Mine truck blaze reignites regulator’s safety stance

An underground truck blaze in a metalliferous mine has reinforced the NSW Resources Regulator’s hard line on mobile plant fire prevention, with operators urged not to rely on suppression systems as a primary control.

The incident occurred as the truck was tramming up a decline when the operator heard an unusual noise and saw fluid spraying from the engine bay. The fluid ignited shortly afterwards. As the operator parked the vehicle, the onboard fire suppression system activated automatically.

After an emergency call was made over the radio, the operator parked and isolated the truck, and proceeded to put out the fire with support from other workers using handheld extinguishers and a water hose.

In response to the incident, the regulator is calling on mine operators to undertake rigorous fire risk assessments and, wherever practical, seek to eliminate the hazard, such as potential fuel and ignition sources.

“Mine operators must not merely rely on fire suppression and detection systems, which are mitigation controls and do not eliminate or minimise the risk of a fire occurring,” the regulator said. 

The mine safety watchdog’s position, outlined in a guidance first published in 2019, is that “all fires on mobile plant are avoidable and preventable”.

The guidance sets expectations across several areas, including consideration of fire-resistant fluids where available, engineering controls to manage surface temperatures, and the elimination or minimisation of non-metallic materials that burn or produce toxic emissions. It also places strong emphasis on maintenance, calling for stringent monitoring and quality control. 

According to the guidance, the regulator has adopted an escalated compliance approach. 

All mobile plant fires on NSW mine sites will be subject to heightened assessment and investigation, with enforcement action taken where operators have not applied the expected controls.

Further steps include publishing more detailed fire data, conducting mobile fleet censuses, seeking amendments to reporting requirements so all mobile plant fires are reported, and facilitating industry workshops to address persistent risks.