Regulator zeroes in on mobile plant controls after near miss

Following a near-collision on a surface coal mine haul road, the NSW Resources Regulator is highlighting the importance of speed management and situational awareness when interacting with mobile equipment.

The regulator has released details of the incident involving a 775G rear dump truck and a grader during road maintenance activities. The incident occurred while the dump truck was travelling uphill on a haul road where the grader was operating in the middle of the roadway.

According to the regulator, the dump truck was estimated to be travelling at 55 km/h, while the grader was visible from approximately 300 to 350 metres. Despite this, the truck driver did not react until the vehicle was about 50 metres from the grader.

When braking was applied, the truck’s wheels locked, causing it to skid slightly uphill for around 50 metres. The truck came to a stop approximately 700 millimetres from the grader.

In light of the incident, the regulator reiterated expectations for equipment operators working around mobile plant. Operators are required to apply correct speed limits when approaching or operating near other equipment and to maintain situational awareness to identify hazards early and apply appropriate controls.

The regulator also outlined actions for mine operators in response to the incident. It has directed operators to review the Resources Regulator’s Technical Reference Guide (TRG) for Surface ROVOA as part of their consideration of the event.

Operators must particularly review Layer 3 of the TRG, which addresses operating procedures, including standard operating procedures, maintenance, road rules, quality control and lockout processes. The regulator also highlighted Layer 6, which focuses on measures in place to ensure equipment is operated within its design parameters, including the use of in-vehicle systems to monitor operator behaviour.