Safety Alerts and Newsletters
Keep up with the latest safety alerts, news and information
Safety Alerts
10 March 2022
eSafe Safety Alert – Mobile and tower crane hoist limits
The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the risk of hoist rope failure and loads dropping from mobile and tower cranes, which can occur when the hoist limit is disabled or does not function correctly. Employers, builders, workers and crane operators should apply the principles in this alert to any crane with a hoist rope.
More Information
We hope you find the safety alert useful and please feel free to refer it to a colleague.
Further information is available from worksafe.qld.gov.au or by calling Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on 1300 362 128.
9 March 2022
eSafe Safety Alert – Concrete water tank catastrophic failure
The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the risk of catastrophic failure of concrete water tanks made with steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC). This information may be applied to concrete water tanks at workplaces, schools, homes and public areas. However, not all concrete water tanks have a similar construction.
More Information
We hope you find the safety alert useful and please feel free to refer it to a colleague.
Further information is available from worksafe.qld.gov.au or by calling Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on 1300 362 128.
2 February 2022
Mine Safety News – NSW Weekly Incident Summary
Week Ending Friday 21 January, 20212 – 44 Reportable Incidents, 3 Summarised
Dangerous Incident IncNot0041461 Open cut coal
Roads or other vehicle operating areas.
Summary: A dozer working around an excavator went over a bank and slowly rolled onto its right hand side. The driver was able to escape and was not injured.
Comments to Industry
Mine operators should consider recommendations in safety bulletins SB19-01 and SB19-10.
Refer to
Safety Bulletin SB19-01 Rise in dozer incident putting operators at risk
Safety Bulletin SB19-10 Dozer incidents increase despite warnings
2 February 2022
Mine Safety News – NSW Weekly Incident Summary
Week Ending Friday 21 January, 20212 – 44 Reportable Incidents, 3 Summarised
Dangerous Incident IncNot0041461 Open cut coal
Roads or other vehicle operating areas.
Summary: A dozer working around an excavator went over a bank and slowly rolled onto its right hand side. The driver was able to escape and was not injured.
Comments to Industry
Mine operators should consider recommendations in safety bulletins SB19-01 and SB19-10.
Refer to
Safety Bulletin SB19-01 Rise in dozer incident putting operators at risk
Safety Bulletin SB19-10 Dozer incidents increase despite warnings
1 February 2022
SafeWork SA
Three serious falls from ladders in 6 weeks
Over the past 6 weeks, one construction worker was killed and two were seriously injured in three separate falls less than 2 metres.
Explosion modifying storage drum
SafeWork SA is currently investigating an incident where a worker sustained serious burns whilst cutting into a steel drum using oxy-acetylene equipment.
Expiation notices for high risk work without a licence
Two construction businesses have been fined for allowing workers to undertake high risk work without the appropriate high risk work licence.
20 December 2021
Fit testing for tight-fitting respirators
The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the importance of fit testing for tight-fitting respirators for workers who need to use them, and to reinforce this requirement under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.
11 December 2021
MinEx – NSW Weekly Incident Summary
Week Ending Friday 3 December, 2021 – 31 Reportable Incidents, 4 Summarised
Dangerous Incident IncNot0041198 Surface Coal
Summary: A haul truck was travelling adjacent to an office complex and car park. The position five tyre failed, causing stones to be thrown towards the office complex and car park. A window was broken and a golf ball-sized rock landed near a person in the car park. There were no injuries.
16 November 2021
Work-related fatalities in 2020
Safe Work Australia has published the Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities Australia 2020 report, which provides the latest detailed national statistics on all workers and bystanders fatally injured at work.
While the rate of work-related fatalities has decreased 25% over the last decade and 50% since 2007, any workplace death is unacceptable.
Tragically, 194 people were fatally injured at work in 2020.
Understanding the causes of injury and the industries most affected can help reduce work-related fatalities.
The report details that 68% of worker fatalities occurred in the following industries:
- Transport, postal and warehousing (49 fatalities)
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing (46 fatalities)
- Construction (36 fatalities)
The most common causes of worker fatalities were:
- Vehicle collisions (41%)
- Being hit by moving objects (13%)
- Falls from a height (11%)
12 November 2021
Do you work with chemicals?
Hazardous Chemical Information System update
Safe Work Australia was alerted to an issue on the Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS) with the skin and sensitisation notations missing from the workplace exposure standards entries on HCIS for an extended period of time.
This issue has now been rectified, with all relevant notations for all exposure standards now appearing on HCIS.
29 October 2021
Incident alert – Worker dies after being struck by mobile crane
In August 2021, a worker died after being struck by a mobile crane in pick-and-carry mode (lift and shift). Early investigations indicate the man was acting as a dogger and in control of a load when he was holding a tag (tether) line attached to the load that was being relocated at a workplace. It appears the worker was walking between the front of the mobile crane and the load when he was hit by the crane.
