Safety system and method for protecting against a hazard of drill rod failure in a drilled rock bore

A safety system for protecting against a hazard of a drill rod failure in a drilled rock bore above horizontal, namely a hazard posed by a broken drill rod section lodged within the bore, the safety system comprising:

• a plug member for insertion into a proximal end region of the bore, the plug member being configured to be fixed within the proximal end region of the bore to at least partially plug or block the proximal end region of the bore;
• and
• an impact reduction member comprising a tapered portion for reducing an impact of the broken drill rod section on the plug member, wherein the impact reduction member is configured to be located within the proximal end region of the bore and to extend within the bore above the plug member to be impacted or struck by the broken drill rod section falling within the bore, wherein the tapered portion is configured to allow movement of the impact reduction member relative to the plug member within the proximal end region of the bore when impacted or struck by the falling drill rod section for effecting a gradual or extended transfer of impact loading imparted from the falling drill rod section to the plug member.