A worker was seriously injured after falling from an articulated dump truck at a New South Wales mine.
The plant operator suffered a skull fracture after the February incident, according to a New South Wales Mine Safety Investigation Unit release.
The worker was preparing to unload the dump truck, which was transported to the Sibelco Salt Ash Sand Plant, on to a low loader.
During preparation, the operator accessed the top of the right front wheel arch to adjust the side mirror. After making the adjustment, the operator turned and walked toward the access steps where he fell to ground level.
The incident was recorded on CCTV video equipment, which shows that the plant operator was alone on the right side front wheel arch and that the dump truck and the low loader remained
stationary during the incident.
“The Volvo A30 dump truck had access grab handles for the steps, and handrails for the platform next to the driver’s left side entry door of the cabin. The right side did not have a handrail for the
platform, although two grab handles had been installed for the right side access steps,” the release says.
“The plant operator appears to have turned to face the rear of the dump truck and walked to the top access step where he has turned his upper body and reached for the grab handle on his right with his left hand. While twisting to reach the grab handle he has fallen to ground level below the low loader.”
The NSW Mine Safety Investigation Unit has commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.
“A person falling from height from mobile plant is a foreseeable risk and adequate measures should be put in place to control the risk. The provision of safe access equipment on mobile plant is a
critical control measure to reduce the risk of falling from mobile plant,” the investigation unit said.
“Mine operators must manage the risk of a person falling from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury to that person or any other person.”
An investigation report will be prepared for the Secretary of the NSW Department of Industry.
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