Safety (Issue 37)

Excavator Plunges Down Bank

When a huge excavator plunged down a bank in New Zealand recently, sensible and simple safety precautions saved the operator’s life.

The seven-tonne machine rolled twice down a bank on a building site. The operator was saved from death or serious injury by a safety belt and because the machine was fitted with the legally required rollover protective structure.

The Department of Labour is investigating the circumstances of the rollover. Its Acting Central Regional Manager, says it is a good example of how investment in, and the use of, the right equipment has paid dividends.

“In January this year eight people were killed in their workplace throughout the country [New Zealand]. It’s been one of the worst seasons for workplace deaths in recent years.”

About 50 percent of all work related deaths involve a vehicle and vehicle rollovers account for 23 percent of workplace deaths investigated by the Department.

“The fact that this man avoided even serious injury because he was wearing the correct safety belt, and the machine was fitted with a rollover structure, shows that simple precautions can mean the difference between life and death.”

Information supplied by the Department of Labour (New Zealand) www.dol.govt.nz

Loader Over Embankment

Towards the end of 2007, a 54 year old supervisor with 27 years experience was fatally injured at a crushed stone operation in North America.

The victim was operating a track loader to remove excess material from an access road. The machine travelled over an embankment and landed approximately 125 feet below.

Best Practices

• When operating machinery, wear a properly maintained and adjusted seat belt and ensure the seat and suspension are secured and adjusted
• When working machinery close to an edge, always keep the bucket or blade between the operator and the edge
• When working in tight areas or where drop offs exist, reduce the throttle setting, slow movement, and constantly monitor machine position
• Operate equipment so that control is maintained

Information supplied by Department of Labor – Mine Safety and Health Administration (USA) www.dol.gov/

Mobile Plant Stability Workshops

Mobile plant rollover is a major cause of workplace accidents and fatalities in the extractive industry.

Recognising the need for increased awareness and education on this topic, the CMPA will be holding three Mobile Plant Stability workshops to:

• Consider situations and identify hazards
• Participate in a JSA specific to mobile plant
• Listen to presentations from regulatory authorities on their expectations
• Be updated on current issues

Teams will carry out a JSA on one of the following tasks:

• Loading shot rock onto a haul truck using an excavator
• Unloading material onto a stockpile using a haul truck
• Traveling from the face to primary hopper in an articulated dump truck
• Removing material from a stockpile using a loader
• Traveling from machine park up area to work area after heavy rain

The CMPA will be holding these Workshops throughout Victoria, beginning mid afternoon and followed by dinner.

They will include a presentation from WorkSafe updating attendees of the change and what it means for their businesses.

WorkSafe Inspections So Far

As Members would be aware, WorkSafe are now responsible for conducting extractive industry site inspections as of 1 January 2008, taking over this responsibility from the Department of Primary Industries.

During his presentation at the CMPA Drilling Workshop, Mick Cayless – WorkSafe Inspector, outlined his roles and responsibilities and summarised his findings after conducting visits to a number of extractive industry sites in Victoria.

The main role of a WorkSafe Inspector is to ensure compliance with current workplace legislation including:

• Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations
• Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations
• Equipment and Public Safety Act

Secondary roles of WorkSafe Inspectors include:

• Giving advice
• Providing guidance material
• Giving presentations to industry
• Mediation

It is important to note that an Inspector is not required to give any notice prior to their arrival; however the inspection must be undertaken with the duty holder present.

The Inspector will investigate compliance to the above mentioned Acts and Regulations, discuss their findings with the duty holder and will enforce compliance where required. Enforcement methods include a ‘direction to stop work’, ‘voluntary compliance’, an ‘improvement notice’ or a ‘prohibition notice’.

Following a number of site visits Mick Cayless noted that overall, the industry is doing well in the following areas:

• Site facilities for employees
• First Aid facilities
• Employee consultation
• Employee training records

Isn’t doing too well in the following areas:

• Fixed plant guarding
• Traffic management
• Berms on haul roads
• Hazardous/dangerous goods management
• Fixed stairs and access walkways

Good Occupational Health and Safety Management is the key to a safer workplace, fewer lost time injuries, lower production losses and lower WorkCover premiums.

Visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au for further information.

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