A road train rollover occurred on the haul road access route to a gold mine, resulting in serious injuries to the operator.
The incident took place as the operator was navigating a sweeping bend while hauling ore. The cab and the first trailer overturned, while the remaining two trailers remained upright.
The operator sustained multiple fractures, lacerations and bruising. Initially, the site medic treated the injured worker before an aerial medical transport crew evacuated them to a metropolitan hospital.
According to reports, the road condition was good, with routine grading and dust-suppression measures in place.
Actions taken immediately included:
- preserving the scene;
- capturing photographs and vehicle camera data; and
- dispatching inspectors to the site to begin the investigation.
Key takeaways
- Identify hazards—Confirm vehicle operators know hazard identification and response procedures, especially for haul roads.
- Inspect vehicles—Foster robust vehicle inspection and maintenance regimes, including thorough pre-start checks.
This incident focuses attention on the risks associated with operating heavy vehicles on haul roads, particularly in challenging terrain. An investigation is in progress to identify contributing factors and prevent recurrences.
