Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is urging operators to ensure rig stability following an incident of a well-servicing rig falling onto its side at a coal seam gas well in the Western Downs earlier this month.
Petroleum and Gas Chief Inspector Shoena Messner says it was lucky that no one was injured and an investigation into the incident was underway.
“Initial reports suggest the rig fell onto its side after it became unstable during the lifting operation of the blow out preventer onto the transport skid,” Messner says.
This news comes amid two worker deaths that occurred following an explosion at Polymetals Resources (ASX:POL) Endeavor Mine in the Cobar region of New South Wales, as reported.
In Australia, 124 workplace facilities occurred, as of 16 October 2025, as reported by SafeWork Australia.
The nation’s mining sector has reported three workplace fatalities up until this period, ranking the fourth highest fatality rate last year with 11 deaths. The highest ranking industry for fatality rate was the transport, postal, and warehousing industry with 53 deaths last year.
Australia has averaged 191 worker deaths each year over the 2020-2024 period, with the mining industry averaging seven deaths annually.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: RSHQ
