The incident involved heating and smouldering of material at a conveyor tripper drive when a rib bolt from longwall was caught in transfer.

In another incident, a front end loader backed into a parked utility. The operator could not see the vehicle due to the articulated position.

“Mine operators need to ensure that positive communication occurs during light/heavy vehicle interaction and that light vehicles have designated parking away from the heavy vehicle movement,” the MSU said in its weekly safety commentary.

Mine operators must consider the impact of organisational and human behaviour factors when assessing risk and determining effective critical controls, it said in relation to another underground incident.

An underground loader collided with two parked light vehicles. Positive communication between operators was not established, rather assumed.

No injuries were sustained but there was significant damage to property.