BHP - Driving safety forward

What is so dangerous about vehicles and their energy while moving? Vehicles are a central part of mining operations, but they also represent one of the most serious hazards. Even at low speeds, their mass and movement generate kinetic energy that can cause devastating outcomes when not properly controlled.

Real-world consequences At BHP, serious vehicle incidents have included: • trucks veering off-road and overturning • vehicles striking fixed structures in low visibility • operators or pedestrians being hit due to blind spots • dozers and excavators going over or partly over edges.

These aren’t rare cases, they are typical examples of how uncontrolled energy leads to harm.

Why controlling energy matters A range of controls have been developed for vehicles, from those that act early to reduce the chance of an incident, through to those that act during a crash to protect people and save lives. Controls built into modern vehicles, particularly those that activate during impact, have already saved many thousands of lives.

The impact of kinetic energy When a vehicle moves, it stores kinetic energy. If that energy is suddenly exchanged with a person (inside or outside a vehicle) - through a collision, rollover, or impact, it becomes damaging energy.

This energy can: • harm people inside vehicles during collision, rollover or impact • strike people nearby • crush infrastructure or equipment.

Interrupt the energy before it causes damage - or reduce it so it can’t.

“ Energy doesn’t have to be high-speed to be fatal. Even slow-moving heavy

vehicles can kill if the energy isn’t controlled.”

What makes vehicular energy dangerous?

If not controlled early, it becomes difficult or impossible to stop.

It’s powerful and often underestimated.

Sudden release Energy becomes dangerous if control is lost.

Damaging energy If not managed, this energy can crush, strike, or overturn with fatal consequences.

Kinetic energy A moving vehicle has energy based on its speed and weight.

It builds quickly - even at low speeds, when size and mass is large.

Effective controls manage or interrupt this energy before it causes fatal harm.

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