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Category: Mining Industry / Death / Disasters and Accidents

Copper Mines Tasmania fined $225k over worker deaths

Tuesday, 13 Dec 2016 12:57:21

LtoR Alistair Lucas and Craig Gleeson, who died in a mining accident at the Mount Lyell mine in Queenstown, Tasmania. (Supplied)

It is almost three years to the day since a platform collapsed in the Mount Lyell copper mine, sending two men plummeting to their deaths.

Alistair Lucas and Craig Gleeson, who died in a mining accident at the Mount Lyell mine. Photo: Alistair Lucas and Craig Gleeson, who died at the Mount Lyell mine in December 10, 2013. (Supplied)

Craig Gleeson and Alistair Lucas were working on a maintenance platform about 600 metres underground when it collapsed in December 2013.

Mr Gleeson, 45, was killed instantly, while Mr Lucas, 25, died in hospital.

Today, the mine's operator Copper Mines of Tasmania (CMT) was fined $225,000 over workplace safety failures.

The company faced a maximum penalty of $1,500,000.

During sentencing at Burnie's Magistrates Court, Magistrate Tamara Jago said CMT did not test the strength of the timber platform.

In August CMT pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its health and safety duty.

Worksafe report critical of standards

Mill at the Mount Lyell copper mine. Photo: The mine has been closed since 2014, with commodity prices partly blamed for the delay in reopening. (ABC News: Rick Eaves)

WorkSafe Tasmania's report into the deaths of Mr Lucas and Mr Gleeson handed down in 2015 was highly critical of the work standards enforced by CMT.

The report said the two men were using heavy equipment to repair a bracket, which opened a heavy steel door at the mine.

A WorkSafe investigation alleges the maintenance platform was built from wood which it says did not meet Australian standards. Photo: A WorkSafe investigation alleges the maintenance platform was built from wood which it says did not meet Australian standards. (WorkSafe Tasmania)

WorkSafe found the wood used in a temporary platform Mr Gleeson had made to carry out the work did not meet Australian standards.

It also found the chipping hammer Mr Gleeson was using came loose and slammed into the timber, splitting the platform and sending both men falling 22 metres onto broken rocks.

Rescuers took more than an hour to reach Mr Lucas, because the ladders leading down the mine shaft were deemed unsafe.

The report concluded it was reasonably practicable for CMT to have prevented the accident, stating there was a shortage of safety staff and no standard design for the temporary work platform.

It also found the company failed to enforce safe working procedures and permits and to ensure staff were adequately trained.

Mount Lyell Copper Mine, Queenstown, Tasmania. Photo: The Mount Lyell copper mine began operation in 1883. (ABC News: Selina Bryan)

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