THE Queensland Department of Mines and Energy has stressed the importance of having proximity detection systems like sensors to maintain safety in mines.
The department says mines should install proximity sensors after undertaking risk assessment audits and personnel education.
The authorities claim areas within machine turning radii and ‘pinch points’ are particularly risky zones for operators to work in. Proximity sensors should be installed in these hot spots. The units would set off an alarm when a worker gets too close.
Statistics from the US Mine Safety and Health Administration note 72% of mining machine-related deaths occur when the victim was operating a remote control. These fatalities often occur in times when proximity to machines is more frequent, like part changing.
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