Hazards and guides Motor vehicle accidents cause many exploration fatalities and vehicle travel produces numerous other injuries. The most severe and obvious vehicle accidents are overturning and head-on collisions. Both occur because of some combination of poor training, driver inattention, poor visibility, excessive speed, rough roads and poor vehicle maintenance.
Severe injuries also occur from vibration or poor seating causing longterm back injuries, particularly when driving extensively over rough roads or striking holes or rocks. Other and often less severe injuries involve stationary vehicles, and arise during jacking, winching or loading operations, with some injuries arising from trailer hitching or unloading.
High vehicles such as drill rigs need to be operated with caution near power lines and electrified rail crossings. Many rural power lines on private land do not display warning signs before road crossings. Each company should establish its own guides for safe operation of vehicles. All employees should be properly trained to drive the vehicles that they are expected to drive, and in the driving conditions they are likely to encounter. This applies to standard, off-highway and heavy vehicles. A maintenance routine at least equivalent to manufacturer’s standards should be developed for each vehicle.
The following points are suggested for inclusion in vehicle and travelling safety guides:
• Vehicles should be driven only by those with a valid licence for that type of vehicle.
• All employees should pass a standard training program before being permitted to drive four-wheel drive vehicles either on or off road. Periodic refresher courses should be held as required and for driver rehabilitation after an accident.
• Vehicles should always be driven sensibly, with consideration to the comfort and safety of others.
• Drivers must obey all traffic regulations and specific company rules.
Drive according to road conditions, or serious accidents can result
• Alcohol or drugs must not be used before or during driving.
• All occupants must wear properly fastened seatbelts while a vehicle is moving.
Passengers must be properly seated within the cabin of the vehicle. No one should be riding on the back of a utility.
• Vehicles must be loaded safely; overloading is prohibited.
• ‘Walkman’ type tape or CD players, hand-held mobile phones or radios should not be used while driving.
• Tyres should be inspected for stakes and other weaknesses, which may cause a blow-out at high speed, after each episode of off-road driving. Special and lower than standard speed limits may apply to vehicles fitted with off-road tyres.
• The mechanical condition of each vehicle should be checked by a responsible person daily and weekly in accordance with a specific check list, and faults recorded.
• All employees should be instructed in and practise tasks such as jacking, puncture repairs (particularly with split rim wheels) and winching in accordance with standard work procedures.
Safety precautions
The following are some standard precautions that should be taken by all drivers and included in the training program:
• Drive at a speed to suit prevailing conditions and that will allow the vehicle to be stopped safely. The poor visibility/high speed/rough road combination of hazards must be avoided.
• Proceed slowly through dust clouds, and be ready to avoid cattle or other animals and vehicles which may suddenly appear.
• Do not attempt to pass a vehicle in a cloud of dust. A vehicle is easier to see in areas of poor visibility (dust, smoke, fog, rain, twilight) if headlights are on.
• Plan long distance travel by road carefully; try to avoid travel at night.
• Rest frequently on a long trip to avoid travel fatigue; include a ‘driver reviver’ stop at least every two hours.
• Do not travel closer to the vehicle ahead than the driver’s reaction time, braking distance and prevailing conditions allow.
• Get out of the vehicle and inspect any gully, creek crossing or rocky area that looks dangerous or difficult to cross.
• Take extra care when entering built-up areas after long periods of travel at high speed because speed is difficult to judge.
Vehicle accidents
The following procedures are recommended for any person involved in a motor vehicle accident, or any person who wishes to help at an accident:
• Make the scene of the accident safe so that no more injuries occur.
• See who is injured and assist them as best you can.
• Call for help on your mobile radio or phone or, if that is not possible, send for help.
• Advise the police of any accident in which a person is injured.
• Collect information such as names and addresses of injured persons and witnesses, time, date and location, description of accident.
Mechanical breakdowns
Mechanical problems can be minimised by sensible driving habits, frequent inspections and regular maintenance. A breakdown on a field trip can compromise safety. Thorough checks of steering and braking systems are recommended after each field trip, with the vehicle on a hoist or ramp. Any faults should be recorded and repaired, preferably by a qualified mechanic, as soon as they are recognised.
Points for recommended practice include the the following:
• Establish daily and weekly mechanical and equipment check lists, which must be carried out by the person in charge of the vehicle. Items in the daily check list include
– tyres for pressure and condition
– radiator, engine oil, steering, brake and clutch fluid levels
– checks for leaks of any fluids
– lights, batteries and electrical connections
– satellite phones, two-way radio and emergency equipment
– air cleaners, radiator fins
– underbody.
Items in the weekly check list should include
– tyres, wheels, wheel nuts, etc. including spares
– all tools, breakdown and emergency equipment
– brakes, clutch, steering, fan/alternator belts, etc.
• Ensure that all necessary spare parts, such as extra spare wheel, fuses, globes, hoses, oil, coolant and belts are available when travelling off-road or long distances.
• Change mechanical and electrical systems only if qualified to do so.
• Check the underside of the vehicle during and at the end of each period of bush driving. When the vehicle arrives at the first stretch of graded road, remove any grass, sticks or other items stuck in tyres or wheels, and check for damage.
Vehicle equipment
When travelling long distances or off-highway it is important that the vehicle is equipped to cope with emergencies. Emergencies could arise from accidents, breakdowns, being trapped by floods or fires, or becoming bogged in mud or sand. In extreme conditions these emergencies could be life-threatening. A list of all standard safety and emergency equipment to be carried on board should be fitted to each field vehicle.
Recommended equipment, depending upon the intended trip, includes:
• essential vehicle spare parts
• jacks, chocks, fire extinguisher, tools to suit the vehicle
• satellite phones, two-way radios with agreed contact schedules
• dual batteries, long-range fuel tanks or spare fuel suitably stored
• jumper leads of adequate capacity
• winches, shovels, picks, axes, ropes and other recovery equipment
• emergency signalling equipment, survival kits, first aid kits
• adequate supplies of food, water and fuel
• current edition maps or air photos
• spare ignition keys.