WorkSafe has issued a safety alert to remind all quarry and mine operators about the risks arising from failing to use safety devices when operating mobile equipment. The alert comes after a quarry employee was ejected from the cabin of an articulated dump truck (ADT).
The front right wheel of the ADT hit an earth barrier, causing the cabin to violently rock and eject the operator from the cabin. The ADT then continues to travel along the road until it travelled over an edge and overturned.
The ADT operator was admitted to hospital with serious injuries.
Safety shortfalls identified in this incident include failure to wear a seat belt, excess speed or sharp braking and failure to verify competency.
Controls for the risks associated with powered mobile plant include –
- In-cab driver distraction and fatigue monitoring systems
- Fit and maintain seat belts in good working order
- Ensure seat belts are being used – e.g. fitting sequentially interlocked seatbelts, supervision
- Implement site procedures for the use of seatbelts when operating powered mobile plant
- Ensure powered mobile plant is operated with the windows and doors closed – this may will require air conditioning and communication devices to be installed
- Verify operator competency
Read more: Operator ejected from cabin was not wearing seatbelt | WorkSafe Victoria