Mine inquest

A NSW coroner's jury has recommended safety measures at the Perilya Broken Hill mine, in western NSW, after an inquest into the death of an employee underground.

A mineworker died of a fractured skull and other injuries while travelling between levels in a cage in November 2002. He was alone and the jury found his head was struck outside the cage by a protruding object in the shaft area. The jury recommended Perilya be required to ensure the cage on each shaft is always controlled only by a certified competent operator.

It also recommended winder drivers on each shift be provided with a list of the operators working and the company meet union officials monthly to discuss safety issues. A mining inspector told the inquest the mineworker was not a trained or experienced operator of the cage and may have opened the door early due to a lack of experience.