Over the past five years the NSW Resources Regulator has recorded 783 adverse vehicle interactions at surface mine operations, highlighting the need for a new approach.
That new approach is the Resources Regulator’s new Technical Reference Guide (TRG), a blueprint for safer operations developed following extensive consultation with the mining industry.
Anthony Margetts, Chief Inspector of Mines at the NSW Resources Regulator explains why.
“The frequency of reported vehicle interactions and near misses on NSW mine sites remains unacceptably high. This guide marks a crucial step forward, providing mines with the essential tools, insights, and proactive strategies needed to identify hazards early and prevent accidents before they occur.”
Tiredness a factor
One of the key issues the TRG addresses is a human one; that the role of operating mobile equipment is often mundane or unstimulating.
“It’s repetitive work, often undertaken by operators who are working long, overnight shifts that go against their natural biorhythms. These factors can lead to a loss of focus and complacency. The TRG creates a safety framework that addresses those human factors,” Anthony explains.
The TRG has been developed in collaboration with the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT), a global initiative to develop and promote best practice in mine safety. It takes a layered approach that begins with site design and flows through to machinery intervention, hazard identification and risk assessment.
Industry take-up key to success
“This guide represents an opportunity for the industry to adopt a common framework when it comes to vehicle interactions. It provides a clear structure and common language to support mines to get those initial layers right and ensure safe work systems and a safe work environment.”
“We expect industry to review and apply the concepts in the guide—not just as a compliance tool, but as a blueprint for safer operations.
The guide will assist mine operators to comply with their legislative requirements and over the next 12 months we’ll be working hard with industry to promote implementation and asking ‘if not, why not’?”
“We will work with industry through assessment campaigns and online engagement sessions and in a years’ time we will assess how effective it has been. This is a long game for us,” Anthony said.
| You can see the full technical reference guide here: https://www.resources.nsw.gov.au/news-articles/technical-reference-guide-tackles-vehicle-safety-at-mines |
