Common causes of injury to workers in mining are missteps and falls when stepping out of large trucks and other plant.  Under the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022, duty holders need to manage the risk of falls at mining workplaces, and this can only be done by considering all the factors which can lead to a potential fall risk. Other than the design of steps, accessibility of grab rails for plant users and the integrity of tread grip, several organisational and environmental factors can influence the risk of a fall. These include the workload and its pace, infrastructure and plant design, ability to see steps, and the personal protective equipment worn (including footwear).  WorkSafe has developed a checklist to assist any person conducting a business or undertaking to identify the factors that may have led to a slip, trip, fall incident. 

Further information

WorkSafe Western Australia

• Managing risks of plant in the workplace: Code of practice
• Slips, trips and falls: Investigation report

Australian Standard

• AS 4024.1 Safeguarding of machinery, Part 1: General principles

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

• Preventing workers falling from trucks: Risk identification and action plan tool