The accident claimed the life of trainee plant operator Ingrid Forshaw (38) and occurred at about 11:50pm on November 30, 2013.
She was driving the Landcruiser to pick up colleagues to go for a crib break when she turned into a haul road and the direct path of a 351-tonne Caterpillar 793D dump truck, which had 186t of coal on its back.
“The truck and Landcruiser collided and Ms Forshaw was crushed inside the Landcruiser and died immediately from multiple injuries,” the NSW Department of Trade and Investment report concluded in its incident overview.
Ultimately the report made various recommendations based on the fatal accident, which unsurprisingly included that collision avoidance/proximity detection technology be considered at mine sites.
The following recommendations were made:
- Consider separation of light vehicles and heavy vehicles on haul roads;
- Consider alternatives to the use of light vehicles for personnel transport while heavy vehicles are being operated on haul roads;
- Consider the use of traffic management systems which manage vehicle interactions at intersections, i.e. traffic signals, warning lights and hard barriers;
- Ensure appropriate road grades, lines of sight, window heights, speed limits and signage at intersections;
- Consider the location and impact of background lighting and its potential to disorientate or confuse operators while driving on haul roads and at intersections;
- Consider dedicated haul road and intersection lighting and ensure lighting is adequate;
- Ensure haul roads and intersections are adequately maintained on a regular basis;
- Consider the visibility of heavy vehicles and, in particular, haul trucks during night operations;
- Consideration should be given to the location, cleanliness and operation of vehicle lighting and the use and positioning of reflective materials, to enhance visibility of the vehicle;
- Consider the use of proximity detection and collision avoidance systems on light vehicles and heavy vehicles;
- Ensure daily inspections of haul roads and intersections are carried out by a competent person; and
- Undertake regular documented surface transport management audits and risks assessments on all mine roads and intersections, which consider both day and night operation.
