Apprentice injured during mobile crusher maintenance

The Queensland Department of Mines and Energy says a third-year apprentice has been injured while helping to maintain a mobile crusher at a mine.

The apprentice had been assisting a plant operator and a mechanical tradesperson to maintain the internal wear plates of a hired mobile crusher.

He dropped a tool onto the conveyor below and decided to run the conveyor to recover the tool. The pendant controller was plugged into the machine and the ignition switch for the onboard diesel motor was in the ‘Run’ position.

When the apprentice tried to exit the interior of the crusher by walking along the crusher impactor rotor, the rotor turned, pushing the apprentice onto the impact zone wear plates within the crusher. The impact of the rotor caused multiple fractures in the apprentice’s pelvic region.

The Queensland Department of Mines and Energy is still investigating the incident. However, it has so far found the original equipment manufacturer’s operating and maintenance manuals had not been provided to the apprentice, and the workers had not undertaken a risk assessment.

Additionally, the locking pin, which is used to prevent the rotor from rotating, had been left on the truck that delivered the crusher, and the informal training of the apprentice had not covered critical safety procedures.

The Queensland Department of Mines and Energy says when workers take ownership of or hire equipment, they should check the equipment against an acceptance checklist.

There should also be a risk assessment for new plant equipment, covering operating and maintenance hazards. All employees involved in maintenance of equipment should be aware of safeguards such as isolation or restraint devices.