Mining veteran killed at Wambo pit by reversing truck
Drill and blast veteran Paul Phillips was killed by a reversing truck at Wambo United on August 3.
Paul Phillips was known as 'Chook' throughout the mining industry. Phillips was killed at Wambo United pit when struck by a reversing truck.
Phillips was an experienced miner who had worked across the Hunter and Queensland. His son Travis said Phillips took mine safety very seriously.
The Jim Comerford Memorial Wall now includes Phillips's name. It records 1,794 names of those lost in Hunter mines over more than two centuries.
The annual memorial service at Aberdare on Sunday marked the 150th anniversary of a worker-elected safety system in Hunter mines. This system started in 1876 and is seen as the world's oldest continuous worker-elected pit safety system.
The Resource Regulator is investigating the accident.
- August 3
- Death date
- Wambo United near Singleton
- Mine location
- 1,794
- Names on memorial wall
- 1876
- Worker-elected safety system established
Why it mattersIt shows ongoing workplace risks in mining. This happens despite a century and a half of worker-led safety systems and independent checking.
AustraliaMining workers in the Hunter region face continued hazards on the job; the incident is under investigation by NSW's Resource Regulator.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 11 d ago
