Gold mine truck fatality lands $945,000 fine
A worker fatally struck by a truck at the Big Bell underground gold mine near Cue in Western Australia’s Mid West has resulted in Big Bell Gold Operations Pty Ltd being fined $945,000 — and ordered to pay $20,000 in costs.
Minterra Pty Ltd, a Big Bell Gold Operations-engaged contractor, had been performing mining operations at the Big Bell underground gold mine in December 2020 when, during a night shift at the site (24 km northwest of Cue), a Minterra employee was struck by a Minterra employee-operated truck. The employee died from their injuries.
Big Bell Gold Operations, a wholly owned subsidiary of Westgold Resources Limited, pleaded guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court to an offence under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (WA) — of failing to provide and maintain a working environment in which an employee of a contractor was not exposed to hazards; this offence does not indicate that the breach caused the fatal incident; however, a failure in terms of safe systems of work is highlighted by it.
“Big Bell Gold Operations failed to provide its contractor’s employees involved in the fatal incident with sufficient information, instructions and training to ensure positive communication was established between pedestrians and drivers underground. Neither employee had prior mining industry experience, and neither employee had completed more than 80 hours of training related to truck driving,” WA WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said.
“The company had written procedures to provide for the safety of pedestrians near vehicles underground, although induction materials could have been clearer. However, written procedures alone are insufficient. Procedures must be effectively implemented to reduce risks,” North added.
North also said that the case sends a strong message to all workplaces, but particularly those with mobile plant, that it is essential to provide workers with the necessary information, instructions and training for their roles.
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