New animated video aims to improve mine safety in Queensland

New Animated Video Aims to Improve Mine Safety in Queensland

A newly produced animated video illustrating the unfortunate injury of a mine worker is being distributed to various mines across Queensland. This video provides valuable information to workers on preventing severe injuries when operating around pick and carry cranes, addressing hazards that continue to affect the coal sector.

The animation showcases an incident that occurred on August 1, 2023, at a Bowen Basin coal mine, offering a clear example of how quickly hazards can escalate when exclusion zones aren't respected.

Why the Animation Was Created

Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) Chief Inspector of Coal Mines Jacques le Roux said the regulator decided to produce the video following a rise in pick and carry crane injuries across the industry.

"In this particular incident, the worker was standing within an exclusion zone so he was far too close to the object that was being moved," said Mr le Roux.

Findings like this highlight recurring hazards within the industry, particularly around crane operation and exclusion zone breaches. RSHQ's approach reflects a broader industry trend toward using visual storytelling to reinforce safety lessons that written procedures alone can't always convey.

Supporting a Safer Industry Through Education

Sharing real incident footage through video gives mine workers a practical, memorable way to understand hazards before they encounter them on site. This mirrors similar regulator-led efforts, such as the animated video encouraging Queensland's resources sector to report high potential incidents, which also relies on storytelling to strengthen safety culture across mines.

Other jurisdictions are taking comparable steps to protect workers in high-risk industries. For example, SafeWork SA's recent campaign targeting farm safety and Queensland's quad bike safety campaign both demonstrate how targeted communication reduces preventable incidents across sectors facing similar hazards.

Key Takeaways for Industry Professionals

• Exclusion zones exist to protect workers from moving loads and must always be respected during crane operation.
• Video-based training helps reinforce lessons from real incidents in ways that resonate with frontline workers.
• Ongoing collaboration between regulators and industry supports safer practices across Queensland's coal mines.
• Reviewing safe work method statements regularly helps address hazards specific to pick and carry crane use.

Businesses operating mobile plant or cranes should ensure their documentation reflects current hazards and control measures. SafetyDocs offers a customisable SWMS template to help industry professionals maintain compliance and reduce risk on site.

Read more here.