Mining company fined after worker suffers serious injuries

WorksafeWA released the following update: 

Underground mining services company Northern Star Mining Services Pty Ltd was today fined $750,000 and ordered to pay $3211 in costs after a drill operator sustained spinal and leg injuries while working on heavy machinery.

The company pleaded guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court to two offences under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA) for causing serious harm to a worker and exposing workers to the risk of death, injury or harm to health.

In January 2023, a drill operator was helping repair and service a Sandvik twin boom Jumbo drill at a workshop that was part of Northern Star Resources Ltd.’s Carusoe Dam operations.

Northern Star Resources had contracted Northern Star Mining Services to work at its Carusoe Dam site.

Some of the maintenance activities required workers to isolate the Jumbo’s power source, while other processes required the drill to be energised for testing and adjusting.

At the time of the incident, an Isolation and Tagging Safe Work Procedure was in place so workers could identify potential hazards and outline necessary control measures.

The procedure stated that when testing and adjusting was not required, workers should completely isolate the Jumbo drill’s power and apply a personal danger lock and tag.

The procedure also stated that supervisors should have used barricades or hazard tape to exclude workers from the energised Jumbo’s area of operation.

In this instance, the company did not implement the control measures set out in the procedure due to failings in supervision and direction.

On the evening of the incident, when a drill operator tested the left boom, the boom rail moved uncontrollably due to an internal fault. The boom rail then swung downwards and struck a worker, causing serious injuries.

Following the incident, Northern Star Mining Services made improvements to the training associated with the procedure and upgraded other engineering and administrative controls.

WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said the company could have avoided the incident if it had followed proper processes.

“Isolation and tagging safe work procedures are in place to protect workers and must be followed to reduce risk and prevent injury,” Ms North said.

“Management and supervisors must ensure workers handling hazardous energy and machinery are properly trained, instructed and supervised.”

The original article can be viewed here.