The NSW Resources Regulator has accepted an enforceable undertaking from Wider Controls Australia Pty Ltd (WCA) following an investigation into an incident on 6 October 2020 at the Appin East Mine.
The incident occurred during the removal of the winder rope from the driftwinder as part of an equipment upgrade project. The head sheave pulley wheel, weighing several tonnes, dislodged from its support frame and fell approximately 13 metres to the ground below.
At the time, a contract worker was positioned on the ground level, within a taped-off, restricted access area directly below the pulley wheel. The worker had to move in order to avoid being struck by the falling object. No injuries resulted from the incident.
The Regulator has accepted enforceable undertakings from Winder Controls Australia that includes obligations on WCA to:
- Develop a Rope Handling Program, which will improve the industry knowledge related to rope handling with the aim of preventing similar incidents from occurring
- Deliver the Rope Handling Program to industry through the regulator’s Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mine Managers Seminars in 2022 and 2023
- Engage a suitably trained and qualified industry expert to develop a Mental Awareness Generic Induction Module for delivery in both surface and underground generic inductions
- Disseminate information about the undertaking to all workers and publish public notices in specified newspapers
- A number of other activities to provide an assurance that steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
For more information, see:
- Winder Controls Australia Pty Ltd Enforceable undertaking (PDF, 444.59 KB)
- Decision to accept a WHS undertaking by Winder Controls Australia Pty Ltd: Decision (PDF, 196.92 KB) (7 February 2022)
