

Luke O'Brien, pictured in happier times, tragically died of crush injuries suffered on the job. Picture: Supplied

Mr O’Brien parked his Mazda BT-50 ute in front of the fuel tanker and attached a sling to the larger vehicle.

The documents state Mr Schifferle got into the ute and reversed towards the B-double so the sling could be attached, and he could recover his truck.

Tragically “Mr O’Brien was crushed between the utility being operated by (Mr Schifferle) and the B-double truck”, the documents stated.

Mr O’Brien, who worked for one of BMA’s contracting partners BEP Engineering and Maintenance, was taken to Dysart Hospital where he died from chest injuries after being crushed between the two vehicles.

The 27 year old was pinned between two vehicles and suffered fatal crush injuries at Saraji mine on January 15.

  
As a result, industry watchdog Resources Safety and Health Queensland conducted an extensive investigation and presented a brief of evidence to Work Health and Safety prosecutor Simon Nicholson, who has since charged Mr Schifferle with two counts of failing to discharge health and safety obligations, one of which caused Mr O’Brien’s death.

“(Mr Schifferle) did not comply with the vehicle’s SOP (standard operating procedure) in that he operated a light vehicle when he was not trained, competent and authorised or undergoing authorised training to operate a light vehicle at Saraji South,” the documents allege.

The court documents also stated Mr Schifferle had completed online training and gained competency in January 2020 in the BMA Coal standard operating procedure for towing and recovery of vehicle and mobile equipment - which formed part of the safety and health management system.

Under this, a worker was required to obtain permits or permissions needed for a towing operation and, before starting, complete a recovery authority with the appropriate approval that included being signed by the recovery supervisor.

Mr Nicholson further alleged Mr Schifferle failed to obtain the required permits or permissions or ensure the recovery authority had been completed in full.

The case will be mentioned in Mackay Magistrates Court next month.