“It Was Fine… Until It Wasn’t”: Rethinking Rule-Breaking in Mining Operations
Every mine has them: the shortcuts. The workarounds. The “we’ve always done it this way.” In the fast-paced, high-pressure world of mining, bending the rules can feel harmless—even smart. Until the day it isn’t.
⚠️ When Risk Becomes Routine: Skipping a pre-start check. Ignoring PPE for “just a quick job.” Pushing the limits of equipment capacity. These aren’t just isolated choices—they’re habits. And when those habits become the norm, the line between efficiency and danger disappears.
💥 The Slow Fade to Disaster: What often gets overlooked is how these small breaches chip away at the safety culture. It doesn’t happen overnight. But every unchecked decision erodes the foundation until one mistake—one misjudgment—is enough to trigger an incident.
🧠 Why We Break Rules
Production pressure
Peer culture
Lack of enforcement or unclear procedures
Overconfidence from “getting away with it” in the past
None of these are excuses—but they are real reasons that must be addressed head-on.
🔄 Resetting the Culture
It’s time to challenge the idea that rule-breaking is clever or necessary. Accountability starts not just with leaders, but with every individual on site. Safety isn’t a box to tick—it’s a mindset to live by, especially when no one’s watching.
🚧 The Culture of Convenience: From skipping pre-starts to using makeshift lifting points, small breaches often go unnoticed—until they nearly cost lives. Like the crew who used access steps instead of OEM-approved lifting points to hoist a mini excavator. The weld failed. The machine plummeted 10 metres into a crusher vault. Two workers were below.
Or the team that wandered into an unstable excavation to sample water, unaware of the risk of collapse. A near miss, narrowly avoided.
These aren’t isolated incidents. In 2023 alone, Queensland recorded 54 significant mining incidents. Many incidents involved uncontrolled equipment movements, vehicle collisions, and machinery sliding into water bodies.
🧠 Why It Happens
- Production pressure
- Overconfidence from past “successes”
- Poor visibility during night shifts
- Misunderstood or ignored procedures
- A culture that rewards speed over safety
📜 The Legal Line in the Sand Queensland’s Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 is crystal clear: risk must be managed to an acceptable level. The Act binds all persons—from operators to contractors—and outlines obligations for safe systems of work, hazard management, and incident reporting. This even includes provisions for industrial manslaughter when negligence leads to death. That’s not just policy—it’s accountability.
🔄 From Near Miss to Near Hit Every close call is a warning. A chance to reset. A moment to ask: are we managing risk, or just managing to get by?
✅ What Needs to Change
A culture that values safety as much as production
Leadership that walks the talk—not just during audits
Training that empowers, not just instructs
Reporting without fear—because silence is deadly
🛻 “I Didn’t Lock It In…” – A Slide Down the Ramp
I was cresting the ramp in a 793. Wet morning. Bit of fog. I’d done this run a hundred times.
But this time, I didn’t lock it into gear before the descent. I was distracted—thinking about the water truck that had just passed, maybe even the footy scores.
As I started down, the truck picked up speed. Fast. Too fast.
I hit the retarder—nothing. Tried the service brake—skid. The back end started to fishtail. I was sliding.
By some miracle, I managed to steer into the berm and bring it to a stop. Shaking. Breathing hard. I radioed it in.
The supervisor met me halfway down the ramp. Didn’t yell. Just said, “You know better.”
And I did.
💡 Toolbox Talk Takeaways:
- Never assume visibility equals awareness.
- Always lock into gear before cresting a ramp—every time.
- Wet roads and distractions don’t mix
🛻 “I Thought He Was Clear…” – A Near Miss on the Dump
It was end of shift, and I was in the truck, lining up to reverse onto the dump. The dozer had just finished a push across the face. I saw him reversing out and figured he was done.
I called up once—no answer. Called again. Still nothing. I assumed he was clear and started backing in.
