The Queensland Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham has told the Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference that mining and quarry operators that fail to ensure all coal mine workers participate in the state’s safety reset will be named and shamed in Parliament.

The safety reset, prompted by six fatalities in mining and quarry operations in Queensland in less than a year, requires every worker on every worksite participating in a worksite safety reset session on site specific safety management practices. Queensland mines and quarries are required to implement the safety reset by the end of August, that involves facilitating discussions between management, operational staff and relevant union representatives on risks and safe practice. The Minister has invited workers who have participated in a safety reset session to provide feedback about the safety reset and their views about safety culture at their worksite through the safety reset survey.

The reset had already reached almost half of the State’s 50,000 mining and quarry workforce as of last week, but the Minister told companies they have until the end of the month to ensure every worker on every worksite participates in a worksite safety reset session.

There are reforms underway to strengthen the safety culture in the resources sector following the fatalities in the industry over the past 12 months. A tripartite approach to reforms involve government, industry peak bodies, unions and companies working together on joint safety commitments.

The commitments to the safety reforms in the industry include:

• working together on reforms to strengthen safety culture in the resources sector. This includes sanctions for reckless behaviour and legislative reforms, such as the government’s proposal to actively consider the offence of “industrial manslaughter”.
• an additional $1.68 million for more inspectors in this year’s budget
• another chief inspector of mines.

Three additional mines inspectors and a chief inspector of coal mining have also been recruited.

In responding to fatalities in the industry, there are now two independent reviews underway with reports due for completion before the end of the year. The reviews will report on:

• why mine and quarry workers have died over the past 20 years; how industry can improve and how the mines inspectorate can work better.
• the state’s mining health and safety legislation.

More information about the State’s mine and quarry safety reset can be found here or contact AREEA’s Policy team on [email protected].