Report – Coal – Person falling – October 2025 to May 2026

This report provides the findings of an assessment program at surface & underground coal mines focussing on the mechanical engineering control plan – person falling

Sector	Coal – surface and underground
Principal control plan	Mechanical Engineering control plan
Material unwanted event	Person falling
Topic	Person falling

Operation type assessed

Operation type	Number of mines assessed
Surface	33
Underground	17
Total	50

Criteria assessed

Critical control	Criteria
Fall Prevention Devices	Observe working at heights activities. Does the mine implement effective fall prevention during work at heights? How does the mine ensure fall prevention devices are effective and fit for purpose?
Work positioning systems	Observe tasks being conducted in the field and discuss with workers – have fall arrest systems been implemented? Observe tasks being conducted in the field and discuss with workers – are fall arrest systems in good condition and in date? Are workers conducting the tasks trained and authorised to do so?
Access to edge restricted (e.g. stand-off distance maintained)	Observe tasks being conducted in the field and discuss with workers – have exclusion zones and safe standing zones been identified and implemented around edges and openings? Has access been restricted with barriers or barricades?
Emergency response	Can ERT team members describe how they would conduct a rescue of a person who has fallen? A suspended person? Can the mine provide evidence that emergency response from person falling is considered on site?

Findings with issues identified – surface and underground mines

Critical control	Criteria	Findings of concern	Findings of contravention	Total findings with issues
Fall Prevention Devices	Observe working at heights activities. Does the mine implement effective fall prevention during work at heights?	3	4	7
Fall Prevention Devices	How does the mine ensure fall prevention devices are effective and fit for purpose?	4	0	4
Work positioning systems	How does the mine ensure work positioning system equipment is maintained?	1	2	3
Fall arrest systems	Observe tasks being conducted in the field and discuss with workers – have fall arrest systems been implemented?	1	0	1
Fall arrest systems	Observe tasks being conducted in the field and discuss with workers – are fall arrest systems in good condition and in date? Are workers conducting the tasks trained and authorised to do so?	1	2	3
Access to edge restricted (e.g. stand-off distance maintained)	Observe tasks being conducted in the field and discuss with workers – have exclusion zones and safe standing zones been identified and implemented around edges and openings? Has access been restricted with barriers or barricades?	2	3	5
Emergency response	Can ERT team members describe how they would conduct a rescue of a person who has fallen? A suspended person?	0	0	0
Emergency response	Can the mine provide evidence that emergency response from person falling is considered on site?	1	0	1
Total program findings with issues		12	11	23
Other topic findings – not related to MECP-person falling		16	10	26

Compliance notice type issued during the program

Notice type	Notices	Percentage of all notices issued
WHS(MPS)A s23 notice of concerns	24	56%
WHSA s191 improvement notice	19	44%
WHSA s195 prohibition notice	0	0%
Total	43	100%

A total of 43 compliance notices were issued to 28 surface and underground coal mines

Note: This data represents all notices issued during the program and may include notices other than Mechanical Engineering Control Plan- person falling topics.

Recommendations

Operators of underground coal mines should review their site principal mechanical engineering control plan and the critical controls assessed for the topic of person falling.

Critical control	Criteria	Recommendations to industry
Fall Prevention Devices	Observe working at heights activities. Does the mine implement effective fall prevention during work at heights? How does the mine ensure fall prevention devices are effective and fit for purpose?	Sites with legacy plant and structures or when specifying new structures should consider provision and arrangements for: Permanent, rated anchor points, gates, door or removable handrails area access or restrictions when handrails are removed, gates or doors open to allow crane access for component change out or consumable supply. Ensure legacy infrastructure has adequate guarding to prevent workers falling down ladder ways from maintenance platforms for conveyors, cranes or other infrastructure, review existing infrastructure and controls. Ensure site reviews include the management of gates, doors and anchorage systems which are often inspected as part of structural integrity programs. Ensure regular use access areas have designated signage, anchorage points and applicable equipment available.
Work positioning systems	How does the mine ensure work positioning system equipment is maintained?	Ensure site managers and supervisors understand competence, documentation and equipment requirements for monitoring specialised contractors for work positioning tasks & equipment such as rope access If using contract supplied elevated work platforms and scissor lifts, ensure appropriate introduction to site processes are in place, pre-use and periodic inspections are conducted and recorded and defects reported and rectified by the equipment owners. Ensure workers understand how different safety systems work on EWPs and scissor lifts as different manufacturers use different safety cut out systems. Ensure consistent pre-use inspections and defect reporting on EWPs and scissor lifts, ensure robust processes are in place for the recording of inspections and defects and reporting to equipment owners & maintainers, ensure workers and supervisors understand site systems and requirements related to pre-use inspections and defect reporting. Consideration of additional guidance to workers around task setup and work area approach with EWPs to minimise the complexity of recovery if an observer is required to use ground controls.
Fall arrest systems	Observe tasks being conducted in the field and discuss with workers – have fall arrest systems been implemented? Observe tasks being conducted in the field and discuss with workers – are fall arrest systems in good condition and in date? Are workers conducting the tasks trained and authorised to do so?	Ensure harnesses and lanyards were are well maintained and used for tasks with potential for falls from height. Ensure a variety of equipment is available for expected circumstances so that range of motion in work zone and fall height can be appropriately managed. Ensure workers are aware of fall arrest systems training and appointment requirements & have confirmed tagging from periodic inspection and undertaken pre-use inspections.
Access to edge restricted (e.g. stand-off distance maintained)	Observe tasks being conducted in the field and discuss with workers – have exclusion zones and safe standing zones been identified and implemented around edges and openings? Has access been restricted with barriers or barricades?	Ensure appropriate procedures in place for edge stand offs, access restrictions or use of fall prevention, relevant to in pit areas such as highwalls & dams as well as infrastructure areas. Ensure procedures, equipment or signage for areas which would routinely require access restrictions or fall prevention controls, consider reviewing areas on site where a person could fall from height.
Emergency response	Can ERT team members describe how they would conduct a rescue of a person who has fallen? A suspended person? Can the mine provide evidence that emergency response from person falling is considered on site?	Ensure workers understand systems of preparedness for the recovery of a person who has fallen, Where applicable prepare tasks with emergency recovery equipment in place before commencement the task, such as reel/winch and tripod, an additional EWP or crane man basket to access or recover a worker quickly by secondary means. Consider the use of fall arrest harnesses with leg loops if not using work positioning harnesses designed to be continuously loaded, this should be considered for all tasks, especially where immediate recovery is not possible. Ensure you have appropriate consideration of emergency planning and supervisor review and sign off for work at height permits, plans or procedures. Ensure supervisors and workers are aware of expectations on the depth and detail of recovery/emergency plans for work at height tasks. Ensure EWP spotters understand the importance of their role and ability to operate ground controls of EWPs. Include in training scenario’s emergency simulations relating to fall from height or recovery of injured workers from height.