Mining company fined after worker’s arm gets caught in conveyor

Big Bell Gold Operations Pty Ltd has been fined $400,000 plus costs of $5,743.30 after a worker’s arm became stuck in a conveyor at the company’s Bluebird gold processing plant, located 24 kilometres northwest of Cue.

Big Bell Gold, a subsidiary of Westgold Resources Ltd, pleaded guilty today in Perth Magistrates Court to failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.

On February 21, 2020, two workers were hired to use tools to remove materials accumulated under a conveyor while it was still in operation.

Despite the conveyor belt guard, a person could pass under the guard and access dangerous moving parts since the guard stopped approximately 800 millimeters above the ground.

One of the workers became trapped in the roller and return belt while removing material accumulated under the operational conveyor using a shovel.

A co-worker pulled an emergency cord to stop the conveyor and used a crowbar to lift the belt, allowing the contractor to remove his arm. The contractor suffered lacerations to his left arm.

WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said the worker was very lucky not to lose a limb.

“Businesses must implement and enforce isolation procedures appropriate to facilities and machinery and ensure that pinch points are always properly protected,” she said.

“In this case, the worker had completed a one-hour online safety induction training course, but this did not cover conveyor safety or isolations.

“It was the works supervisor’s first day at the plant and he had received no specific training for this role.

“Companies must ensure that all workers receive the required training and are assessed as competent in the tasks assigned to them.

Ms North said WorkSafe remains concerned about the increasing number of serious incidents involving conveyors with inadequate or no guarding.

Following the incident, Big Bell Gold expanded conveyor protection and strengthened safety training protocols.

WorkSafe’s Code of Practice describes the hazards associated with machinery, including unguarded conveyors.