The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has issued a safety alert after a worker received fatal injuries during a routine repair procedure on a longwall shearer.
According to the DPI, a longwall crew was replacing a broken drive shaft on the ranging arm of a shearer when the drive motor rotated and ejected the shaft.
A coupling housing was then flung from the end of the rotating shaft and struck a worker who later died from his injuries.
A detailed investigation is currently underway.
The DPI is urging mine operators to ensure safety maintenance procedures are in place to minimise the risk of accidents.
Management should also ensure employees are trained to understand the safety requirements of tasks at hand.
Further details will be released as the investigation continues.
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