An underground worker using an elevated work platform (EWP) was fatally injured when the charge-up basket he was in moved upwards, crushing him against the roof of the cross-cut. It appears he was leaning over the front of the basket when he accidentally activated the control stick for raising and lowering the basket.
An offsider was working in front of the basket to help guide the charge-up hose into the blast holes. After the accident, the control stick was found to be bent forward (i.e. in "raise basket" position).
Direct causes
The worker was leaning over the front of the charge-up basket, in a restricted working space, when the basket moved upwards.
Contributory causes
Nature of task
- Work from a charge-up basket is often undertaken at the front of the basket, so the worker can reach the charge-up hose.
- Rill slopes can restrict forward movement of the charge-up basket and result in the basket being close to the roof.
Design of basket controls
- The control panel is located at the front of the basket.
- Pushing the control stick forward raises the charge-up basket.
- The fail safe switch for the controls is located on top of the control stick, so that a downward force on the top of the control stick can activate the fail safe switch and allow the control stick to move forward.
Procedural
- The operating procedure did not identify the potential crush hazard.
- At this mine, charging-up was typically carried out by a single person.
- The offsider assisting at the time of the accident had not been tasked with spotting, and was not trained to use the EWP.