28 October 2021
Safe use of quick hitches on excavators – Worker injured
What happened?
A worker was seriously injured while performing maintenance work on the bucket of a 30-tonne excavator. The bucket suddenly detached from its quick hitch, swinging about 1.5 metres before it fell to the ground. The worker was knocked over by the bucket, hitting their head on the concrete floor and sustaining a crush injury to their leg.
28 October 2021
MinEx – NSW Weekly Incident Summary
Week Ending Friday 15 October, 2021 – 43 Reportable Incidents, 3 Summarised
Dangerous Incident IncNot0040901 Coal Processing
Summary: A team of fitters were replacing a hydraulic cylinder above a conveyor. A hired elevated work platform (EWP) was required to access the cylinder. The EWP basket was moved into position to allow removal of the old cylinder. After releasing the joystick (while the operator’s foot was still on the deadman switch), the basket moved up approximately 200 millimetres. The safety bar contacted the cylinder support structure, which activated and stopped the EWP.
27 September 2021
MinEx – NSW Weekly Incident Summary
Week Ending Friday 17 September, 2021 – 48 Reportable Incidents, 3 Summarised
Dangerous Incident IncNot0040738 Construction Materials
Principal mining hazard: Roads or other vehicle operating areas
Summary: A 50-tonne excavator was operating on a pad of material that was being fed into a mobile crusher when the air conditioner failed. Consequently, the operator swapped to a 20-tonne excavator. While setting up to cut down the pad, the operator reversed off the edge of the pad, rolling backwards down the 3.5 metres face.
22 September 2021
MinEx – NSW Weekly Incident Summary
Week Ending Friday 3 September, 2021 – 37 Reportable Incidents, 1 Summarised
Dangerous Incident IncNot0040631 Underground coal mine
Summary: The lift frame welds failed and dropped the load of an Eimco 130 LHD. At the time, the operator was stopping at a set of block lights. The LHD was carrying a QDS pod loaded with four pallets. The operator was uninjured.
21 September 2021
MinEx -Managing heat exposure in coal mines
Summer 2020/21
BACKGROUND
As summer approaches, Queensland coal mines have already started to experience hot weather conditions. Persons with safety and health obligations must ensure that exposures to heat are being effectively managed to an acceptable level of risk at their mine sites.
21 September 2021
MinEx – Worker killed while using an unguarded angle grinder
In June 2021, a worker died from injuries sustained while he was using a 9-inch (230mm) angle grinder to cut the base of a structural steel member at a commercial construction site in Brisbane. It appears a small metal shard was violently ejected from the cutting work and struck his neck. No guarding was fitted to the angle grinder at the time.
21 September 2021
MinEx – Fatality at a collapsed underground coal mine in Queensland
One man is dead and two others have been taken to hospital after an underground coal mine collapse overnight north of Emerald in central Queensland.
Queensland police said they were called to an industrial incident involving a section of a mine collapsing at Lilyvale about 11:00pm.
19 September 2021
MinEx – Human factors – water carts and cabin interfaces
This safety bulletin provides safety advice for the NSW mining industry.
Issue
The NSW Resources Regulator has recently received two notifications of dangerous incidents involving water carts. In each case, the operator has identified that they were distracted at the time of the incident.
17 September 2021
MinEx – Worker injured using hammer and bolster
A worker was splitting a rock with a hammer and bolster when he felt a muscle strain.
He continued working however the pain became worse and he stopped the task to rest. Occupational injuries have been increasing over recent years with sprains and strains, cuts and abrasions, and broken limbs becoming far too common.
There were 21 such incidents in the three months to June 2021.
29 July 2021
MinEx – NSW Weekly Incident Summary
Week Ending Friday 9 July, 2021 – 18 Reportable Incidents, 1 Summarised
Dangerous Incident IncNot0040269 Surface Mine
Summary: A watercart passed through the site wheel wash enclosure and travelled down a sealed asphalt ramp towards the weigh bridge. The watercart was spraying the ramp to remove a build-up of dirt and silt that had dropped from vehicles using the ramp. The operator lost control of the watercart and tried to brake and steer it into the bank but couldn’t stop. It then collided with a truck and dog trailer waiting on the weighbridge. The operator had mistakenly assumed the truck was in the process of exiting the weighbridge when he began his descent.
29 July 2021
MinEx – Suspension trauma, cause for rescue of an at height drill person
For the purpose of a rescue at height drill, a person on the main deck suspended himself 1.5 metres from the deck in a safety harness with a ladder stand-by, while crew gathered on the bridge.
