The Mining and Energy Union has accused Rio Tinto of seriously downplaying the risks posed by this week's automated train crash in the Pilbara, including its concerns about spilled diesel contaminating water supplies.
The union said the derailment occurred due to a "catastrophic failure of safety systems" and could have killed workers.The Mining and Energy Union says a "catastrophic failure of safety systems" triggered the crash of a Rio Tinto train in Western Australia, with the group accusing the mining giant of putting workers lives at risk and potentially contaminating the region's drinking water.
A Rio Tinto spokesperson said no people were in the vicinity and no one was injured, but the union later said five staff were further down the line working on stationary equipment, which had broken down. The union said it believed there was a series of errors made by Rio Tinto's train controllers and, because the train was fully autonomous, no driver was on board to realise the transmission error and halt it.
It was understood the rail line had since been cleared and operations would resume after repairs were conducted on the track.The union also raised concerns about spilled diesel from the trains contaminating the Harding River catchment, which was the main source of drinking water for the towns of Dampier, Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham and Point Samson.
Derail Mining Accident Crash Train Rio Tinto Automated Train Driverless Train Pilbara
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rio Tinto autonomous train derailment left five workers shaken as they escaped potential harm, union saysWhile Rio Tinto says no staff were in the vicinity, the Mining and Energy Union says five staff were working on wagons directly in the self-driving train's path.
Read more »
Automated Rio Tinto iron ore train derails in WAThe train, operated by mining giant Rio Tinto, crashed just after midnight about 80 kilometres from Karratha.
Read more »
How Rio Tinto executives can get paid more this yearRio Tinto has made a step-change to executive remuneration. Bonus payments could increase materially, but not for the usual reasons.
Read more »
15 minutes with the BOSS podcast: What happens when Rio Tinto’s Kellie Parker gets crankyKellie Parker, Rio Tinto’s Australian bosses, discusses what happens when she gets tired, why she likes puzzles and why she continually tracks her emotions.
Read more »
Autonomous train carrying iron ore derails in remote WAAn autonomous train carrying iron ore has crashed and derailed in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
Read more »
Police search for seafearer missing from bulk carrier moored at Cape Lambert in WA's PilbaraPolice believe a 40-year-old man jumped from a carrier moored at Cape Lambert, before swimming ashore.
Read more »