Coal Inspectorate | Alert | No.442 V 1 | 08 December 2023
A number of incidents have occurred recently in underground coal mines where remote-controlled mining equipment has continued operation for a short period of time without ceasing operation on command.
In one incident, coal mines workers (CMWs) had been operating remote-controlled mining equipment and were using the function on the remote. The machine continued to operate for a short period of time resulting in an unplanned movement/failure to stop.
The remote-control actuators were found to be stuck in the operating position due to the ingress of foreign material into the remote-control actuators.
Sites should:
Investigations are ongoing and further information may be published as it becomes available. The information in this publication is what is known at the time of writing.
We issue Safety Notices to draw attention to the occurrence of a serious incident, raise awareness of risks, and prompt assessment of your existing controls.
AS/NZS 4240 Remote control systems for mining equipment
Contact: Greg Napper, Inspector of Mines (Electrical) , +61 7 3199 8001 QldMinesInspectorate@rshq.qld.gov.au
Issued by Resources Safety & Health Queensland
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All information on this page (Uncontrolled movement of remote-controlled mining equipment - https://www.rshq.qld.gov.au/safety-notices/mines/uncontrolled-movement-of-remote-controlled-mining-equipment) is correct as of time of printing (Jul 28, 2024 1:50 am).