An inquest is to be held into the death of miner Allan John Houston, 49, who died when the bulldozer he was operating rolled down an embankment and landed upside down in mud on December 31, 2018, at Saraji mine in central Queensland.
The open-pit coal mine is one of Queensland’s largest. It is located 25 kilometres from Dysart, and is owned by BMA (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance).
Mr Houston lived in Gracemere, on the outskirts of Rockhampton, and was the father of a 23-year-old daughter at the time of his death.
He began his career at Blackwater Mine in 1988 as an apprentice boilermaker, following in his father Winston’s footsteps in the industry.
Allan Houston is survived by his daughter, Cassidy. (Supplied: BHP)
The inquest dates were set down following the finalisation of criminal proceedings last year.
In relation to the death, mine operator BMA was charged with one count of fail to discharge health and safety obligations, causing death or grievous bodily harm, and one count of fail to discharge health and safety obligations – otherwise.Â
No evidence could be offered for the first charge and the company pleaded guilty to the second charge.
It was fined $78,000 in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 9, 2024.Â
No conviction was recorded.
A second pre-inquest conference held in Brisbane on December 11 determined details of the death and what the inquest would focus on.
A counsel assist opening statement provided to the ABC stated the circumstances leading up to the fatal incident.
According to the document, Mr Houston was working alongside two other dozer operators, moving material away from the high wall and pushing it across the bench towards the edge.
About 10:25pm, five minutes before their agreed meal break time, Mr Houston was driving towards “the park-up area when he made a sudden change of direction”, driving over the edge into the pit below, falling approximately 17 metres, the statement explained.
The bulldozer, with Mr Houston inside, landed upside down in a pool of mud and water.
Emergency crews took several hours to turn over the bulldozer, and Mr Houston was found inside the cabin, with his seatbelt on, deceased.
The inquest has been set down for January and April 2026 in Brisbane, with about 30 witnesses called to give evidence.
The inquest documents state it will focus on the management and mechanical servicing of the bulldozer, how the risks were managed at the time, how they are now and in the future, and whether adequate policies and training were in place.
It will also look at the technology and safety features of plant equipment at the Saraji mine site, whether the bulldozer was equipped properly at the time, and if the communications systems for staff members and first aid responders were adequate.
The inquest will also make recommendations for any preventative changes to equipment, procedures or policies to reduce the likelihood of deaths in similar circumstances.