Resources Safety and Health Queensland calls for improved bulldozer safety measures after man dies near Meandu, Nanango coal mine

Calls for improved safety standards have been made days after a worker was crushed and killed by a bulldozer near a coal mine in the Darling Downs.

A chief inspector for the state’s resources sector has called for improved safety standards after a man was crushed and killed by a bulldozer near a Darling Downs coal mine.

The fatal incident occurred at a construction site near the intersection of Ridge Rd and Tarong Power Station Rd, shortly before 9am on Wednesday, October 4.

It is understood the man was outside of the bulldozer when it rolled down a hill and crushed him at a PowerLink Queensland construction site, near the Meandu coal mine at Nanango.

Sadly, the 55-year-old man died as a result.

Resources Safety and Health Queensland coal mines chief inspector Jacques le Roux.

Resources Safety and Health Queensland coal mines chief inspector Jacques le Roux said the incident was a timely reminder that dozer safety improvements were required.

“It is so tragic to hear about an incident recently involving the rollover of a dozer,” Mr le Roux said.

“We’ve seen a significant amount of these incidents in our industry and it’s so important that we improve dozer safety in Queensland.”

The chief inspector put forward a number of ways dozer incidents could be prevented in the future, including edge protection and wearing seatbelts.

A 55-year-old man has died after a bulldozer rolled at a Powerlink worksite near the Meandu Mine and Tarong Power Station at Nanango

A Powerlink spokesman previously told The Chronicle the company was investigating the fatal incident.

“Powerlink considers providing a safe working environment for its employees, contractors and the public as essential,” he said.

“We will co-operate with the appropriate authorities.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and colleagues.”

Crews from the Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the scene, but they were unable to save the man.

A worker was injured after a bulldozer rolled near the Tarong Power Station and it associated coal mine, Meandu, at Nanango.

The incident is being investigated by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, supported by the Queensland Police Service.

It comes after Resources Safety and Health Queensland recorded a spike in dozer rollovers with 19 incidents recorded from January 2022 to August 2023.