Arabic version: عامل في حالة حرجة بعد انفجار أنبوب في منجم كرينوم

According to ABC News, a 71-year-old worker remains in a critical condition at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after a workplace incident at the Crinum underground mine near Emerald in central Queensland.

Emergency services were called to the mine at about 10am on Saturday. The man was treated for significant injuries to his chest, face, arm and abdomen, before being taken to hospitals in Emerald and Rockhampton. He was flown to the Brisbane hospital on Monday morning.

Resources Safety and Health Queensland’s initial investigation found the worker had been carrying out maintenance on a pipe system. He was standing on the front bumper of a mine vehicle, known as a drift runner, to access pipework when a pipe blew as he tightened a clamp. Pressurised air created dust and reduced visibility, and the man fell, the regulator’s report stated.

The report said the drift runner’s operator then moved the vehicle for unknown reasons, striking the worker on the ground. RSHQ has isolated the scene, suspended certain operations until they can be performed at an acceptable level of risk, and is continuing its investigation. The regulator issued a safety alert urging coal mine operators to isolate and depressurise systems, establish exclusion zones and use suitable work platforms rather than mobile equipment when working on pressurised systems.

The Crinum underground mine forms part of the Sojitz Blue-owned and operated Gregory Crinum Complex, which also includes an open-cut mine about 60 kilometres north-east of Emerald. Mining and Energy Union industry safety and health representatives are involved in the investigation. The union said its thoughts were with the injured worker, his family, first responders and workmates, and that it would support members while the circumstances are established.