Mt Lyell copper mine manager wanted further safety analysis before fatal mudrush

A MT Lyell mine manager wanted an extra safety inspection on an area of the mine where a mudrush killed a machinery operator, an inquest has heard.

The Mt Lyell copper mine in Queenstown.

MT Lyell copper mine manager Jared DeRoss wanted an extra safety inspection carried out on an area of the mine where a mudrush killed machinery operator Michael Welsh, 53, on January 17, 2014, an inquest has heard.

Mr DeRoss told an inquest into Mr Welsh’s death that he arrived for work at the Copper Mines of Tasmania Queenstown mine about 7am on January 17 and saw a hazard report about a draw point — an area where ore is loaded — known as TD14.

The inquest, before Coroner Simon Cooper, has previously heard the January 16 night shift crew raised the draw point’s safety rating to medium, the second-highest rating in the four-level system.

A medium rating means access to the area is restricted until a supervisor inspects it and deems it safe.

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Mr DeRoss said he heard there had been some disagreement among other senior workers at the mine, which was why he wanted to have a job safety analysis performed.

“I distinctly remember saying from what I read on this hazard report it should be at least a medium,” he said.

Mr DeRoss said a job safety analysis would not normally be part of the process.

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The inquest previously heard supervisor David Woolley and Mr Welsh went to the draw point about 7.15am on January 17 to inspect the area and decided it was safe.

Mr Woolley left Mr Welsh to work in the area and the mudrush happened within 20 minutes.

Mr DeRoss also told the inquest the mine would employ consultants to advise on safety matters, and that he would carry out “informal” audits regularly.

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The mine has not operated since Mr Welsh was killed, but Copper Mines of Tasmania plans to reopen the mine.

The inquest is also examining the December 2013 deaths of Alistair Lucas, 25, and Craig Gleeson, 45, who died after a platform they were working on in the mine shaft collapsed.

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