Central West Health & Rehabilitation
P: (08)9965 0697 F: (08)9964 7528

News


Fatal accidents in the Western Australian mining industry 2000-2012 Jun 21st, 2014
graphicThis report examines the 52 fatal mining accidents that occurred in Western Australia over the 13-year period from 2000 to 2012, inclusive. The information was analysed to identify common hazards, causation factors and critical activities.

Twenty-four causation factors were identified and used to provide a framework for analysis. A person might conduct 50 to 100 tasks during a shift, of which just one or two could lead to a situation with the potential for serious injury or death. So knowledge of the critical tasks is important when addressing risks. 

Factors for which trends or clusters were identified were:


  1. Occupation of deceased

  2. Duration in the role

  3. Duration at the mine site

  4. Supervisors Duration in the role

  5. Compliance with procedures

  6. Trigger events

  7. Time of day

  8. Surface or underground

  9. Commodity group

  10. Original equipment manufacturers’ procedures

  11. Age of deceased

  12. Roster cycles


These factors are discussed in more detail in the relevant document along with significance of trigger events to individual fatalities and critical activities.