Michael Gorey 1991
At approximately 10.00 am on Wednesday, 22 May 1991, the deceased, Michael John Gorey, a boilermaker employed by the contracting firm of Barkly Welders, was gas-cutting an opening in the floor chequer plate beneath the head snubber drum of the new conveyor extension at the top of the mullock bin. This installation had been commissioned only three days previously and it was found that fines ahering to the belt were causing a build-up on the floor beneath the conveyor. The purpose of the opening was to allow the spillage to fall into the bin.
Assisting deceased was Darren John Lutze, another boilermaker also from Barkly Welders. Just before the accident, these two were joined by Juoko Oltai Lehti, an MIM beltman who came across from the crude ore bins to find out how long it would be before he could restart the belt.
Lutze took over from deceased to finish the cut while the deceased and Lehti held a wire rope sling attached to the section of floor plate being removed so that when detached it would not fall into the bin. Both men were standing on four unsecured steel acrow plants spanning the discharge opening in the floor beside the conveyor. Neither man was secured by safety belt and lanyard.
As Lutze completed the cut and the section of plate fell free, Gorey and Lehti were pulled forward, dislodging one of the acrow planks. Gorey fell through the gap, temporarily grasped the conveyor stop line and then continued his fall 26 metres to the bottom of the empty bin where he came to rest in the west discharge chute. Lehti fell spreadeagled across the remaining Acrow planks but managed to get clear. The deceased died almost instantaneously due to cardiorespiratory arrest due to massive internal injuries and lung collapse.
This accident claimed the life of Michael John Gorey
Recommendations
When removing structural sections in elevated position and it is not desirable for the member to fall free, the section to be removed must first be properly secured to a solid anchor point. Chain blocks, pull-lifts or slings and shackles, all of adequate strength, are considered suitable for this purpose.
In elevated positions, planks used as temporary cover for openings must be secured to prevent there being accidentally dislodged.
Also, personnel required to work where there is a risk of falling must use safety belt with lanyard or other approved means of restraint.
Steps should be taken by managers and supervisors to ensure a greater appreciation and awareness of general safety issues on all construction sites by those people employed thereon.