THE Department of Mines and Energy (DME) is reinforcing the need for written instructions for tasks involving multiple steps after a Queensland worker sustained fatal injuries in December 2008.
The DME released a safety alert when a worker was killed while removing a hopper door of a mobile crushing plant on 24 December 2008. According to the Department, a pin became dislodged from the hydraulic ram used to raise and lower the door, which caused it to fall onto the worker.
The DME has now issued a bulletin in addition to the safety alert highlighting the importance of written instructions for multiple-step tasks rather than relying on verbal instructions.
According to the Department, risk management processes must be used to develop written instructions in order to ensure an acceptable level of risk is achieved before commencing tasks.
The DME is also urging mines to review their induction, training and assessment processes to ensure they comply with legislative requirements.
Australian mines are being prompted to ensure the safety bulletin is made available to all relevant people. It may be viewed at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/safety/safety-alerts.
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