❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice reveals complaints of bullying, unsafe practices, and escapeway deficiencies at Norseman Gold Operations, prompting investigations and highlighting regulatory gaps.
AnsweredQoN 2458Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Norseman Gold Operations in Norseman and its management, and ask -
(1) Within the last 36 months has a complaint been recorded, either on the company’s internal reporting system or with the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), concerning bullying, victimisation and intimidation by management of the Harlequin, Bullen or Okay mine?
(2) If yes to (1), what was the nature of each complaint and what was the outcome of each investigation?
(3) With respect to the complaints referred to in (1), what type of evidence, and how much evidence, was collected and presented by DMP inspectors?
(4) With respect to the complaints referred to in (1), how many inspectors from the DMP were involved in each investigation, and how long in hours and days, did they spend on each investigation?
(5) Within the last 36 months has a complaint been recorded, either on the company’s internal reporting system or with the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), concerning any breaches of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1995 and Regulations 1994
including but not limited to unsafe work practices, machinery, explosives, escapeways, fatigue management and ventilation?
(6) If yes to (5), what was the nature of each complaint and what was the outcome of each investigation?
(7) With respect to the complaints referred to in (5), what type of evidence, and how much evidence, was collected, presented by DMP inspectors?
(8) With respect to the complaints referred to in (5), how many inspectors were involved in each investigation and how long in hours and days did they spend on each investigation?
(9) Can the Minister state when was the last inspection of the above referred to operation by an inspector, to physically check and traverse all the escape ways including ladders, to see if an emergency response team fully equipped with open circuit breathing apparatus, or closed circuit breathing apparatus or any apparatus necessary for emergency rescue would be capable of fitting through all escape routes from the surface down to the present working area?
(10) If no (9), why not?
(11) Can an emergency response team fully equipped with open circuit breathing apparatus or closed circuit breathing apparatus or any apparatus necessary for emergency rescue, be physically capable of fitting through all escape routes with equipment functioning from the surface down to the present working area, in the above referred to mine?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
(1) Within the last 36 months has a complaint been recorded, either on the company’s internal reporting system or with the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), concerning bullying, victimisation and intimidation by management of the Harlequin, Bullen or Okay mine?
(2) If yes to (1), what was the nature of each complaint and what was the outcome of each investigation?
(3) With respect to the complaints referred to in (1), what type of evidence, and how much evidence, was collected and presented by DMP inspectors?
(4) With respect to the complaints referred to in (1), how many inspectors from the DMP were involved in each investigation, and how long in hours and days, did they spend on each investigation?
(5) Within the last 36 months has a complaint been recorded, either on the company’s internal reporting system or with the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), concerning any breaches of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1995 and Regulations 1994
including but not limited to unsafe work practices, machinery, explosives, escapeways, fatigue management and ventilation?
(6) If yes to (5), what was the nature of each complaint and what was the outcome of each investigation?
(7) With respect to the complaints referred to in (5), what type of evidence, and how much evidence, was collected, presented by DMP inspectors?
(8) With respect to the complaints referred to in (5), how many inspectors were involved in each investigation and how long in hours and days did they spend on each investigation?
(9) Can the Minister state when was the last inspection of the above referred to operation by an inspector, to physically check and traverse all the escape ways including ladders, to see if an emergency response team fully equipped with open circuit breathing apparatus, or closed circuit breathing apparatus or any apparatus necessary for emergency rescue would be capable of fitting through all escape routes from the surface down to the present working area?
(10) If no (9), why not?
(11) Can an emergency response team fully equipped with open circuit breathing apparatus or closed circuit breathing apparatus or any apparatus necessary for emergency rescue, be physically capable of fitting through all escape routes with equipment functioning from the surface down to the present working area, in the above referred to mine?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
29 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
35 days
(1) Yes
(2) A written complaint which included allegations of bullying, intimidation and harassment in the workplace by mine management was received by the Department of Mines and Petroleum in late June 2009. The matter was investigated by the Senior Inspector of Mines and an Employees Inspector of Mines on the 7 July 2009. Management did not believe bullying was occurring at the mine and thought that the allegations of bullying may have been associated with discipline being carried out.
A copy of the Code of Practice on the Prevention and Management of Violence, Aggression and Bullying in the workplace was given to management by the inspectors. Management was advised that this was the standard to which they must operate.
Prior to receiving the written complaint some allegations including bullying had been made to the Employees Inspectors by the complainant. These concerns were later formalised in the written complaint. The written complaint received was from an employee who subsequently left that employment.
(3) The Senior Inspector of Mines and the Employees Inspector of Mines gathered information from the allegations raised in the written complaint received.
They questioned management on the bullying, intimidation and harassment allegations during their visit to the mine on the 7July 2009.
(4) The Senior Inspector and Employees inspector were involved in the investigations on the 7 July 2009. A total of 25 hours was spent by Inspectors of Mines investigating this matter, consisting of:
07/07/09 J. Boucaut & P. Green 14 hours
14/07/09 J. Boucaut & P. Green 4 hours
Associated general office work
7 hours
25 hours
(5) Yes
(6) The nature of the complaints received were:
- An unplanned breakthrough of headings at Harlequin Mine in August 2008.
This was followed up by an Inspector on site.
- Limited knowledge and experience of a person sitting the Underground Shift Supervisor's examination (received November 2008).
This matter was referred to the Board of Examiners.
- Written complaints alleging;
* Poor state of underground equipment.
