Galton, 51, was crushed between a mobile elevated work platform and the underside of a large steel beam while he was working on the mine’s coal handling and prep plant on 21 May 2014. His workmates rushed to free him but they were unable to resuscitate him and he died at the scene.

The Department of Industry Mine Safety, which has published its investigation findings into the death of the Thiess Sedgman rigger, said in its report that there was no protection devices to prevent the incident occuring.

“Apart from the steel frame above the platform control console, which was directly involved in the crush injury there were no secondary protection devices to prevent Mr Galton from being crushed while operating the mobile elevated work platform (MEWP),” the report states.

“The risk of a person being trapped between the platform and a fixed overhead structure was foreseeable. The risk was clearly identified in risk assessments and equipment manuals published before the incident. The risk was also identified in a range of risk management documents found at the mine site.”

The incident highlights the importance of having an effective risk management program in relation to specific complex three dimensional movements of mobile elevated work platforms in proximity to fixed structures, according to the report.

“When a MEWP is required to move in proximity to fixed structures, higher order risk management controls to prevent crush injury should be identified and implemented,” it states.

“This is in addition to the existing industry emphasis on lower order risk controls such as operator high risk work licence, specific MEWP operator certification, verification of competency, work at heights permit and a spotter being present.”

In or about July 2014, Thiess Sedgman updated the generic site induction assessment and the Boggabri Coal CHPP induction PowerPoint presentation to incorporate information from the MEWP skills review package.