Crib hut blown over

THE Queensland Department of Mines and Energy (DME) has issued a safety alert following an incident where a crib hut was blown over in a storm.

During the course of a night shift, a cloud bank moved in over an open cut mine, according to mines inspector Graham Callinan.

According to the alert, all operators had entered the crib hut, when a gust of wind hit the hut and flipped it onto its side.

“A fixed awning on the front of the crib hut was found to be the major contributing factor,” Callinan said. According to the alert, the crib hut involved in the incident is commonly used across mine sites in Queensland and New South Wales.

Callinan recommends that consideration should be given for crib huts without attached awnings.

“A risk assessment should be conducted when choosing possible locations for mobile crib rooms,” he said. According to the alert, mines should also investigate anchoring or stabilising huts.

Key contact:

www.dme.qld.gov.au