Mines Inspectorate to reflect modern era of mining

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today that the Mines Inspectorate was being revitalised to reflect a new modern era of mining in Queensland.

Minister Wilson said a national recruitment drive had swung into action to attract skilled mines inspectors and safety and health specialists to Queensland.

“We want the best people and they will reap the benefits of a better career path backed up by better training and remuneration.

“This is about bringing on the next generation of mines inspectors,” Mr Wilson said.

“The Inspectorate will be reinvigorated under a restructure. Already some senior inspector positions have been taken out of head office and transferred to regional Queensland.

“We’re moving officers out from behind their desks and getting them out into the field.

“A number of occupational health and safety officers have also been appointed to the Mines Inspectorate in the regions,” he said.

The Minister also flagged proposed changes to nine Acts when he introduced the Mining and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 into State Parliament in August.

“The changes are mainly operational and they set out to streamline provisions in all of the Acts to reflect a new, modern era of mining.

Minister Wilson said the resources boom was a magnet for jobs and job security.

“By investing in the mining industry, we’re investing in workers at the very coal face. We’re investing in their future,” Mr Wilson said.

The Minister said extra funds of $3 million over the next four years would be injected into important safety initiatives.

“The additional funding will help finalise recommendations from the Review of the Queensland Mines Inspectorate,” he said.

The Minister said 41 out of the 42 recommendations in the latest review had been implemented.

“Legislative changes will be need to be made to four of those recommendations and these are currently being considered by the Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Council,” he said.

Amendments to the legislation are expected to be introduced next year.

Mr Wilson said the introduction of an Advanced Diploma in Workplace Inspection for safety and health inspectors would strengthen inspection services.

“The new Diploma course is expected to start next year. It will be open to all Mines Inspectors and will build on their skills base,” he said.

“These changes are exciting for the mining industry. Mines Inspectors now have a career path to match the new training opportunities.

“And there’s a new team approach to the way in which inspections are carried out. They’re taking a whole-of-site approach to inspections. Instead of inspecting part of a site on a single issue, they inspect the whole site across a range of issues.

“Queensland has one of the best mine safety records in the world and the best mines safety legislation in Australia,” Mr Wilson said.

“But it must continue to be enforced from the ground up - mine by mine, employer by employer, worker by worker,” he said.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819