Changes announced to WA mine safety

By Paula Wallace

This came at the same time as Moore’s Department commenced an on-site investigation following a fatality at the Alcoa Wagerup refinery on September 2nd, the sixth mining death this year. The 30 year-old foreman was contracted with TransPacific Industrial Solutions.
“The recent spike in mine site-related fatalities is unacceptable and has contributed to the need for urgent action,” said Moore.
After considering submissions from the Department of Mines and Petroleum, the Government has decided to implement a new regulatory framework for resources safety, incorporating key recommendations from the Kenner Report.
“This is a major shake-up of mine safety in the State,” the Minister said.
Key components of the plan, which was approved by State Cabinet on August 31st and gained final funding approval from Treasury, include:
. Significant additional resources for the Resources Safety Division of the DMP, including more money to increase compliance activities by DMP inspectors
. An industry cost recovery model the details of which will be discussed with industry. New South Wales and Queensland are States which have already adopted cost recovery models
. A new approach to safety management based on evidence and risk, and focused on reducing the likelihood of a serious incident.
The introduction of a cost recovery regime will provide the funding necessary for an appropriately resourced safety regulator.
In the first six months of operation, next year, it is anticipated that additional funding of $7.95million will be available.
State Cabinet has also approved up to an extra 37 full time staff positions available in the same six-month period with up to an additional 35 full time positions in the 12 months following.
Moore envisaged it would take about two years, with the co-operation of industry, to make the necessary legislative and regulatory changes and to establish the inspectorate.
Miners have warned that changes to mine safety in WA must be overseen by a steering group representing industry, unions and the regulator to ensure that safety is maintained during the transition period.
The Union and industry representatives have written to the Government calling on them to immediately establish the Steering Committee.
CFMEU Mining and Energy Union State Secretary Gary Wood warned that the introduction of a new system of hazard management based on risk, required a major structural change, which the industry was not ready to take on.
“The union movement will work with the Government on workers safety, but it cannot be on the basis of a knee jerk Government announcement without industry and union consultation,” he said.
The miners union has asked the Government to take closer notice of the huge body of work developed to date by the National Mine Safety Framework, which has been developed on a tripartite basis involving unions, industry and the regulator.
“If WA, one of the largest mining states follows a different model it will undermine the work of the National Mine Safety Framework which aims to develop consistency in mining safety.” said Wood.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) believes the State Government is moving in the right direction with major changes to mine safety.
CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith said, “CME has been calling for changes to the legislation since 2005 to move towards a risk management approach requiring the adoption of a safety case framework.
“This is a significant change, and will result in WA leading the charge worldwide in terms of implementing such regulation for the mining industry.”
The CME said this is a fundamental move away from the traditional compliance-based approach to a risk management regime.
Howard-Smith said the mining industry had some concerns over the proposal for a cost recovery regime.
“Cost recovery should not just be about increasing the number of staff in the Resources Safety Division and shifting costs onto industry.
“Rather any changes need to be linked to substantial reform of the mine safety regime which will lead to improved safety performance, reduction in risk, efficiency in the delivery of services and appropriate governance arrangements.”

For a special feature on Mine Maintenance & Safety get a copy of the upcoming November/December edition of The Australian Journal of Mining – visit http://www.theajmonline.com.au/mining_magazine_freetrial to register for a free copy.