❓ Question regarding the date the Department of Mines was first informed about employee concerns regarding emissions from the Wagerup Alumina Refinery's liquor burner, and subsequent actions taken by the Inspector of Mines. The Minister is asked to table relevant correspondence.
AnsweredQoN 2143Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In regard to the Wagerup Alumina Refinery -
(1) On what date was the Department of Mines first informed about employee concerns about emissions from the liquor burner?
(2) How and by whom was the Department informed?
(3) When did the Inspector of Mines first take action on this matter?
(4) When did he first request Alcoa to investigate and take action on the concerns?
(5) Will the Minister table a copy of the Inspector’s initial request to Alcoa and any other correspondence regarding liquor burner emissions during 1996 and 1997 between the Department and Alcoa?
(6) If not, why not?
(1) On what date was the Department of Mines first informed about employee concerns about emissions from the liquor burner?
(2) How and by whom was the Department informed?
(3) When did the Inspector of Mines first take action on this matter?
(4) When did he first request Alcoa to investigate and take action on the concerns?
(5) Will the Minister table a copy of the Inspector’s initial request to Alcoa and any other correspondence regarding liquor burner emissions during 1996 and 1997 between the Department and Alcoa?
(6) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 August 2004
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
53 days
I am advised:
1. A search of Departmental records indicates the first complaint concerning the Liquor Burner Unit was made on 2 May 1997.
2. Employees Inspector B Sherwood was undertaking an inspection of Alcoa Wagerup facilities on 2nd May 1997. During the inspection Mr W Van Der Pal an Alcoa employee made a complaint to Mr Sherwood regarding smells from the Liquor Burner Unit.
3. Immediately following the complaint Mr B Sherwood interviewed members of the workforce with regard to the smell.
4. On 5 May 1997 Mr R Sherwood, District Inspector of Mines wrote a Mine Record Book Entry recommending:
A committee be established to resolve the issues concerning the Liquor Burning Unit
Monitoring of gases and vapours being emitted from the Liquor Burning Building continue on a regular basis.
The cause of eye and respiratory complaints be investigated and appropriate steps taken to eliminate the source of complaints, or steps taken to reduce employee exposure.
5. I have asked the Department to search their records and locate for my tabling relevant correspondence that would ordinarily be available under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1992.
6. Not applicable.
1. A search of Departmental records indicates the first complaint concerning the Liquor Burner Unit was made on 2 May 1997.
2. Employees Inspector B Sherwood was undertaking an inspection of Alcoa Wagerup facilities on 2nd May 1997. During the inspection Mr W Van Der Pal an Alcoa employee made a complaint to Mr Sherwood regarding smells from the Liquor Burner Unit.
3. Immediately following the complaint Mr B Sherwood interviewed members of the workforce with regard to the smell.
4. On 5 May 1997 Mr R Sherwood, District Inspector of Mines wrote a Mine Record Book Entry recommending:
A committee be established to resolve the issues concerning the Liquor Burning Unit
Monitoring of gases and vapours being emitted from the Liquor Burning Building continue on a regular basis.
The cause of eye and respiratory complaints be investigated and appropriate steps taken to eliminate the source of complaints, or steps taken to reduce employee exposure.
5. I have asked the Department to search their records and locate for my tabling relevant correspondence that would ordinarily be available under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1992.
6. Not applicable.
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.