Safety alert released after mine worker caught by reversing vehicle in central Queensland

Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) has released an industry-wide safety alert after a worker became trapped between two vehicles at a coal mining site in Central Queensland. No serious injuries were reported, though inspectors warn the near miss carried fatal potential.

Full details of the regulator's news release appear below, alongside practical controls that sites can apply today.

What the regulator reported

• A reversing tilt tray came dangerously close to a mobile crane during routine haulage operations.
• Rear movement left a worker trapped between both machines, inspectors confirmed.
• Chief Inspector of Coal Mines Jacques le Roux verified that nobody sustained lasting harm.
• Investigators classified the near miss as an HPI, recorded late last month.
• Interim guidance already sits with industry while the inquiry runs its course.

“While reversing, a tilt tray truck came very close to a pick and carry crane and trapped a coal mine worker between the two vehicles,” he said.

“This incident could have caused serious injury or death to the worker involved. In 2024 a coal mine worker was fatally injured after becoming trapped between two vehicles.”

Mr le Roux noted that the High Potential Incident investigation remains in progress, yet preliminary guidance has been shared so operators can act immediately rather than wait for findings.

Why this news matters for vehicle-heavy worksites

Crush injuries involving mobile plant and people on foot rank among the deadliest incidents across Australian resources work. Just one misjudged manoeuvre can leave somebody dead and another seriously injured.

Regulators publish such news early so every crew can review traffic management before history repeats. Our team previously covered how a mine worker has died after a central Queensland vehicle incident, and comparable warnings followed a fatal tractor rollover in Queensland.

Practical controls for reversing plant

• Separate pedestrians from moving machinery using physical barriers and clearly marked exclusion zones.
• Confirm positive communication between drivers and spotters before any unit tracks rearwards.
• Verify proximity detection, reversing cameras and audible alarms at the start of each shift.
• Document expectations within a written vehicle policy, then brief crews during pre-start meetings.
• Empower health and safety representatives to halt unsafe movements without hesitation.

Under Queensland work health and safety legislation, businesses must eliminate or minimise risk so far as is reasonably practicable; see WorkSafe Queensland for duty-holder detail. Digital safety software helps supervisors log inspections, verify controls and close out corrective actions site-wide.

Related safety news and resources

• Alert issued after a worker lost an arm in an underground mine
• Electrical Safety Policy
• Electrical inspection checklist for New Zealand teams

Where can teams follow mine safety news?

RSHQ publishes alerts and news bulletins covering high-potential events across Queensland resource sites. Our blog gathers Australian workplace news, incidents and health guidance each week, and the SafetyDocs support team can assist with document selection for your operation.