SHIFT MINER The Queensland mining community’s best source of local news
Tuesday 26th April 110th Edition 2011
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DEADLY HAT TRICK How long before someone dies?
THREE near misses in three weeks. That’s the score at central Queensland mine sites when collisions between light and heavy vehicles are tallied up. The latest incident occurred at 8.30am last Wednesday at BMA’s Peak Downs mine near Moranbah. It involved two supervisors who had parked their cars up to talk inside a restricted zone. While they were stopped, a service truck that was working in the area reversed into
one of the cars - moving it six metres. Miraculously, no-one was injured. CFMEU safety representative Tim Whyte said the incident was particularly worrying because it involved senior staff who should know better. “These supervisors have stopped for a chin wag and they have broken every rule in the book,� he said. “These people are supposed to be leaders - they should have pulled into a parking zone or used the two way radio.�
“The operator didn’t even know they were there.â€? “If he had really put his foot down then there could easily have been fatalities.â€? Operations were quickly shut down by the Mines Inspectorate, and Chief Inspector of coal mines Gavin Taylor expressed his concern about how inspectors found the scene when they arrived on site. “The site of the incident was disturbed and the vehicles removed prior to an investigation commencing,â€? said Mr Taylor. Âť continued page 4
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News A breakthrough at Broadmeadow? Âť page 4 News Small business crippled by slow payment Âť page 5 News Moura & Banana drilling for water Âť page 6 News Emerald earth mover sells machines for $84M Âť page 7 Around Town Little league in Moranbah Âť page 14-15
Clermont Bushpigs kicking goals Âť Â Â Page 13
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Money Matters How your rental property stacks up Âť page 26