A Vehicle Interaction Causal Factors Database And Risk Management Decision Making Tool

Collisions between mine vehicles and between vehicles and personnel or infrastructure do occur in the mining industry and can result in fatal injuries.

This report provides a statistical analysis of 310 mining collision incidents around the world.  

While equipment design has resulted in considerable productivity improvements, the analysis has shown that the prevention of collisions, vehicle to vehicle, vehicle to person and vehicle to infrastructure, continues to rely on procedural controls.

Large numbers of collision scenarios are evident, calling for a broad range of controls covering management, individual and work team behaviour, workplace environment controls including machine design and maintenance, focussing on preventative controls and mitigation defences

Specifically, the analysis has shown that:

· Mine traffic and vehicle interaction must be captured more fully in site specific risk assessments, procedures and training programs to offer equipment operators effective controls;

· Procedures and training must focus on improving safety and operational awareness of equipment operators when operating near equipment and drop-zones;

· Programs must be in place to ensure vehicle braking systems are effective;

· Mine sites should consider vehicle interaction as part of their mine design process;

· Existing proximity detection technology should be utilised wherever possible as an additional layer of control;

· Industry should work together with mining equipment and proximity detection equipment manufacturers to enable integration of this technology sooner rather than later.