Then I saw it—just a flash of yellow in my mirror. The dozer was still behind the pile, repositioning for another push. I slammed the brakes. The tray stopped maybe a metre from his cab.
He jumped out, white as a ghost. I was shaking too.
Turns out, he’d been on a different channel. No pos comms. No confirmation. Just two operators making assumptions in a high-risk zone.
The Psychology Behind Rule-Bending
“We’ve always done it this way” When shortcuts become the norm, they stop feeling risky. Familiarity breeds complacency.
Production pressure When output is king, safety can feel like a speed bump. Workers feel pushed—directly or indirectly—to cut corners to meet targets.
Overconfidence “I’ve done this a hundred times.” That mindset can override caution, especially when past rule-breaking didn’t lead to consequences.
Peer influence If the crew’s culture tolerates or even rewards risk-taking, it’s hard to be the one who speaks up.
Lack of enforcement If breaches go unnoticed or unaddressed, it sends a message: the rules don’t really matter.
⚠️ The Hidden Cost of “It’ll Be Right”
Many of Australia’s mining safety reforms were born from tragedy. According to Smith’s Lawyers, one such tragedy was the Mount Mulligan disaster. In this disaster, 75 lives were lost due to basic safety oversights. That event alone led to sweeping legislative changes, including bans on open flames underground.
But even today, non-compliance in mining can lead to massive consequences:
- Fatalities and life-altering injuries
- Legal action, including industrial manslaughter charges
- Environmental damage and shutdowns
- Loss of trust from workers and communities
🔄 Changing the Culture Starts Here
Train for mindset, not just compliance—because safety is a belief system, not a checklist
Normalise speaking up—even when it’s uncomfortable
Reward safe behavior, not just fast results
Make rules visible and personal—tie them to real stories and real people
✅ Culture Check: Crew Self-Assessment Tool
This quick checklist is designed to spark honest reflection during pre-starts or weekly safety meetings. It’s not about blame—it’s about awareness.
🔍 Ask your crew:
| Statement | Yes | No | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| We always confirm positive communication before entering shared zones (e.g. dumps, ramps). | ☐ | ☐ | |
| We stop work when unsure, even if it delays production. | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Supervisors model safe behavior—even under pressure. | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Near misses are reported and discussed openly. | ☐ | ☐ | |
| We challenge unsafe behavior—even from senior crew. | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Toolbox talks are relevant, real, and not just tick-box. | ☐ | ☐ | |
| We celebrate safe decisions—not just fast ones. | ☐ | ☐ |
💡 Tip: If you’re ticking “No” more than twice, it’s time for a culture reset.
🛠️ Toolbox Talk: “Speed vs. Safety—What Are We Really Rewarding?”
“Think about the last time someone got praised for getting the job done fast. Now ask—was it also done safely?”
🧠 Discussion Points:
- What gets rewarded on this site? Is it the person who finishes first—or the one who follows the process?
- Have you ever felt pressure to cut corners? What did that feel like? What stopped you—or didn’t?
- What message do we send when we ignore unsafe behavior? Silence is approval. What we walk past, we accept.
📣 Real-World Example:
A truckie skips a pre-start to make the first load. Supervisor says, “Nice hustle.” Next week, that same truck breaks down mid-ramp—brakes failed. Lesson: Speed without safety is a ticking clock.
✅ Takeaways:
- Safe work is smart work—and it lasts longer.
- Speak up when you see shortcuts being rewarded.
- Leaders: praise the process, not just the pace.
🧱 What Is Culture in Mining?
In simple terms, culture is “how we do things around here.” It’s not just policies or posters—it’s the shared values, habits, and attitudes that shape decisions on site. It’s what people do when no one’s watching.
There are two key layers:
- Safety culture: How much people value and highlight safety in their day-to-day actions.
- Organisational culture: What the company rewards, tolerates, or ignores—especially under pressure.
