The Queensland Department of Mines and Energy yesterday announced a series of two-day safety workshops to raise awareness of collision avoidance technology, following an increase in the number of serious injuries and fatalities involving vehicle and machinery collisions.
MINING DAILY understands the Queensland Minister for Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson, will make a statement today supporting the conferences.
The workshops will aim to promote the merits of proximity detection and collision avoidance safety systems in reducing the risk of fatalities and injuries in both underground and surface operations.
The Queensland Department of Mines and Energy is also inviting coal and metalliferous mine operators to share their experiences with and without the technology.
Most recently, the Department issued a safety alert on 17 April 2009, after a fatal collision involving a light vehicle and a large low-loader.
A contractor was fatally injured at an open cut coal mine when he drove his utility into the rear of an empty 200 t low-loader travelling slowly in the same direction.
The utility cab was crushed beneath a projecting ‘tow hitch’ at the rear of the low-loader.
According to the report, the low loader driver was unaware of the collision and continued on to his destination.
The safety alert noted there was no apparent evidence that the condition of the vehicle or excessive speed contributed to the incident.
The workshops will be held at the Windmill Motel, Mackay on 3 and 4 August, the Blackwater International Coal Centre, Blackwater on 11 and 12 August, the Rydges Hotel, Townsville on 1 and 2 September and the DPI Conference Centre, Toowoomba on 7 and 8 September.