Recent convictions
Northern Star Carosue Dam Operations, Whirling Dervish underground gold mine
Sentenced date: 8 July 2024
On 21 February 2020, two workers contracted to do clean up labouring tasks were instructed to remove built-up material with shovels from under the conveyor while the conveyor was still running. The arm of one of the workers became entangled in the return roller and the belt while he was reaching under the guarding. Apart from minor scratches on his left arm, he was uninjured. The workers’ induction did not include conveyor safety or isolations. Big Bell Gold Operations Pty Ltd failed to provide adequate guarding and effective supervision, induction and training. After the incident the guarding around the conveyor was extended all the way to the floor.
Big Bell Gold Operations Pty Ltd pleaded guilty for breaching the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1992 and was fined $400,000.
Highlight on conveyor systems
In 2023–24, 35 injuries were recorded with WorkSafe involving conveyor systems in the mining industry.
Conveyor systems are integral items of plant and are used to transport ores, concentrates and material throughout the various processes in the mining operation. As a transfer point from stockpile to mills they are prone to spillage and accumulation of material underneath the conveyor, requiring maintenance and removal of the built-up material.
The most common and dangerous type of hazard in a conveyor system is the ‘in-running nip point’. This is where the machinery motion acts to hold or draw in a human extremity that has come into contact with the components. Unguarded or inadequately guarded conveyor systems may expose workers to the hazard of rotating plant and to risk of entanglement through inadvertent contact with such plant.
Workers tasked with maintenance should also be provided with such supervision, information, instruction and training as is necessary to enable them to safely perform any role related to working near a conveyor, in such a manner that they are not exposed to the hazard.
Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) should, where reasonably practicable, implement and enforce isolation procedures for the de-energisation of the conveyor systems to ensure that the conveyor is not operating while any worker could be exposed to the hazard.
All PCBUs operating conveyor systems are encouraged to read Managing risks of plant in the workplace: Code of practice and get a qualified person to assess the guarding of the conveyor system.
