A side discharge conveyor on a screening plant collapsed suddenly while in operation at a quarry on 4 August.

The supporting structure failed at the midpoint, instantly causing the discharge end of the conveyor to collapse.

A series of key safety recommendations have subsequently been issued by WorkSafe Victoria.

Several months before the incident, a steel diversion chute had been retro-fitted to the discharge end of the conveyor. Clay material had built up inside the chute, and the combined weight of the steel chute and the extra material led to the failure.

The steel diversion chute was not supplied, installed, or checked by the manufacturer of the plant.

No employees were injured in the incident.

To reduce the risk of plant structural failure, quarry and mine operators should:

All employers have duties under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. They must so far as is reasonably practicable:

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 employers must, so far as reasonably practicable, eliminate the risk associated with plant, including plant modifications.

In addition, mine operators must:

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