US student to enhance Queensland expertise in mine safety

A graduate student from the Unites States will spend her summer holidays working at Queensland’s mine safety research facility, Mines Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

Mr Wilson said the international interest in working with Queensland on mine safety was a sign of the State’s reputation as a world leader in the field.

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

“But it must continue to be strongly enforced on the ground, mine by mine, worker by worker, as well as through research.

“This student placement reflects the quality and expertise of specialists working at the State Government’s Safety and Mines Testing and Research Station, or SIMTARS.”

Jennifer Massie will join the SIMTARS team for three months to complete practical work experience as part of her Environmental Health/Industrial Hygiene degree at the University of Michigan.

“The United States is home to the largest concentration of occupational hygiene specialists in the world,” Mr Wilson said.

“This placement strengthens SIMTARS’ links with the US and recognises the expertise of our scientists working in Queensland.

“We hope that Jennifer will be the first of many graduate students from the University of Michigan to take up work experience at SIMTARS during their summer break.”

Ms Massie will be working in the Occupational Hygiene, Environment and Chemistry Centre at SIMTARS performing duties such as:

·site workplace health and safety management

·assessment of fibrous and mineral dusts

·chemical and gas analysis and testing

·noise measurement.

Ms Massie is the second US student to join SIMTARS this year, following PhD student Jessica Patterson’s research into changing human behaviour to prevent accidents in mining and quarrying, which began in March.