RSHQ warns Qld coal mines after spike in dozer rollovers

The Mine safety regulator has put Queensland coal mines on notice on the back of a spike in dozer rollovers. DETAILS.

The Mine safety watchdog has issued a stern warning to Queensland coal mines – pick up your act or operations will be suspended.

This comes as Resources Safety and Health Queensland recorded a spike in dozer rollovers with 19 incidents recorded from January 2022 to August 2023, with the two most recent occurring within two days at Bowen Basin mines.

The incidents occurred at BMA’s Blackwater and Stanmore Resources’ Isaac Plains mines. No one was injured and the incidents are being investigated.

They follow a digger rollover at BMA’s Saraji mine on July 16, which resulted in a worker suffering a minor injury.

A dozer rollover at Blackwater mine. Picture: RSHQ

It is understood a trainer had been instructing a trainee, who had been operating the EX5600 excavator at the time of the fall.

In January this year a man suffered serious injuries including broken ribs, back and pelvis when the dozer he was operating rolled five times, also at Saraji mine.

A dozer rollover at Isaac Plains mine. Picture: RSHQ

And less than 12 hours earlier a dozer trammed backwards into a body of water at Coronado Global Resources’ Curragh mine.

On December 31, 2018, Saraji was the scene of a tragic fatality involving a dozer that rolled 18m down an embankment.

The incident claimed the life of Gracemere father Allan Houston, who drowned in a pool of mud and water.

Allan Houston was killed on New Year's Eve in a mining accident at Saraji Mine near Dysart.

A major cause of dozer rollovers is inadequate edge protection.

The resource industry’s safety regulator has warned it will be targeting mines and suspended operations when the risk is not at an acceptable level.

Once this happens, the mine must show it has improved safety and removed hazards before being allowed to operate again.

In the past 12 months RSHQ has issued 350 directives to Queensland coal mines for myriad issues and suspended 53 operations, which equates to one in seven.

RSHQ investigated a dozer incident at Curragh mine (pictured) less than 12 hours before a man was seriously injured at Saraji mine when a dozer reportedly rolled 12 times down the dig face.

The authority can also refer mines to the Serious Incident Investigation Unit which can take legal action against the site senior executive and operator.

“RSHQ is not afraid to take tough action against mines who won’t improve safety for workers, despite our continued effort to encourage best practice,” said RSHQ Acting Chief Inspector of Coal Mines Jacques le Roux.

“It’s going to take the regulator, union and mines all working together to fix this issue.

“Mining safety laws give stop-work powers to worker-elected safety representatives and union-appointed officials, similar to the regulator’s powers.

“If working conditions are unsafe, the law expects them to use those powers.”

The safety crackdown comes after RSHQ highlighted a dangerous pattern involving cranes at Bowen Basin coal mines after reports of two incidents in two days.