Coal miners have pointed the finger at casualisation of the workforce as a major mine safety risk factor, according to a union-run survey.

The results from the survey of more than 1000 Queensland coal miners come as the state’s mine safety reset enters its second week. 

Nearly nine in 10 coal miners said that casualisation of jobs at their work site has affected safety.

About four in 10 survey respondents said they feared reprisals if they spoke up about safety, increasing to six in ten for casual mineworkers. 

CFMEU Queensland District President Stephen Smyth said many mineworkers had experienced or witnessed retaliatory action over raising safety concerns, including casual workers finding they were suddenly no longer required.

“No-one is told that the reason they’ve been sacked or disciplined is for raising a concern over safety – but workers can see what is happening,” he said.

“They are labelled as whingers and moved on or otherwise victimised. We need 100 per cent of mineworkers to feel confident they can report safety issues without fear. “

One coal miner said the best way to improve safety was:  “Give permanent shirts so people are not as stressed with the uncertainty of being sacked. They will have their minds on task, therefore improving safety and people won’t be showing up to work sick, tired and unfit for work just so they don’t miss a day’s pay.” 

Eight in 10 workers nominated production being valued above safety as a top concern, with six in 10 saying they didn’t believe safety was the top priority for site managers, the CFMEU said. 

“There’s no room for complacency,” Mr Smyth said.

“It’s clear that workers at the coal face don’t believe companies are making safety their number one priority – operators must take this opportunity to show they are committed to change.”