Critical risks in workplaces must not only be identified, but also managed effectively. Mining company Oceana Gold has been sentenced, after the death of a worker in July 2016. They appeared in Tauranga District Court for sentencing in March and a decision was released yesterday. The worker had been driving an earthmoving machine underground when it fell 15 metres off a vertical edge. Our investigation found that Oceana Gold had failed to develop and implement a safe system of work for the creation of 1.5 metre high bunds above vertical slopes. Oceana Gold had identified the risk and the solution of bunds to reduce the risk of a vehicle falling into a void. However, they had not effectively mitigated the risks involved in implementing that solution “Health and safety law requires every business to manage risks to workers. It’s a non-negotiable requirement and this case has highlighted that the requirement extends to the risks inherent in the actions taken to mitigate known risks,” WorkSafe’s Acting General Manager High Hazards and Energy Safety Craig Marriott said.
Following the incident, Oceana Gold developed an innovative, non-industry-standard procedure for placing steel bollards along open slopes, to stop an incident like this from happening again. Notes:
Source: https://worksafe.govt.nz/about-us/news-and-media/mining-company-sentenced-after-worker-death/
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February 2019
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