After contacting crew on the bridge by radio, the person in the safety harness stepped on the ladder for a second time to reposition the safety harness. After this, the person stepped off the ladder to make it look like a real situation for rescue.
A fall arrestor was used for lifting the person to disconnect him from the sling he was hanging on. During this phase of the exercise, he passed out and lost his consciousness whilst being lifted.
28 July 2021
MinEx – Failure to correctly isolate plant
Verify the effectiveness of Isolation
Department: Lead Smelter Location: Filter Floor
Brief Description
While workers were conducting maintenance on the filter, the main isolator was observed to be locked in the ‘ON’ position, with the LCU switched to ‘Maintenance’. The lockout was found to be ineffective. The preliminary findings from the incident indicates that:
- multiple workgroups had locked onto the isolator, however the effectiveness of isolation was notverified
- the design of the isolator allows for it to be locked in ‘ON’ position
- there was no markings on the isolator to indicate ‘ON or OFF’ position.
28 July 2021
MinEx – A stabiliser on a truck extended and struck another vehicle
WPHS Qld Alert – Palfinger stabiliser locking system
Purpose
The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the risk of unintentional extension of stabilisers on vehicle loading cranes (VLCs) and, in particular the operation of the stabiliser locking system on some models of Palfinger vehicle loading cranes (VLCs).
Background
In 2020 the left-hand stabiliser on a Palfinger PK 10000 VLC extended while the truck was being driven and struck another vehicle.
27 July 2021
MinEx – NZ Safety Alert – Worker injured after ingesting fuel
On Tuesday 7 July 2021, a worker ingested an unknown quantity of unleaded fuel while priming a siphon to transfer fuel from one portable generator to another. He was taken to the nearest medical centre where the doctor that examined him admitted him to Middlemore A&E. He underwent a nasal lavage and was kept under observation for several hours before being discharged.
27 July 2021
MinEx – NZ Safety Alert – Near miss – Crane wedge and socket
A hire crane was on site when the wire rope pulled through the terminal end wedge and socket. The investigation found that the wedge and socket were not a pair, and the wedge was too wide. It did not put adequate clamping pressure on the rope.
Falls are a major cause of fatalities in the extractives sector, both in New Zealand and
internationally. Of the now nine fatalities in the extractives sector since 2011, six of them were a result of falls.
26 July 2021
MinEx – Rope sheave guard fell from top of drill rig’s mast
What Happened?
A Soilmec SR45 drill rig was carrying out normal piling operations. As the Kelly bar was retracted from the pile the Kelly bar guide passed through the electronic limit switch that cuts out the system. Before the hydraulics could cut out, the Kelly rope crimp and swivel connected with the rope sheave guard, shearing the six bolts retaining the guard. This resulted in the guard coming off the mast and falling to the ground.
26 July 2021
MinEx – NZ Alert – Competency or supervision required when operating cranes
WorkSafe New Zealand is warning businesses that it is unacceptable to allow staff to operate cranes and other machinery without direct supervision or appropriate training. The warning comes after a fatal incident in Christchurch in January 2020.
An employee at Glaziers Choice Limited, trading as Stake Glass, was crushed by a pack lifter crane implement which was attached to a 2.5 tonne pack of glass. The overhead gantry crane was controlled by a handheld remote control, and the employee had climbed up the pack lifter to hook the crane hook onto it.
23 July 2021
MinEx – Two near misses involving the delivery of concrete
Incident Alert
There have been two near misses involving delivery of concrete to customer’s sites.
Incident 1 – A mixer driver filled a concrete skip on a customer’s site. A construction site operative attached a metal lifting chain to the concrete skip and then directed a plant operative to lift it with a loadall. When the skip was at a height of approximately 2m, the lifting chain snapped and the skip fell. It landed at the rear passenger side of the lorry. Fortunately, the driver had stepped away from the lifting zone. This had the potential to be very serious. The driver noted that after the incident, the site personnel then lifted the skip with a worn webbed sling.
23 July 2021
MinEx – Potential hazard to road users created by rocks trapped between tipper’s tyres
Incident Alert
An individual travelling in the passenger seat of a vehicle was killed when he was struck by a flying object. Press reports have suggested that the flying object was a piece of rock ejected from between the dual tyres of a tipper truck. Although the full details of this incident are still being investigated, this incident alert is being issued to raise awareness of the potential hazard that can be presented by rocks, stones or other items being trapped between the dual tyres of vehicles. This can occur on some types of on-site mobile plant, LGV’s, tippers and mixer trucks. The hazards include:
- Rocks being ejected at high velocity as the vehicle travels with a risk of other vehicles and pedestrians being struck
- Damage to tyres resulting in failure and sudden deflation/disintegration resulting in the loss of control of the vehicle and its associated risks to others.
