The NSW Resources Regulator has directly engaged with more than 9,500 mine workers and supervisors as part of a targeted awareness campaign (TAC) on road safety.
Conducted over 10 days in early July 2023, the campaign was designed to highlight the increasing number of reported incidents over the past 12 months involving mobile plant, such as heavy mining equipment, and light vehicles operating on mine roads and extraction areas.
Collisions and near misses can cause serious injury or death, due to the size of the equipment typically involved and the operational conditions at the site.
Forty-five inspectors delivered 191 presentations at 21 open cut surface coal mines and 25 surface extractives mines and large quarries across the state.
During the presentations, inspectors encouraged group discussions about non-compliance with site rules and procedures as well as supervisor monitoring and reporting of non-compliance issues.
Fundamental practices such as positive communication, adherence to site traffic rules and procedures, driving to the conditions and operator hazard awareness are repeatedly identified through the Regulator’s investigations as contributing factors to incidents.
The aim of this campaign was to help mine workers understand they have a role to play and an obligation to keep themselves and their workmates safe and deliver a timely reminder to mine operators to review their safety management systems and implementation of safety controls.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and it is hoped that mine workers and supervisors will maintain a heightened state of awareness when operating and monitoring mining equipment on mine roads and extraction areas, to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.
The Regulator has published a video on the campaign to assist mine operators in ongoing safety awareness discussions.
