Background
Mines inspectors repeatedly identify plant such as shaft reliners, hopper trolleys, workshop mobile jib cranes and other multi-purpose lifting devices in poor condition and without maintenance and inspection records. These are classified plant as defined in regulation 6.1 of the Mine Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 (MSIR). For plant with a lifting capacity over 10 tonne, they are registerable as required by MSIR r. 6.34. All others are subject to duty of care requirements under MSIR r. 6.2.
Summary of hazard
These special purpose lifting plant are used to support loads in situations where:
- it is dangerous for workers to undertake the work unaided, often due to the weight of the item being manipulated, or the cramped or constrained environment
- the worker is in close proximity to the load.
Failure or unexpected movement of these devices exposes workers to the hazards associated with falling items, including crushing injuries or death.
Contributory factors
Cursory or incomplete inspection and maintenance contributes to the plant not performing to specification and, ultimately, failure and uncontrolled movement while workers are in close proximity to a load.