22 July 2021
MinEx – Incident animation video – 2019 fatality at Snapper Mineral Sands Mine
On 12 August 2019 a worker suffered fatal injuries arising from a collision between a reversing dozer and a light vehicle at the Snapper Mineral Sands Mine.
21 July 2021
MinEx – NSW Weekly Incident Summary
Week ending 2 July, 2021 – 32 Reportable Incidents, 2 Summarised
Dangerous Incident – IncNot0040210 – Underground Coal Mine
Summary: During a maintenance period, two separate crews were working on the long wall belt. The first crew, at 5 cut through, isolated and locked out using the remote isolation system. The second crew, at 3 cut through, later isolated and locked out at a different location, using the same remote isolation system. When the first crew removed their locks and isolation, the deputy called the control room operator to start the belt. The pre-start warning sounded and the belt began moving while a person at 3 cut through was standing on the belt. Another worker pulled the lanyard which operated a switch and stopped the belt. There were no injuries.
17 July 2021
MinEx – NSW Summary – Vehicle rolled away during hot seat changeover
The operator of a dump truck parked on a dump to allow hot seat changeover. The operator was unable to activate the primary access ladder to exit the truck. After several attempts, the operator restarted the truck, exited via the emergency ladder and then activated the ground level e-stop and isolation switch. The truck then rolled forward approximately 50 metres, contacted a windrow and rolled back approximately 17 metres before stopping. The truck was not parked in a fundamentally stable manner.
16 July 2021
MinEx – Fatality Alert – Miner engulfed by raw material
Mine Fatality – 7 June 2021
A miner entered the top of a primary feed hopper to break up and remove a large rock. Raw material that remained on the sides of the hopper sloughed off and engulfed the miner.
15 July 2021
MinEx – Importance of wearing the correct eye PPE
Three separate incidents have recently occurred onboard UK marine aggregate dredgers where individuals undertaking routine tasks on board received debris in their eyes.Two of these incidents were the result of undertaking activities where the risk assessment should have flagged up the need to wear the correct eye PPE. One was grinding and the other washing down the deck. In both cases, safety glasses were being worn when more appropriately goggles should have been required.
14 July 2021
MinEx – Fatality caused by explosion of corroded fire extinguisher
A person discharged a corroded handheld cartridge-type, dry chemical powder fire extinguisher which had been condemned during an annual third-party inspection. When the internal carbon dioxide cylinder was activated to energize the fire extinguisher, the unit ruptured at the corroded base, exploded, and struck the IP causing critical head injuries.
14 July 2021
MinEx – Arm crushed between outrigger leg and safety cage
UK Bulletin 103 -Crushed Arm Hutte 204 Incident
After moving and setting up the Hutte 204 rig the operator and the IP were having a conversation about changing a component. Both parties were standing next to the rig. The rig operator wanted to adjust the outrigger position. The operator activated the remote control to make the adjustment however the outrigger moved in the opposite direction to that expected.
12 July 2021
MinEx – NZ Safety Alert – Quarry fatality from rock fall
Our hearts and thoughts are with the family, friends and workmates of a quarry worker fatally injured at a small farm quarry. Details have not yet been released and we need to respect those involved by not speculating on the circumstances. What we do know is that a rock fell onto an excavator fatally injuring the operator. Falls are a major cause of fatalities in the extractives sector, both in New Zealand and internationally. Of the now nine fatalities in the extractives sector since 2011, six of them were a result of falls.
16 June 2021
Fatality at Silver Lake underground mine
Silver Lake Resources underground operations at an Eastern Goldfields mine in WA has been suspended after the death of a contractor on Thursday morning (10 June 2021).
Silver Lake Resources Limited issued a statement advising that a MacMahon Mining Services contractor at its Daisy Complex mine at Mount Monger has passed away. An investigation into the circumstances of the contractor’s passing is under way and the Western Australia Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has been notified. Underground operations at the Daisy Complex mine have been temporarily suspended in accordance with normal statutory requirements.
16 June 2021
Australasian Mine Safety Journal – Latest News
ICMM publishes 2020 safety performance data of members
The International Council on Mining and Metals has released a report that benchmarks the 2020 safety performance of its members. ICMM company members recorded 44 occupational fatalities in 2020.
Company director jailed for death of worker in WA
Company director has recently been handed down a prison sentence in the Magistrates Court.
Building failures during severe weather events
Queensland coal mines have recently experienced severe weather events characterised by very high wind gusts, hail and heavy rain.
Near miss following unplanned movement of autonomous haul trucks
The Government of Western Australia has raised a safety alert following the unexpected movement of two autonomous haul trucks during operator boarding.
Driller enters charged shot area
A drill operator accessed the charged shot area without authorisation at an open cut coal mine in NSW.
