25.08.2015

Crushing incident report published

The New South Wales Department of Industry Mine Safety in Australia has published its full report and investigation findings into the death of a rigger at Boggabri Coal Mine last year, in which Mark Galton, 51, was crushed between the platform top rail of a 60ft JLG articulated boom lift and the underside of a steel beam. He was declared dead at the scene. See Crushing incident in Australia

The report follows a preliminary warning note and report issues by the department in August 2014. See accident report published .
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The full report is comprehensive, and adds considerably to the crushing risk and cause debate

The full and final report does not change the fact that it cannot be certain which of several possible scenarios caused the fatal crushing incident, but it does virtually eliminate some possible causes and makes a number of recommendations, including the adoption of secondary guarding systems for high risk areas where crushing is a significant risk. Click here to go directly to the report at www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/575160/Boggabri-Investigation-Report.pdf

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The machine was working on a slight ramp and in among the steelwork

Vertikal Comment

This is a classic example of how an accident investigation can and should be handled. The incident occurred in late May, a thorough interim report and information bulletin was published in August, highlighting the dangers and the lessons to be learnt. And now - just 15 months after the incident occurred - we have a very very thorough and thoughtful report, analysis and recommendations published and being widely distributed.

European and other Health and safety authorities could learn a great deal from the way this incident investigation has been handled. In particular the UK HSE which can take nine years or more to achieve a good deal less than this. A current example is the fatal incident involving a Genie Z135 which overturned near Heathrow airport in early June 2013 – a year earlier than the incident above.
So far only the most basic information has been issued by the HSE and we are unlikely to learn more until it finally decides whether to prosecute someone and the information is given out in court and that could be years away.

The report is very good and ought to be read by any company using powered access equipment within steel structures and confined areas. Once again here is a link to the report which we hope to be able to be able to add to the library www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/575160/Boggabri-Investigation-Report.pdf