A scraper at an open cut coal mine in New South Wales skidded more than 50m before colliding with a haul truck in a recent incident that has drawn the attention of the state’s safety watchdog.

The scraper collided with the haul truck at the intersection of the mine’s main pit and a haul road. No injuries were reported.

Conditions were wet at the time of the incident, causing the scraper to skid 57m before it made contact with the haul truck.

The NSW Resources Regulator investigated the scene and suggested that speed may have been a contributing factor to the collision, exacerbated by wet conditions.

“When operating machinery, particularly on wet surfaces, the driver’s primary focus must remain on the operation and control of the vehicle,” the Regulator said.

“Low speeds are critical in such conditions and drivers must operate vehicles at a speed that is appropriate to the prevailing conditions.”

The Regulator advised the mine that engineering controls that minimise the risk of loss of control should be considered.

These controls, which can include using speed-limiting devices, speed monitoring and alarms, are highly applicable to the broader industry, especially those operating in wet conditions, as many facing inclement weather brought on by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in Queensland and northern NSW will be experiencing.

“Mobile plant operating characteristics, including stopping distances, manoeuvrability and speeds must be considered when developing control measures to manage the risks of operating vehicles,” the Regulator said.