Queensland’s mining industry regulator, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), has taken decisive action following a fatal accident at the Byerwen coal mine.
The regulator has issued a directive to suspend the use of all heavy vehicles at the mine, effectively halting most operations.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, August 22, 2024, involved a collision between two vehicles, resulting in the death of a 56-year-old male worker from Bundaberg.
This tragic event marks the second fatality at the mine in less than a month, raising serious concerns about safety protocols.
RSHQ promptly dispatched staff from its coal division and Serious Incident Investigation Unit (SIIU) to the mine site.
Following the handover of the site from police to RSHQ, the regulator initiated its investigation and implemented regulatory measures.
RSHQ CEO Rob Djukic explained the rationale behind the suspension: “QCoal has chosen to suspend operations at the mine, but we’ve taken this extra step to ensure activities involving heavy vehicles cannot take place until our inspector is satisfied that it is safe to do so.”
Djukic emphasised that while most operations will cease, some activities must continue to maintain site safety.
The recent fatality follows another tragic incident at the same mine just three weeks prior, where a worker was killed by a demountable building being lifted by a crane.
This series of events has raised alarm bells within the industry and among union representatives.
Steven Smyth, general vice president of the Mining and Energy Union, expressed concerns about the mine’s safety culture, stating that some workers feared speaking out about safety issues.
Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart acknowledged the severity of the situation but noted that the state government does not have the power to revoke QCoal’s mining licence.
He emphasised that Queensland has “the toughest safety legislation in the world” and that investigations will help improve safety measures.
As RSHQ continues its thorough investigation, the mining community awaits further updates and potential additional regulatory actions.
The regulator has committed to taking appropriate measures to ensure worker safety.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards in the mining industry.
As investigations proceed, stakeholders will be closely watching for any developments that could lead to improved safety protocols across Queensland’s mining sector.
