30/04/2020
We are reminding businesses to ensure safe systems of work are in place when using and maintaining crushing plant following a fatal injury when attempting to clear a metal tramp blockage in a cone crusher located in a quarry.
SafeWork SA is reminding businesses to ensure safe systems of work are in place when using and maintaining crushing plant.
In April 2020, a worker received fatal injuries when attempting to clear a metal tramp blockage in a cone crusher located in a quarry. The crusher was not in operation at the time of the incident.
Safety issues
- Persons entering into a cone crusher, below the mantle, to undertake any work should be prohibited.
- Metal tramp blockages in cone crushers create large amounts of stored energy and extreme caution should be taken when they occur.
- Use of oxy cutting, thermic lance or other hot work methods should not be used to clear metal tramp blockages in cone crushers.
- Metal tramp blockages in cone crushers can cause internal damage to the crusher, which may create other safety issues.
Risk control measures
To avoid potential risk to workers’ health and safety, businesses need to:
- consider & utilise engineering controls to minimise the risk of metal tramp blockages occurring
- develop and implement a safe system of work for the use and maintenance of cone crushers.
- develop and implement isolation and lock-out procedures for when maintenance, repairs and fault finding is being carried out on plant
- develop and implement a safe system of work for the clearing of metal tramp blockages in cone crushers
- use cone crushers in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
- ensure cone crushers have the appropriate safety devices installed, such as interlocks and emergency stops and that each are tested prior to use
- ensure all nip and trapping points are guarded, in place and secured prior to use of the plant
- ensure pre start checks are documented and undertaken in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
- ensure all repairs/maintenance are undertaken by competent persons in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
- ensure workers wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for task being undertaken.