First industry wide survey of mine safety reporting culture released

• Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals Scott Stewart has released an industry wide survey into the state of safety reporting culture in Queensland’s mining industry
• More than 7500 mine workers were surveyed
• It is the first time an industry-wide survey of the safety reporting culture of the industry has been done

The state of safety reporting culture in Queensland’s mining industry was released this week by the Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals Scott Stewart and Interim Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health Andrew Clough at the Curragh and Oaky Creek mines in Central Queensland.

Results from the more than 7500 people that took part showed strengths and opportunities within the resources industry.

The survey aimed to identify strength and opportunity areas in Queensland’s mining industry to achieve a stronger safety reporting culture.

One of the strengths identified was that teams typically look out for each other and support each other to work safely, and frontline leaders encourage teams to take appropriate action if something feels unsafe.

It also identified that mine workers usually report their safety concerns and are encouraged to do so by leaders.

Opportunity areas for improvements identified in the report included making reporting systems clearer and easier to use, improving feedback to workers on the outcomes of incidents, better recognition of positive safety behaviours, and better involvement of frontline workers in safety initiatives.

Quotes attributable to Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart:

“This is an incredibly important piece of work that heard directly from workers, and I welcome its release.

“That’s why I traveled with Interim Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health Andrew Clough to Curragh and Oaky Creek mines to release the survey results directly to resources workers.

“The purpose of the survey is to identify strengths and opportunities in the mining industry to ensure there is a strong safety reporting culture in one of our most important industries.

“There are always more opportunities to improve safety reporting culture which is why this survey is important.

“Safety is my number one priority and we must do everything we can to make sure workers get home safely.”

Quotes attributable to Resources Safety and Health Acting Commissioner Andrew Clough:

“The report establishes a baseline of the safety reporting behaviours exhibited at mine and quarry sites and sets a benchmark for the industry to measure its safety reporting culture against in the future.” 

“The survey was conducted by my office in cooperation with the tripartite Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee and Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee.”

“The report identified a number of opportunity areas for industry and the safety and health advisory committees to target for further research and continuous improvement.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

The survey was conducted by the Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health in cooperation with the Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee and the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee.

Report available here

ENDS