⚠️ What “Rewarding Speed Over Safety” Looks Like
- A truckie skips a pre-start to make the first load—and gets praised for being “efficient.”
- A dozer operator pushes through fatigue to finish a pad—and gets a pat on the back.
- A supervisor turns a blind eye to a shortcut because “we’re behind schedule.”
Over time, these moments send a message: speed = success, success =KPIs. Which equals money in the pocket. So might I suggest, safety is just a box to tick.
🧨 Why It’s Dangerous
According to AusIMM, in negative safety cultures:
- Workers only follow rules when being watched.
- Incidents are hidden or downplayed.
- Corners are cut to meet production targets.
This mindset doesn’t just increase risk—it guarantees it. As one safety leader put it:
“In a culture like that, it’s not a matter of if something goes wrong—it’s when and how bad.”
What happens when this mindset is ongoing:
🛻 1. Loader Drives Over Edge of Open Void – Whirling Dervish Mine, WA (2020)
A worker was killed after driving an underground loader over the edge of an unbunded stope—falling 25 metres. The supervisor had removed barricades and left the area, and no Job Hazard Analysis had been completed.
“There were no physical barriers to prevent the loader entering the stope… These factors are especially important as a loader’s configuration can limit the driver’s forward visibility.” — WorkSafe WA Chief Inspector of Mines
⚡ 2. Electrocution from Energised Dump Truck – Undisclosed Mine, Australia (2024)
A worker died after touching a dump truck that had not been properly de-energised.
“A mine employee passed away after coming into contact with an electrified dump truck.” —Australasian Mine Safety Journal
🏗️ 3. Conveyor Collapse Fatality – Coal Operation, Australia (2024)
A conveyor system collapsed and fatally crushed a worker. Investigations revealed inadequate structural support during maintenance.
“Mine equipment collapsed onto and killed a worker.” —Australasian Mine Safety Journal
🧱 4. Moura No.2 Disaster – Queensland (1994)
While older, this tragedy remains one of the most cited examples of systemic failure. 11 miners died in an underground explosion. The Brady Review later concluded:
“Deaths are caused by ‘everyday’ failures, not freak accidents… inadequate training, supervision, and control measures were common.” —Dr Sean Brady, Brady Review
🗣️ Reflections and Quotes from Those Involved or Investigating
- “I didn’t kill him with my hands. But I did with my silence.” — A supervisor reflecting on approving a job without proper permits (used in safety campaigns based on real debriefs)
- “There were no physical barriers to prevent the loader entering the stope… These factors are especially important as a loader’s configuration can limit the driver’s forward visibility.” — Chief Inspector of Mines, WA, after a fatal loader fall into an unbunded stope
- “Deaths are caused by ‘everyday’ failures, not freak accidents.” — Dr Sean Brady, in his review of 47 Queensland mining fatalities since 2000
Ripple Effect Timeline
This shows how one skipped step leads to irreversible change:
- No comms confirmed
- Dozer strikes worker
- Shutdown ordered
- Family notified
- Workmates shaken
- Legal action
- A photo on the memorial table “It wasn’t just a step skipped. It was a life derailed.”
Pledge Zone for Crew
“I will not trade a life for a shortcut.”
🔚 Final Note: The Choice That Changes Everything
In mining, tragedy doesn’t always come from explosions or collapses. Sometimes it’s quieter. Slower. The twist of a key without a pre-start. A radio call that wasn’t made. A shortcut taken because “we’ve done it like this for years.” That’s how lives end—and how regret begins.
Every safety step exists because someone didn’t make it home. And when you choose to skip one, you’re not just breaking a rule. You’re gambling with someone’s father, daughter, mate. Maybe even your own name on the wall.
So this isn’t just another safety reminder.
This is a line in the sand.
Follow the steps. Do it right. Every time.
Because if you think doing it safe is hard—try living with what happens when you don’t.
Women in Mining Be the Change not the Echo!!