In July 2020, an operator was driving a load haul dump (LHD)* in an underground mine when it fell over the edge of an open stope.
The LHD fell approximately 25 metres and the operator sustained fatal injuries. It is understood the operator was preparing to build a safety bund about six metres from the stope edge.
* Note: LHD is also known as an underground loader or bogger.
Potential causal factors
- There was no physical barrier to prevent the LHD entering the stope.
- When operating an LHD, the operator’s forward visibility is limited by the configuration of the machine. This can have implications on an operator’s capacity to see the edge of the open stope as they approach.
- There were no effective visual wall markings or delineators to aid the driver in judging the distance to the open stope edge.