The Regulator has released a safety alert after the service brakes on a Caterpillar 740 articulated ejector truck failed and it rolled backwards 49 metres.
The loaded truck had a faulty fuel gauge, ran out of fuel and shut down while ascending a 10% gradient. It was only brought to rest when the park brake was activated.
Service braking systems on mobile plant are safety critical systems; their failure has potential for fatal consequences. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining hydraulic accumulators on service and secondary braking systems, and ensuring identified defects are assessed and repaired in a timely manner.
The Regulator urges mine operators to ensure all relevant people in their organisation receive a copy of the alert and are informed of its content and recommendations. It should also be placed in the mine’s common area, such as on a notice board, where appropriate.
Safety alert: Service brakes fail on dump truck
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