Joint communique - safety

from

the Queensland Government; the Queensland Resources Council; Cement, Concrete and Aggregates Australia; CFMMEU and the AWU

A safe and healthy work environment for everyone working on mine and quarrying sites across Queensland is our shared priority.

Any loss of life or serious injury in mines and quarries is unacceptable.

We re-commit today to work collectively toward a Queensland resources industry free of injury and fatality.

We note the appointment of three additional mines inspectors and another chief inspector.

Two independent reviews are now underway into:

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

We will participate fully in the reviews and work co-operatively on their recommendations.  

Queensland mines and quarries will implement a safety reset by the end of August for discussions between management, operational staff and relevant union representatives on risks and safe practice. We acknowledge that these resets will be tailored to the individual sites and their various rostering and operational requirements. These resets must cover all workers. The AWU and the CFMMEU will have discussions with their members on any other matters that need to be raised during this process.

We commit further to working together:

• to convene a safety forum as part of the annual Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference on the Gold Coast (18-21 August)
• 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”, which exists in other industry sectors
• sharing progress on the issues identified in this forum today.

[ENDS]

Media inquiries:

Dr Lynham: Jan Martin 0439 341 314

Queensland Resources Council: Kylie Barron 0438 493 114

CFMMEU: Steve Smyth 0417 897 845

Australian Workers Union: Victoria Newton 0418 153 998

CCAA: Aaron Johnstone 0439 955 020