Lightning hazards spark preparedness conversations

Developments following a recent court hearing in Queensland have reinforced the importance of proactive safety measures when preventing injury due to lightning strikes.

The hearing encouraged the industry to strengthen planning, readiness and worker protection, especially during the state’s storm season where lightning is a significant and potentially recurring hazard for surface mines and quarries.

The Industrial Court of Queensland, affirmed on appeal, clarified what constitutes unacceptable risk when operating heavy mobile equipment (HME) near lightning strikes. The ruling confirmed that even with safety enhancements, such as tyres filled with 95 per cent nitrogen, non-autonomous HME should not be operated when lightning strikes are detected within 16km of a site.

This decision provides clarity for mine operators and reinforces the central role of trigger action response plans (TARPs) in managing lightning hazards. By ensuring TARPs reflect expert advice on things such as appropriate distance thresholds, and are regularly reviewed and tested, site preparedness will be significantly improved.

Importantly, the court outcome has emphasised not only what must be avoided, but also what sites can do to improve safety outcomes. The safest place for workers during a lightning event, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) said, is in a secure building with lightning protection.

Sites are also encouraged to adopt nitrogen-filled tyres where appropriate, while developing robust protocols for safe parking and sheltering.

By refining their emergency plans, strengthening training and routinely auditing systems through RSHQ inspections, mine sites can further reduce lightning-related risks and build confidence that safety remains paramount.