Inspectors warn of repeat safety failures in Queensland coal mines as fatigue dust and fires persist

Queensland’s Coal Mines Inspectorate has flagged repeat safety failings across the state’s coal sector, with fatigue, dust exposure, fires, and falls from plant access systems dominating its September 2025 incident periodical.
By Staff Writer on October 1, 2025
Safety, Occupational Health, Incident Reporting, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ESG, Regulatory Adherence, Audit and Inspection, Risk, Risk Assessment, Risk Mitigation
Australia, Queensland, Bowen Basin
Energy Minerals, Coal (Thermal and Metallurgical)

Queensland’s Coal Mines Inspectorate has warned that coal mining operations are continuing to report repeat safety incidents, with fatigue, dust exposure, fires on mobile equipment, and falls from plant access systems among the most common issues identified in its September 2025 incident periodical.

Recurring incident patterns

The periodical details a series of high-potential events across mines in recent months. These include:

  • workers injured by metal shards ejected during maintenance tasks

  • serious falls from haul trucks, dozers, drill rigs and dewatering trucks

  • vehicle collisions and near misses linked to microsleeps

  • failures to give way at mine intersections despite hierarchy traffic rules

The Inspectorate noted that while most failures to give way did not result in collisions, the trend highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of traffic management procedures.

Fatigue and vehicle safety

Fatigue-related incidents continue to present one of the most persistent risks. The Inspectorate reported cases where operators of light vehicles and rear dump trucks fell asleep while driving, resulting in collisions with bunds or failures to stop at intersections.

It urged mines to ensure fatigue management plans are in place and effectively communicated, with consideration of factors such as heat, monotonous work and sleeping arrangements.

Dust exposure and lung disease

The report highlighted a rise in silica exceedances for dozer operators during the first half of 2025. Dozer drivers accounted for one-third of all exceedances, and none of the workers affected reported wearing respiratory protective equipment.

Cabin ventilation systems were singled out as a key compliance gap, with the Inspectorate recommending fleet-wide audits and risk-based maintenance schedules.

Data on mine dust lung disease (MDLD) was also included. Since 1984, 685 cases have been diagnosed among Queensland coal mine workers. Of these, 129 cases were underground and 281 were surface. Pneumoconiosis and silicosis remain the most common conditions, with silicosis more prevalent in open-cut mines due to silica in overburden.

Fires on heavy mobile equipment

The Inspectorate’s analysis of fires on heavy mobile equipment during FY24/25 showed no downward trend, with dozers and rear dump trucks most frequently affected. It called for thorough investigation of all incidents, involvement of equipment manufacturers, and use of findings to improve maintenance practices.

Regulatory update

The Board of Examiners reminded industry that all certificate holders and site senior executives must be registered under the Practising Certificate Scheme. From October 2025, new changes will make it easier to lodge continuous professional development activities online.

access system safety , black lung , Board of Examiners , cabin ventilation systems , dust suppression , engineering controls , fall prevention , heavy mobile equipment , incident reporting , management , microsleeps , mine dust lung disease , mine inspectors , mining equipment fires , mining industry regulation , mining risk assessment , mining safety audits , mining safety culture , mining workforce health , occupational health , personal protective equipment , practising certificate scheme , regulatory compliance , respirable dust , risk mitigation , silica exposure , silicosis , traffic management

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