The mine worker fell about 14 metres from an elevated front end loader bucket positioned within a mine shaft.

Workers at the NSW mine were attempting to calibrate load cells associated with a hoisting shaft loading station, near the bottom of a hoisting shaft.

A steel framed basket containing weights was placed into a front end loader bucket. The basket was unrestrained and overhanging the front lip of the bucket.

Two workers wearing full body harnesses were positioned either side of the basket. Each harness was attached to the loader bucket by a rope lanyard.

The worker who fell was attempting to attach slings from the basket onto chains that had earlier been hung from a weigh flask.

The front end loader was stationary but while raising and levelling the bucket it seems that a movement of the bucket caused the basket to fall.

One of the workers also fell from the bucket but his rope lanyard failed and he fell to the bottom of the shaft.

“It is highly likely that the professional and quick response by the mine’s rescue team saved the worker’s life,” the inspectorate said in its report on the incident.

The inspectorate urged mine operators to consider the Model Code of Practice - Managing the Risk of Falls.

“Include in your ‘fall from height’ protocols provision for training and instruction in fit for purpose equipment to ensure it is properly stored, tested, maintained and discarded where appropriate,” it said.

“When lifting people ensure compliance with the provisions of clause 219 and clause 220 of the WHSR, in particular that the persons are lifted or suspended in a work box.”