* Unsafe work practices being carried out.
* General safety issues including ventilation, housekeeping, fire extinguishers, escapeways, refuelling bays, re-entries after blasting, etc.
(7) Details in the written complaints and photographs provided were used for information purposes. Underground equipment on site was inspected. Underground areas were inspected including travel ways and working places. Other concerns raised in the complaints were forwarded by the Senior Inspector to management in a written letter dated 2 September 2009.
(8) The Senior Inspector, Employees Inspector and Machinery Inspector investigated the complaints on site on 7 July 2009.
The Senior Inspector and Employees Inspector returned to site on 14 July 2009 to further investigate. The Occupational Health Inspector followed up on ventilation issues at the Harlequin Mine on 7 August 2009. The District Inspector followed up on aspects of the complaint at the Bullen Mine on 13 August 2009 during a general inspection. A total of 55 hours was spent by Inspectors investigating these matters as I now detail:
07/07/09 J. Boucaut & P. Green 6 hours
07/07/09 B. Evans 10 hours
14/07/09 J. Boucaut & P. Green 16 hours
Associated general office work 7 hours
07/08/09 T. Siefken 8 hours
13/08/09 A. Holmes
8 hours
55 hours
(9) No
(10) Random sections of escapeways are usually inspected on general inspections of the mine by Inspectors of Mines. As such all escapeways at the mine are not inspected at the one time.
Further to the complaint regarding the OK Escapeway, an Employees Inspector inspected the OK Escapeway ladder from Surface to 5 level on 14 July 2009.
(11) No
(12) During the inspection on the 14 July 2009 tight spots were observed in the OK Escapeway.
There are no specific requirements under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and in Regulations 1995 on this matter.
Ideally all escape routes and ladder ways giving workplace access in a mine should be of sufficient dimensions to permit stretchers and mine rescue team members using breathing apparatus to pass without undue hindrance.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
(2) A written complaint which included allegations of bullying, intimidation and harassment in the workplace by mine management was received by the Department of Mines and Petroleum in late June 2009. The matter was investigated by the Senior Inspector of Mines and an Employees Inspector of Mines on the 7 July 2009. Management did not believe bullying was occurring at the mine and thought that the allegations of bullying may have been associated with discipline being carried out.
A copy of the Code of Practice on the Prevention and Management of Violence, Aggression and Bullying in the workplace was given to management by the inspectors. Management was advised that this was the standard to which they must operate.
Prior to receiving the written complaint some allegations including bullying had been made to the Employees Inspectors by the complainant. These concerns were later formalised in the written complaint. The written complaint received was from an employee who subsequently left that employment.
(3) The Senior Inspector of Mines and the Employees Inspector of Mines gathered information from the allegations raised in the written complaint received.
They questioned management on the bullying, intimidation and harassment allegations during their visit to the mine on the 7July 2009.
(4) The Senior Inspector and Employees inspector were involved in the investigations on the 7 July 2009. A total of 25 hours was spent by Inspectors of Mines investigating this matter, consisting of:
07/07/09 J. Boucaut & P. Green 14 hours
14/07/09 J. Boucaut & P. Green 4 hours
Associated general office work
7 hours
25 hours
(5) Yes
(6) The nature of the complaints received were:
- An unplanned breakthrough of headings at Harlequin Mine in August 2008.
This was followed up by an Inspector on site.
- Limited knowledge and experience of a person sitting the Underground Shift Supervisor's examination (received November 2008).
This matter was referred to the Board of Examiners.
- Written complaints alleging;
* Poor state of underground equipment.
* Unsafe work practices being carried out.
* General safety issues including ventilation, housekeeping, fire extinguishers, escapeways, refuelling bays, re-entries after blasting, etc.
(7) Details in the written complaints and photographs provided were used for information purposes. Underground equipment on site was inspected. Underground areas were inspected including travel ways and working places. Other concerns raised in the complaints were forwarded by the Senior Inspector to management in a written letter dated 2 September 2009.
(8) The Senior Inspector, Employees Inspector and Machinery Inspector investigated the complaints on site on 7 July 2009.
The Senior Inspector and Employees Inspector returned to site on 14 July 2009 to further investigate. The Occupational Health Inspector followed up on ventilation issues at the Harlequin Mine on 7 August 2009. The District Inspector followed up on aspects of the complaint at the Bullen Mine on 13 August 2009 during a general inspection. A total of 55 hours was spent by Inspectors investigating these matters as I now detail:
07/07/09 J. Boucaut & P. Green 6 hours
07/07/09 B. Evans 10 hours
14/07/09 J. Boucaut & P. Green 16 hours
Associated general office work 7 hours
07/08/09 T. Siefken 8 hours
13/08/09 A. Holmes
8 hours
55 hours
(9) No
(10) Random sections of escapeways are usually inspected on general inspections of the mine by Inspectors of Mines. As such all escapeways at the mine are not inspected at the one time.
Further to the complaint regarding the OK Escapeway, an Employees Inspector inspected the OK Escapeway ladder from Surface to 5 level on 14 July 2009.
(11) No
(12) During the inspection on the 14 July 2009 tight spots were observed in the OK Escapeway.
There are no specific requirements under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and in Regulations 1995 on this matter.
Ideally all escape routes and ladder ways giving workplace access in a mine should be of sufficient dimensions to permit stretchers and mine rescue team members using breathing apparatus to pass without undue hindrance.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.