For further reading including details of the AMSJ Mine Safety App Launch, International News and Products and Services News, please click the link below.
24 March 2021
NSW Weekly Incident Summary – Mine Safety News
This incident summary provides information on reportable incidents and safety advice for the NSW mining industry. To report an incident to the NSW Resources Regulator: phone 1300 814 609, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
AT A GLANCE
A high-level summary of emerging trends and our recommendations to operators. Week ending Friday, 5 March, 2021.
24 March 2021
MinEx – A boom lift slides during stabilisation phase
Flash accident
Description
When working in an area with a steep slope, a boom lift slipped while the stabilising skids were being extended.
Cause
• Steepslope (21%)
• The boom lift was positioned with the rear on the slope
• The 4 wheels were lifted off the ground.
Consequences
One of the workers injured his back while trying to control the machine. The boom lift slid on the stabilising runners for several metres and tore off a neighbour’s mailbox. The consequences could have been dramatic.
23 March 2021
MinEx – Uncontrolled release of bitumen from gantry hose
What happened?
A Higgins bitumen sprayer was positioned under the plant gantry hose in preparation to transfer bitumen. The Sprayer Operator advised the asphalt plant operator of the bitumen quantity required. The asphalt plant operator then proceeded to turn the tank valve on from the control room.
At approximately 10.15am after turning the valve on, bitumen started flowing out of the gantry line onto the bitumen sprayer and surrounding surfaced area. The Sprayer Operator, who was standing approximately 10m away from the bitumen sprayer, then started yelling out to the asphalt plant operator to stop the pump from the control room.
23 March 2021
MinEx – 3 Machinery overturning incidents in 1 month
Circumstances
- Overturning of an excavator while handling a strut: excavator not facing the direction of travel when travelling with a load on a slope
- Overturning of a toucan aerial work platform while travelling across a ramp: the aerial lift gets onto the ramp with the counterweights on the low-point end of the ramp
- Overturning of a mini-excavator while transporting soil: the operator runs one of the loaded mini-excavator’s track over a pit.
22 March 2021
MinEx – Operator working at height on top of loader with no fall restraint and engine running
Brief Description
An Operator was observed on video footage exiting the cabin and climbing on top of an underground loader via the articulation area/midship steps and rear steps to adjust vent.
Whilst Operator was on top of the loader, the engine was still running. The Operator was not safeguarded by a fall prevention system or protection device.
On review of the footage, the Operator was observed to conduct the activity on more than one occasion.
22 March 2021
NZ Safety Alert – Rockfall damages excavator
While an excavator was working at the toe of a bench, a rock fell out of the face hitting the excavator. The excavator was damaged, but no injuries were sustained by the operator.
The MinEx field booklet, “Slope stability in opencast mines and quarries,” states that: “A catch bund is an important control to minimise exposure of quarry workers to ground failure hazards and contain rock falls. The dimensions and position of the catch bund will depend on the size of the potential slope failure or rockfall.”
12 February 2021
January 2021: Elevated work box falls from integrated tool carrier
This safety alert provides safety advice for the NSW mining industry.
Background
Issue
A workbox detached and fell two metres from an integrated tool carrier(IT). The workbox hit the ground and rolled 90 degrees onto its side. Two mine workers located in the workbox,were partially ejected from the workbox and suffered minor injuries.
Circumstances
The incident occurred on 9 January 2021.
Two workers were tasked with installing a secondary vent fan from the roof (backs) in the main decline of an underground metalliferous mine using an integrated tool carrier (IT) and combination fan lifting/ workbox. The workbox, with fan restrained, had been attached to the IT during the previous shift and parked in a nearby adjacent heading ready for the commencement of work. In line with the requirements of a pre-start inspection, the operator believed he had ‘confirmed’ engagement of the attachment locking pins by lifting the work box from the ground and tilting it forward. He did not visually inspect the locking pins to ensure they had fully engaged the workbox attachment.
12 February 2021
NSW Weekly Incident Summary – Mine Safety News
This incident summary provides information on reportable incidents and safety advice for the NSW mining industry. To report an incident to the NSW Resources Regulator: phone 1300 814 609,24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
AT A GLANCE
High-level summary of emerging trends and our recommendations to operators. Please note the reportable incident total is recorded for the period 16 January 2021 to 22 January 2021.
11 February 2021
MinEx – Dangers of unguarded machinery and plant
The purpose of this Safety Alert is to highlight the risk of serious or fatal injuries when working on or near unguarded machinery.
Background
In late December 2020, a Territory cattle station worker failed to return after checking bores on the property. The worker was later found entangled in a bore pump with fatal injuries. Preliminary findings indicate the workers clothing got caught in the bore pump’s moving parts.
