Worker trapped between vehicles at Bowen Basin mine sparks safety alert
A coal mine worker's near-miss has triggered an industry safety alert, after a similar incident caused the death of a 27 year old at a Qld mine.
A coal mine worker narrowly escaped serious injury or death after being trapped between two vehicles at a Bowen Basin mine site in a high-risk incident that sparked an industry-wide safety alert.
This comes following revelations a worker is facing charges following a similar incident that resulted in the fatal crush death of Mackay’s Luke O’Brien at BMA’s Saraji South mine in January 2024.
Mr O’Brien, 27, died after he was pinned between his work and a dry-bogged B-double.
The other worker involved in that incident was charged with failing to discharge health and safety obligations by allegedly skipping critical safety steps before attempting to unbog the truck.
The recent incident, on October 25, 2025, involved a reversing tilt tray truck that came very close to a pick and carry crane, trapping a coal mine worker between the two vehicles.
Resources Safety and Health Queensland coal mines chief inspector Jacques le Roux said no one was seriously injured, but the incident could have been fatal.
“While reversing, a tilt tray truck came very close to a pick and carry crane and trapped a coal mine worker between the two vehicles,” he said.
“This incident could have caused serious injury or death to the worker involved. In 2024 a coal mine worker was fatally injured after becoming trapped between two vehicles.”
The investigation was ongoing and a safety alert was sent out on Wednesday afternoon.
In the alert RSHQ stated the tilt tray truck had been loaded with a demountable building from the rear, with the crane parked about 1.1m behind the truck.
The truck driver had tied down the load and was heading to the vehicle’s cab, while the worker had moved to the front of the crane to load the rigging gear into the storage compartment.
“The truck reversed back and made contact with the worker,” the RSHQ alert stated.
“It stopped after hearing the horn sounding from the pick and carry crane.”
Mr le Roux said “all work parties should be in constant communication when vehicles are going to be moved”.
“Workers should avoid being in the line of fire,” he said.
RSHQ said if operators could not see all areas when moving a vehicle, they should always ensure a spotter was used at a safe distance.
“Before entering any tight area between an object and a machine that has the potential to move, workers should always check that the machine is isolated and chocked,” he said.
