The operator received a severe laceration to his head that needed medical treatment after the incident which occurred on January 22, according to a report by the Mine Safety Investigation Unit.

The mine, which is operated by LakeCoal, is a small underground thermal coal mine on the southern side of Lake Macquarie. The mine has been on care and maintenance since late 2012 and there are currently about 30 people on site.

The roof support where the incident occurred consists of steel roof support straps, known as W Straps, in conjunction with roof bolts.

The W Straps are fixed to the roof with bolts. The straps often distort to conform to irregularities in the roof.

The W Straps are positioned on the roof perpendicular to the roadway direction and are spaced about one metre apart.

The injured operator had worked in the industry for about five years. He was new to this mine site and completed an induction program on the days before the incident.

The operator began his shift at 7am. At about 1 pm he was instructed to pick up a pump from an underground sump area using a LHD. The LHD was an Eimco 913-6 loader with an empty bucket.

The operator was experienced in using this type of plant.

As he was new to site, the operator followed another vehicle (a PJB) into the mine workings. At 1.40pm the operator entered the intersection of the Main North Travelling Road and Longwall 7 Sump Road.

As he entered the Sump Road the operator was travelling at low speed (second gear) as the roof was low in this section of the mine.

The operator did not see a damaged W Strap hanging from the roof in the Sump Road as he was concentrating on following the other vehicle.

As the operator drove the LHD forward the W Strap entered the open driver’s cabin striking the left-hand side of his head near his left eye.

The operator suffered a severe laceration.

The injured operator parked the LHD and sought assistance from other mine workers who transported him to the surface of the mine.

The operator was given first aid treatment by a NSW ambulance paramedic on the surface of the mine and then transported to a nearby hospital emergency department for further medical attention.

“Fit for purpose plant, housekeeping and the maintenance of roadways should be a high priority for mine operators,” the MSU said.

“Available control measures include, but are not limited to a mine strata management plan that encompasses procedures for inspecting the condition of strata support, reporting of damage and repair or replacement of strata support in a timely manner.”