THE DEPRATMENT of Mines and Energy’s Mines Inspectorate has issued an official safety warning after an apprentice was injured while maintaining mobile crusher.
The warning comes during WorkCover’s Young Workers’ Month which is the group’s latest attempt at promoting safety among young workers.
The inspectorate says a third year apprentice was assisting a plant operator and a mechanical tradesperson to maintain the internal wear plates of a mobile crusher hired from a contractor. When the apprentice dropped a tool onto the conveyor below, it was decided to run the conveyor to recover the tool.
The pendant controller was plugged into the machine, and the ignition switch for the onboard diesel motor was turned to the ‘Run’ position. The apprentice started to exit the interior of the crusher by walking along the crusher impactor rotor. The rotor appears to have turned, causing the apprentice to fall onto the impact zone wear plates within the crusher. The rotor struck him in the pelvic region causing multiple fractures.
The Department says that investigations so far have shown that the Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) operating and maintenance manuals were not provided to the user. Additionally, a risk assessment to identify hazards associated with operating and maintaining the crusher was not undertaken and the locking pin, used to prevent rotation of the crusher impactor rotor, was left on the truck that delivered the crusher.
Furthermore, critical safety procedures do not appear to have been covered during the two days of informal training provided by the supplier and the workers were unaware of the isolation procedure for the impact rotor, including the need to use the locking pin and to have the clutch disengaged.
The Inspectorate also believes that the site's general isolation and lock-out procedures were not followed.
The Department recommends that when taking ownership or hiring equipment, an appropriate equipment acceptance checklist must be used to ensure the equipment meets the site's relevant standards, and that OEM manuals, risk assessments and special safety devices are provided at the time of delivery.
The authority says that when introducing plant to a site, conduct a risk assessment covering operating and maintenance hazards and the plant’s integration into the operating environment. When completing the risk assessment, reference all relevant manuals, as well as OEM or supplier risk assessments. This should be followed by an appropriate risk assessment for operational and maintenance tasks before undertaking specific tasks.
Similarly, where the OEM specifies isolation or restraint devices - such as locking pins - ensure these devices are used and the maintenance workers are aware of the need to use them to control all potentially harmful energy sources.
All employees involved in maintenance should be instructed in, and be aware of, the specific safeguards necessary for safe maintenance. Also, regularly monitor isolation practices to ensure they are effective and comply with the isolation procedures for the mine.
Lastly, the Inspectorate would like to enforce that the supervision of workers should be appropriate for their level of knowledge, skills and experience.
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