THE Queensland Department of Mines and Energy (DME) has issued a safety bulletin warning of uncontrolled release of stored energy.
According to the bulletin, five fatal accidents have occurred in Queensland over the past five years due to uncontrolled release of stored energy.
Of these fatalities, one occurred when a worker was disassembling a cylinder containing a piston under pressure, according to the bulletin.
Another of these fatalities, according to the bulletin, involved a worker disassembling a fitting in a compressed air line, and three of the fatalities involved inflated tyres.
Mines inspector John Smith recommends mines release stored energy before maintenance to eliminate potential hazards.
Mines should confirm that stored energy has been dissipated or contained before commencing work, according to Smith.
Key contact:
John Smith
Mines Inspector
John.Smith@dme.qld.gov.au
www.dme.qld.gov.au