Possible contributing factors
The pump’s pulley’s and belt were unguarded exposing the worker to a number of hazards including entanglement, friction and abrasion hazards, when the pump was running.
11 February 2021
COVID-19 UPDATE FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S RESOURCES SECTOR
South Australia has amended restrictions on travellers arriving in South Australia from the Greater Melbourne region.
The changed restrictions are available on the South Australian Government’s Cross-Border Directions web page as Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 36) (COVID-19) Direction 2021, which came into effect from 12 midnight Thursday 11 February 2021.
The updated directions also maintain the previous cross-border restrictions on travellers from prohibited zones in Western Australia and New South Wales.
10 February 2021
MinEx – Fatality Alert – Mine Fatalities
On December 14, 2020, two miners died when a back failure occurred in a large four-way intersection. The miners were pumping sealing grout in the intersection when blocks of salt and anhydrite fell from beneath a slickenside onto the miners.
Best Practices
• In areas of excessive span or adverse geology:
• Install supplemental ground support to control strata movement.
• Install sag monitors or extensometers to detect ground movement or strata separation.
• Drill and evaluate test holes for strata separation using a borescope or scratch test.
10 February 2021
MinEx – NZ Alert – Injury while breaking rock
A worker was using a hammer and bolster to break rock at a quarry when he missed the bolster and hit his wrist, resulting in bruising to his wrist.
The task was early in the workers shift and he admitted to “rushing” the job.
There has been a significant increase in occupational injuries from the use of hand tools and other equipment over the past 18 months.
Many of these have been due to; lack of attention by the worker, use of inappropriate tools and equipment, and unsuitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Training Resources
4 September 2020
South Australian COVID-19 Awareness Training
Keeping yourself and others safe
This 30-minute online training module is for tourism workers in all settings.
It covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19.
What the training covers
This training module covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19 including:
- What is COVID-19?
- Symptoms to watch out for
- How to keep yourself and others safe
- What to do if you think you might have COVID-19
- Tips and additional information
Users must register, but registration is open to anyone.
Safety Resources
3 February 2020
First aid for heat-related illness
Workplaces have a duty to provide first aid equipment and facilities, and access to trained first aid officers, for sick or injured workers. Heat-related illness is progressive. If the worker is not treated or remains in a hot environment, it can be fatal.
The following fact sheet provides advice and guidance on providing first aid to someone experiencing a heat-related illness.
Info Alerts
3 March 2022
SafeWork SA – New guidance on Respiratory Protective Equipment
We have published new information and guidance on Respiratory Protective Equipment. After recent compliance audits highlighted the need for greater education and clarity on WHS expectations.
22 February 2022
COVID-19 UPDATE: COVID-19 WHS and Rapid Antigen Testing
Safe Work Australia has published guidance for employers on COVID-19 rapid antigen testing.
The information will help employers determine whether a rapid antigen testing program (RAT program) for their workers is a reasonably practicable control measure to manage the risks of COVID-19 at work.
Remember: Even if you determine that a rapid antigen testing program is a reasonably practicable control measure for your workplace, you must continue to implement all other reasonably practicable control measures to minimise the risks from COVID-19.
For more information about work health and safety for your industry and COVID-19 please see the link below.
6 February 2022
Update for the Resources and Energy Sector – Severe Weather Impacts on Infrastructure
Recent severe weather and associated flooding has caused significant disruption to transport and supply lines affecting regional and remote communities and industries across the State, especially in the Far North and Upper Spencer Gulf.
26 October 2021
Update for the Resources and Energy Sector – Tuesday 26 October 2021
Several changes have been made to cross-border arrangements for South Australia through an amendment to the Cross Border Travel Associated Directions No 59 & 60. The key changes for the resources and energy sector are as follows:
- A New South Wales cross-border corridor has been reinstated.
- This includes the local government area of Broken Hill and Silverton in New South Wales, and Manna Hill, Olary, Tikalina and Cockburn in South Australia.
- This change allows residents who have had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination, and who have remained in the cross-border corridor during the previous 14 days and not entered other restricted areas in New South Wales, to enter South Australia without restriction.
22 October 2021
Evaluation of occupational health risks in the Queensland resources industry
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is seeking stakeholder views on occupational health risks across the state’s resources industry. The re-identification of mine dust lung disease in the Queensland mining industry demonstrated that in addition to serious safety risks, preventing disease and other health harms must also be a focus.
Read More
21 October 2021
Baseline Review of Occupational Health – Resources Safety and Health Queensland
The baseline review conducted by the research team for this report explored a number of key concepts relating to occupational health, occupational hygiene, statistical analysis, and epidemiology. For brevity, the research team has not provided all relevant background information on these key concepts in this review–findings report.
