Call for mine site deaths inquiry

LNP spokesman for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last has called for an inquiry into the incidence of fatalities on mine sites. It follows the death of a 51-year-old man on Wednesday on the Oaky Creek mine site near Tieri in Central Queensland. A workmate in his 20s is in a stable condition in Rockhampton Hospital. Main image: Oaky Creek coal stockpile It was the fourth coal mine death this year. In August, a 48-year-old man was killed in a crane roll over. Three weeks later a 56-year-old man died in a vehicle accident. Both happened on the QCoal-owned Byerwen mine site. Burdekin MLA and spokesman for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last. A 17-year-old man died after suffering significant crush injuries on the Saraji mine in January. Related: Worker dead, another injured in Oaky Creek incident An inquiry needed to be a matter of priority, Mr Last said. “We keep having these serious incidents, these fatalities in the mining sector, and there now needs to be a real good, long, hard look at what's going on in terms of why these incidents are occurring,” he said “It needs to be a full and transparent investigation process. That process though, needs to be conducted as a priority. This is not something that can go on for 12 months or two years. “It's critical. Any learnings that come out of it need to be implemented. We need to really get a handle on what's going on in the sector and what's sitting behind this recent spate of fatalities.” He guaranteed the findings would be made public, Mr Last said. “I think it needs to be that transparency. Everyone needs to have confidence, including the workers in the industry, that the recommendations are being implemented, that they're being acted upon, and that actually safety is improving. “I've always said safety must be paramount. Safety must come before profits." A somber mood had settled over his Burdekin electorate, which included Bowen Basin coal mining communities, Mr Last said. “A real sense of sadness in these communities that we've lost yet another life, another miner who hasn't come home from his shift. It really hits these communities hard. “There's a sense of disbelief that we could have yet another fatality so soon after the recent spate of fatalities. It's tough on these communities that they're mining towns. “They certainly want to know that the safety standards are in place, that they're being adhered to and that there's always that constant striving to raise the bar when it comes to mine safety.” The mines inspectorate is on-site working through the circumstances surrounding the accident. It includes members of the miners’ union and the regulator in the form of Resources Safety and Health Queensland.

Call for mine site deaths inquiry

Industry Queensland

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