Blee was working as a continuous miner operator for Walter Mining (now WDS Mining division) and while the presented evidence varied on the circumstances of what transpired, his death was caused by a pelvic crush injury.

After the accident WDS reviewed and changed procedures and risk assessments, as well as performing awareness sessions with its entire workforce.

Behavioural observational training has since become a prerequisite for every employee who joins the contractor, along with refresher courses.

WDS Mining Queensland operations manager Warren Cremor told the inquest a continuous review after the accident had led to the development of the sequence control manual for place change mining.

Training packages and computer simulations developed by the contractor cover behavioural observations, no-go zones, pinch points, isolation and tagging.

Cremor said he understood WDS was one of the first organisations in the industry to use computer simulations in this way.

The first change made by Anglo Coal’s Moranbah North mine was to cease mining in the same area as the accident.

While bord and pillar mining continued in other areas of the mine, large diagrams of all the no-go zones were put in each crib room and pogo sticks were placed at 10m intervals to visually mark the safe areas for pedestrians.

A colour system was implemented to delineate the restricted zones and no-go zones during each step of the mining cycle.

The displays of the no-go zones include a brief written description on what is happening and who is to move where.

The diagrams are specific, covering right hand cuts, left hand cuts, break aways and flitting.

New systems to control the interaction between vehicles and people have been introduced, and an ongoing program of worker sessions and training has focused on communication and issues such as directing the repositioning of the shuttle car.

Communication systems are designed so the three key positions of CM operator, shuttle car driver and cable hand are informed about the decisions made during the shift.

The mine is also working on an audit system to make sure each worker truly tests their competence with the machinery they use, rather just relying on what they are qualified to do.

An improved registration system is being developed to ensure specific competencies for workers are date logged and flagged, and that they do not expire.

The emergency response trailer at the go line has been upgraded, now having a second set of airbags with a better control lever, while additional airbags with a regulator have been purchased so they can run off a caber cylinder.

A new procedure has been developed for the operation of an air bag system.

The mine is mocking up a pilot system to demonstrate its capabilities in such issues as vehicle collision and pedestrian interaction, possibly indicating an upcoming trial of a proximity detection/collision avoidance system.

Moranbah North would like to see risk assessments performed on the visual limitations of every piece of underground machinery, to help formulate no-go zones and work processes around these machines.

The operation has also introduced an audiovisual, more interactive style of training.

An independent audit of the incident helped to identify the required safety changes.

Blee had a second job as a trainer assessor outside of his workplace and was sitting for his deputies.