Read More
24 September 2021
Update for the Resources and Energy Sector – Friday 24 September 2021
The revised cross-border travel exemptions process the Department for Energy and Mining and SA Health put in place from 9 September is working relatively smoothly, although a significant volume of exemption applications continue to be submitted across all sectors and the community. Any issues with individual and group energy and mining sector applications should continue to be raised directly by email to DEM Health so Department staff can assist in providing a timely resolution.
Updates on the exemptions application process since my previous advice:
- Exemption templates should now only be sent to the email address monitored by Department for Energy and Mining staff who are currently operating at the State Control Centre. The SA Health address referred to in previous advice has now been switched off.
- Exemptions continue to be required for all New South Wales, Victoria, and Australian Capital Territory travellers, determined by the ‘restricted zones’ defined in the Cross-Border Travel Associated Direction, rather than areas in lockdown as previously indicated.
22 January 2021
Safe Work Australia – Elevating Work Platforms
Did you know that elevating work platforms need to be inspected at least annually?
Safe Work Australia has published new guidance for inspecting and maintaining elevating work platforms.
Elevating work platforms are high risk equipment that have caused 9 worker fatalities in the past 5 years (2015-2019). An inspection, maintenance and testing program is crucial to assess their safe operation.
Employers are responsible for keeping workers safe and this includes ensuring that plant equipment is inspected and maintained. Elevating work platforms need to be inspected at least annually.
Employers must also ensure that workers are given the necessary information, training, instruction and supervision to use elevating work platforms safely.
Download the Guide to inspecting and maintaining elevating work platforms to assist you in making sure your workplace is safe for everyone.
20 January 2021
Workplace exposure standards – public feedback
Public feedback on the draft reports for airborne contaminants contained in releases 2-14 will close on 1 February 2021
Safe Work Australia is reviewing the workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants to ensure they continue to be based on high quality, contemporary evidence and supported by a rigorous scientific approach.
The review will result in the development of a list of health-based recommendations for the workplace exposure standards in Australia. This includes recommendations on the workplace exposure standards values, notations and the list of chemicals.
The final draft reports (release 15) will open for public comment soon. For more information see the Safe Work Australia website.
13 January 2021
COVID-19 UPDATE FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S RESOURCES SECTOR
Update for the Resources and Energy Sector – Friday 8 January 2021
Premier Steven Marshall today announced as of midnight 9 January 2021 restrictions will apply for any travellers arriving in South Australia from Greater Brisbane in response to the Queensland Government’s three-day lockdown of Brisbane, Ipswich, Moreton, Logan and Redland local government areas.
Exemptions for essential travellers to South Australia remain in place, with anyone arriving from COVID-19 hotspots required to undertake testing on days 1, 5 and 12, maintain contact registers, and self-isolate when not at work.
Any person who has already arrived in South Australia and has been in the Greater Brisbane area between 2 January and 7 January must test immediately and again on 13 January 2021. Unless the person has symptoms there is no requirement to quarantine.
Further, any person who arrives in South Australia from the Greater Brisbane area today and before midnight 9 January 2021 must undertake testing within 24 hours of arrival, then on day 5 and day 12. Again, there is no requirement to quarantine unless symptomatic.
Given the purpose of the Brisbane lockdown is to control the risk of an outbreak of the highly transmissible UK strain of COVID-19, companies are urged to avoid any unnecessary worker movements from identified hotspots.
Further detail can be found online at Queensland lockdown with detailed information also available on key risk areas that are the current focus of urgent contact tracing efforts
Should you have any questions, please contact Martin Reid at the Department for Energy and Mining.
Stay well,
Paul Heithersay
Chief Executive
Department for Energy and Mining
The information contained in this resources and energy industry update has been verified by the South Australian Government COVID-19 Public Information Function Support Group coordinated by SA Police.
5 January 2021
Mining Regulations
Guidance to support the updated Mining Act 1971 and Mining Regulations 2020
Dear colleagues,
2021 is now upon us. This email aims to support exploration and mining companies in South Australia as we transition to the new mining regulations. There will be some changes and new requirements relevant to companies or individuals seeking to undertake mining operations in accordance with the updated Mining Act.
The final approved determinations under the updated Mining Acts and regulations are now available:
- Mining 17 December 2020, 21 December 2020
- Opal Mining 10 December 2020
To support the transition, the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM) is introducing new forms and templates, guidance materials and other relevant information on the department website in view of the updated Mining Act and mining regulations. Some of these are available now, and more will be published in 2021.
News Updates
8 March 2022
National Safe Work Month 2022
Have your say about National Safe Work Month 2022
National Safe Work Month (NSWM) runs in October each year and we ask workers and employers across Australia to commit to safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.
