News

Worker fatality prompts safety report

The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has issued a safety report following the death of a truck driver in WA.

According to the DMP, a female worker was found on the ground near a Caterpillar 777D haul truck during normal operations at an open pit mine.

The truck was stationary at the time of the accident and the work area on the deck was clear of obstructions.

Initial investigations indicate the operator fell from the deck while cleaning the windscreen of the truck.

It is believed the deck plates in front of the windscreen did not extend the full width of the cabin and the top rung of the access ladder was located below the level of the deck.

The DMP is urging mine operators using the early series of Caterpillar 777 haul trucks to review all operator access tasks and work from the decks around the driver’s cabin.

Mines should also develop safe work practices for all tasks that pose the risk of a fall from height.

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