A heavy vehicle driver drowned and passed away.
A resources company retrained all crew members after a haul truck operator suffocated to death.
Emergency services were called to Cape Sandy mine at about 2pm local time on 12 September 2023 when Bruce Vernon fatally reversed over a spoil, “broken” berm and into a pond. His seatbelt was engaged at the time of the incident.
“The accident occurred because the mine operator did not ensure the berm at a dump site impeded the haul truck from overtravel, and conduct an adequate workplace examination,” investigators said in their final report.
“The mine operator retrained all miners on berm construction for dumping locations to impede overtravel … [and] on their revised workplace examination procedures.”
Revised workplace examination procedures include:
- maintain berms to prevent over travel
- note and remedy any deficiencies or unsafe conditions
- keep and maintain documents in compliance with regulations
- examine the area with sufficient lighting and from a viewpoint that allows for adequate inspection
- prior to beginning work in the dumping area a competent person or supervisor must perform and document a workplace area exam
- all berms should be constructed of substantial and primarily non-dirt material, at a minimum mid-axle height of the largest vehicle travelling in the area.
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