The Resources Regulator NSW has seen an increase in notifiable incidents related to equipment breaching
windrows. Windrow breaches place operators at serious risk. These incidents have occurred at multiple
sites, all while performing different tasks.
Circumstances
Windrows are established on haul roads, dumps and in proximity to highwalls where there is the
potential for a piece of mobile equipment to drive off an edge. The mine operator has requirements
under work health and safety legislation to manage and controls risks associated with roads and other
vehicle operating areas. Assessing the risks will help the mine operator take the correct action to
eliminate the risk or, where this is not reasonably practicable, minimise the risks. As part of this process
consideration must be given to the roads or other vehicle operating areas principal hazard management
plan requirements in schedule 2 of the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Rites) Regulation
2014.
Investigation
Because of these incidents and subsequent inspections routinely conducted by Resources Regulator
inspectors, it has been identified that controls have been ineffective in managing the hazard. The
regulator has identified concerns about the management of the risks associated with:
? the construction standard of windrows
? the maintenance of windrows
? reliance on windrows as a barrier
? not aligning to the windrow when windrow dumping
? the effect on visibility due to the time the work is being carried out and weather conditions
? training of operators in relation to construction requirements of windrows and the standards
required
? the quality of inspection of windrows.
Recommendations
Mine and petroleum site operators should:
1. Design and construct windrows adequately to be a control for the hazard at the operation, paying
specific attention to set-back distances, heights and material used.
2. Regularly inspect and maintain windrows through open cut examiner inspections and operator
inspections.
3. Acknowledge that windrows should be used as a line of demarcation rather than an interception
for vehicles.
4. Highwall demarcation should be established on drilling benches including adequate use of
lighting, flashing beacons or reflective signs as deemed appropriate to ensure operator
awareness.
5. Roadway demarcation should be established at intersections without hindering visibility or
reducing the effectiveness of the mine’s vehicle interaction plan.
6. Vehicles operating around windrows should operate in such a way to ensure the windrows have
maximum efficiency including the angle at which equipment operates in relation to the windrow.
7. Work should be planned to ensure there is an opportunity for the operator to have maximum
visibility of demarcated areas.
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