Mine culture unsafe

Reporting of unsafe conditions at Huntly underground mine is further proof of an inherently dangerous culture, and one that the Department of Labour appears to be incapable of addressing, West Coast/Tasman MP Damien O’Connor says.

“Safety can only be maintained through teamwork and cooperation between mine owners and the men working underground.

“What is needed is a robust set of regulations specific to the situation here, with oversight from experienced professionals who have mana and respect within their respective mines,” Damien O’Connor said.

“Solid Energy and the Department of Labour are surely largely responsible for the culture that puts production and compromise ahead of workplace safety.

“As the largest player in the underground mining industry Solid Energy has consistently pushed its own agenda and, in doing so, sidelined safety.

“Restructuring of the systems at both its opencast and underground mining operations, following a number of incidents in the last 10 years, identified inadequate protections for people employed in hazardous workplaces.

“I am also informed that experienced miners who have taken issue with the Solid Energy over the years have been eventually blacklisted resulting in many moving to safer Australian underground mines.

“As the proportion of inexperienced miners increases, so does the risk in the mines. Amazingly, the job description for the senior inspector in the yet to be set up High Hazards Unit omits any reference to experience in underground coal mining.

“The National Government has so far steadfastly refused to guarantee better safety in underground mines, despite the tragedy at Pike River.

“Miners who go underground every day have every right to be concerned by the safety regime controlled by Solid Energy and overseen by the Department of Labour.

“The Government needs to do more and talk less - urgently,” Damien O’Connor said.