We’d like to hear from you and your networks about the theme of the NSWM 2022 campaign, the topics you would like included and the resources you would find useful.
Please take a couple of minutes to complete our short online survey so we can make this year’s National Safe Work Month relevant to you and your organisation.
20 January 2022
Mine Safety News
Two men convicted and fined for breaching mining laws near Inverell
On 23 December 2021, Inverell Local Court convicted and fined Robert John Walburn (65 years old) and Jedadiah Blake Walburn (36 years old), both of Inverell, a total of $60,000 each for three offences of mining without authorisation under section 5 of the Mining Act 1992.
The convictions are the result of an inspection conducted by Regulator staff on 16 November 2020 at a property on Rickey’s Lane Sapphire (near Inverell) where it was suspected that illegal mining was taking place.
3 February 2021
April 27th and 28th – Mental Health First Aid Officer Training
The Mining and Quarrying Occupational Health and Safety Committee is pleased to announce the Fully Funded Accredited Mental Health First Aid Officer Training in the last week of April.
MAQOHSC continues to support industry and promote the importance of workplace mental health and is committed to supporting industry with high quality evidence based funded projects, programs and training.
South Australian Mines and Quarries, will be directly supported to increase and promote good workplace mental health, through funded dedicated training for workers or nominated staff to become workplace accredited mental health first aid officers.
Mines and Quarries can nominate workers to complete Accredited Mental Health First Aid Officer training and then appoint them in the workplace to:
- Promote positive mental health in the workplace to all workers
- Provide mental health guidance material to workers
- Complete tool box and information talks on mental health topics
- Provide mental health first aid within their worksite to workers as needed, at their level of competence and training
- Assist workers and escalate any mental health related matters if required in a prompt and appropriate manner according to their relevant workplace policy and procedures.
For further information or to make an enrolment please telephone: 8204 9842 or email maqohsc@sa.gov.au
Numbers are limited.
1 February 2021
DMIRS News – Company fined after worker falls to his death
28 January, 2021
Alcoa of Australia Ltd was today fined $210,000 in the Perth Magistrates Court and ordered to pay $75,000 in costs after a contractor fell to his death at the company’s Kwinana Alumina Refinery in 2015.
The contract worker was part of a crew removing scaffolding from inside a bank of processing vessels or ‘digesters’ which were offline for maintenance and refurbishment work.
Having climbed up the digesters to where entry points were located, the contractor inadvertently entered a digester where workers had already removed the scaffolding. He entered the upper entry manhole backwards, apparently expecting to drop onto a scaffold work platform but instead fell around 12 metres.
There was no barrier or guard on the manhole to prevent inadvertent access and the digesters did not have markings to distinguish them from one another.
Newsletters
MAQOHSC Newsletter WINTER, 2021
In this issue:
- Health Surveillance 2021
- Respiratory PPE – Selection and Use
- Clean Air Clean Lungs
- Safety Alerts
- Upcoming Events
MAQOHSC Newsletter SUMMER, 2020
In this issue:
- Health Surveillance Dust Monitoring 2020
- Skin Cancer Checks
- Respiratory PPE – Selection and Use
- Mental Health First Aid Officer Training
- 2020 Regional Safety Seminars
- Safety/Info Alerts and Safety Resources
- Workplace Health Management Manual
MAQOHSC Newsletter SPRING, 2018
In this issue:
- Health Surveillance 2018 – 2019
- Accredited Mental Health First Aid Officer Training
- Guarding of Plant – Hoppers
- Regional Safety Seminar Topics
- Sleep Vital to Safety
- Committee Workplace Visits
- New MAQOHSC Website Calendar
MAQOHSC Newsletter Issue 3, 2017
In this issue:
- Health Surveillance Dust Monitoring 2017 – 2018
- MAQOHSC Funded Mental Health Training Program
- Access, Egress and Crushing Plant Guarding
MAQOHSC Newsletter Issue 2, 2016
In this issue:
- Fully funded health surveillance – dust monitoring program for South Australian Mines and Quarries
- Time to plan and prepare for working in the heat
- Fully funded Certificate IV Work Health and Safety training.
MAQOHSC Newsletter Issue 1, 2016
In this issue:
- Funded dust monitoring commencing
- Training targets keeping young workers safe
- Complacency to compliance looks at safety with explosives
- Depressed or totally Stressed? How to tell the difference!
- Fully funded health and wellbeing 60 day online health program.
MAQOHSC Newsletter Issue 44, Winter 2015
In this issue:
- New program to help prevent suicide and promote wellbeing for workers
- MAQOHSC Committee undertakes site visit to Hillgrove Resources
- Guide to principal mining hazards.
Previous Issues
Previous issues are available upon request to MAQOHSC. Please email us to request previous issues.
