State moves ahead with reform to improve mining safety

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said the new regulations were part of a reform process that began in November.
“The Government’s Reform and Development at Resources Safety (RADARS) strategy is an initiative which addresses how the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s (DMP) resources safety division will work with the resources industry,” Moore said.
“There have been a number of reviews into mining safety in WA, including the Kenner Review in 2009, which have noted issues such as the State’s low inspector to employee ratio,” he said.
The Government has approved the creation of up to 26 additional mines inspector positions. In order to fund these positions and adequately resource them with support staff positions and other initiatives within the DMP, the Government has introduced the Mines Safety Levy.
The Minister said despite some criticism from industry, the levy was important to ensure the Government had the resources to work with industry to lift safety standards.
“The growth in WA’s mining industry has stretched DMP’s resources to the limit,” he said.
“It is the State’s position that enhanced safety services should be funded by the mining industry as the direct recipient of those services.”
The new mines safety levy regulations set out details such as how the levy will be charged to industry, who is liable to pay, how it will be assessed and the payment process.
The mines safety levy will raise about $8million in 2009-10 and about $18million in 2010-11.
It is expected that about $35million will be raised in 2011-12 for safety regulation across all the industry sectors - including onshore oil and gas, pipelines, mining exploration, dangerous goods, major hazard facilities, explosives and counter-terrorism measures.
The Minister said it was vital employees, businesses and Government worked together to effect the necessary cultural change which would reduce workplace injuries and deaths.
“Consultation, communication and participation are paramount to making effective and permanent change,” he said.
“Under the RADARS strategy, the emphasis will be on expanding the role of risk management rather than relying on detailed prescription for resources safety regulation.
“The risk-based approach puts the onus on operators to demonstrate they understand the hazards and risks of their workplaces and have implemented the necessary control measures.
“This will help ensure the specific safety needs of individual operations are addressed, rather than trying to use a one size fits all approach.”
Moore said the mining sector would be the priority in the phased implementation of RADARS.