A drill rig breached a windrow adjacent to the edge of a 50 m highwall.
It was reported the drill operator was focused on positioning the machine at the time and was unaware of the drill’s proximity to the highwall.
Recommendations to industry: Mine operators should review the management and supervision of trainee drill operators to rigorously manage their exposure to high-risk activities, including drilling the face row near a high wall edge and operating at night or in poor visibility. Mine operators should review the application of positioning technology to warn of proximity to highwalls and provide an additional layer of protection.
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