‘Safety systems not adequate’: Coroner hands down findings in inquest into death of Gareth Dodunski at central Queensland mine site

Mine investigators could be given new coercive powers if recommendations flowing from an inquest into the death of a drill rig worker are adopted.

Mine investigators could be given new coercive powers if recommendations flowing from an inquest into the death of a drill rig worker are heeded by the Queensland Government.

Coroner Donald MacKenzie on Thursday handed down his findings into the death of Gareth Leo Dodunski at the Fairview Mining Camp, north of Roma, in June 2013.

The 21-year-old leasehand died after being struck in the head by a large piece of drill rig machinery called an ST-80 when it was inadvertently activated by a co-worker while Mr Dodunski was still in the “danger zone” on the rig.

Gareth Dodunksi, 21, was killed on a gas drill rig north of Roma in June 2013.

A number of key personnel from the drill rig operator – Saxon Energy Services Australia – and Santos Limited, which contracted Saxon, declined to participate in formal interviews with the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate following Mr Dodunski‘s death, the inquest heard.

Mr MacKenzie said it was their legal right to decline interviews and made no criticism of them.

“However, it is clear that the investigation was limited by the inability of investigators to compel all relevant witnesses to give information or answer questions, while preserving the protection of the privilege against self incrimination,” he said.

Mr MacKenzie recommended the State Government give consideration to amending the Petroleum & Gas Act to authorise investigators of serious incidents to require people to give information or answer questions.

The inquest hearing last year was the first time Saxon driller Jacob Kilby, who activated the ST-80 which then fatally struck Mr Dodunski, gave evidence under affirmation.

He told the inquest he had never practised bringing the ST-80 to an emergency stop, nor had he had any particular training about emergencies involving the ST-80.

Michelle and Philip Dodunski, at the Inquest into a mining death of there son Gareth Dodunski in Mackay.

Mr MacKenzie said he found Mr Kilby a cooperative and honest witness who was contrite and still distressed by the incident.

“I accept Mr Kilby’s evidence that he activated the ST-80 in a moment of distraction and inadvertence and immediately tried to retract the ST-80 but pressed the wrong button … he readily acknowledged that his inexperience was a factor which contributed to this tragedy,” Mr Mackenzie said.

Saxon and Mr Kilby were found guilty of industrial offences stemming from the incident in 2018 but these were overturned on appeal.

A Saxon operations manager Carl Thomas was found not guilty of an industrial offence by an Industrial Magistrate in 2019.

Mr MacKenzie said Mr Thomas did not present as a reliable or credible witness at the inquest and his self appointment as “liaison” between Saxon and the Dodunski family “is so littered with conflict of interest that it was reprehensible”.

Mr MacKenzie did not accept Mr Thomas’ contention – that he was essentially only responsible for the administrative task of checking third parties had certified that various machinery adhered to the relevant safety standards – was not contradicted by any evidence before the court.

“However, I make no further observations or findings about Mr Thomas,” he said.

The Dodunski family have waited years for answers.

Mr Mackenzie found the safety management systems in place for the drill rig Mr Dodunski was working on at the time “were not adequate to prevent or minimise risk of death or injury relating to the operation of” the ST-80.

The safety systems included engineering measures on the rig to control the ST-80 and

restrict its operations while workers were in the danger zone, administrative controls in the form of policies, procedures and directions given to the crew using the ST-80,

the training and qualifications of crew members and oversight measures intended to ensure risks were properly identified and mitigated.

However he made no recommendations on this, noting changes made since Mr Dodunski’s death meant the safety management systems now in place were “adequate to prevent or minimise risk of death or injury” relating to ST-80.

Mr MacKenzie paid tribute to Mr Dodunski’s parents, Philip and Michelle, “who have relentlessly sought answers about the circumstances of Gareth’s death”.

“I again express my condolences on the family’s tragic loss of a fine young man,” he said.

“His family have worked tirelessly to ensure that Gareth’s death is not forgotten and to advocate for improvements in the industry which would ensure that such a death does not occur again to another family.”