An incident at the Blackwater mine owned and operated by BHP has resulted in an emergency response by ambulance services. Initial reports were that a dozer had rolled over, but further details have emerged, revealing it was a 30ton digger that had slid down a small embankment and ended up on its side.
Two ambulance crews responded to the call-out on Saturday afternoon at 5:34 pm at the Central Highlands mine site.
Reports indicate that the machine operator may have suffered neck injuries and was in a state of shock as a result of the rollover. The individual has been transported to the nearby Blackwater Hospital to receive further medical attention.
A string of rollover incidents on mining sites in Queensland has raised concerns about the safety of workers in the industry. Since December 2021, there have been a total of ten rollover incidents, with the most recent being a stockpile dozer entrapment.
The incidents have occurred at various surface mines in the region, with three occurring in July, October, and November of last year, and six more happening between December 2021 and June 2022.
These incidents have taken place at nine different surface mines, and they have resulted in injuries to workers, including the most recent entrapment of a dozer operator. The incidents have also highlighted the need for increased safety measures and training for workers.
Mining is a dangerous occupation, and the risks associated with the industry are significant. The mining industry has made significant improvements in recent years to improve the safety of workers, but these incidents demonstrate that there is still work to be done.