❓ A parliamentary question seeks information on maintenance timelines at the BHP Billiton DRI plant in Hedland, specifically comparing timelines under different contractors and potential safety implications. The Minister declines to answer pending the outcome of ongoing investigations into a tragic accident at the plant.
AnsweredQoN 2076Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to safety issues at the BHP Billiton DRI plant in Hedland, I ask -
(1) What was the contractual time-line for the maintenance of a DRI train and the cool down period of the reactors during the period of the previous Transfield contract?
(2) What was the contractual time-line for the maintenance of a DRI train and the cool down period of the reactors during the period of the current Blastworks contract?
(3) In relation to (1) and (2), if there are any inconsistencies in these time-lines was the Minister’s Department aware of these inconsistencies?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) In relation to (1) and (2), if there are any inconsistencies in these time-lines did the Minister’s Department consider if there were any occupational and safety issues associated with these inconsistencies?
(1) What was the contractual time-line for the maintenance of a DRI train and the cool down period of the reactors during the period of the previous Transfield contract?
(2) What was the contractual time-line for the maintenance of a DRI train and the cool down period of the reactors during the period of the current Blastworks contract?
(3) In relation to (1) and (2), if there are any inconsistencies in these time-lines was the Minister’s Department aware of these inconsistencies?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) In relation to (1) and (2), if there are any inconsistencies in these time-lines did the Minister’s Department consider if there were any occupational and safety issues associated with these inconsistencies?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
30 June 2004
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
26 days
(1)-(5) As the Hon. Member will be aware, the tragic accident at this plant is being investigated in accordance with the Mines Safety and Inspection Act. In addition, a direction has been made under Section 45 of that Act for the company to engage a team of experts to carry out specific technical investigations into the incident. In addition, the Minister for State Development has commissioned an independent Inquiry, conducted by Barrister Mark Ritter, into the occupational health and safety systems and practices on BHP Billiton iron ore sites in Western Australia. The Minister does not consider it appropriate to respond to detailed questions related to this and the other two tragic accidents until I have the findings of the separate investigations and the inquiry presented to me.
As the Hon. Member will be aware, the tragic accident at this plant is being investigated in accordance with the Mines Safety and Inspection Act. In addition, a direction has been made under Section 45 of that Act for the company to engage a team of experts to carry out specific technical investigations into the incident. In addition, the Minister for State Development has commissioned an independent Inquiry, conducted by Barrister Mark Ritter, into the occupational health and safety systems and practices on BHP Billiton iron ore sites in Western Australia. The Minister does not consider it appropriate to respond to detailed questions related to this and the other two tragic accidents until I have the findings of the separate investigations and the inquiry presented to me.
In addition, the Minister for State Development has commissioned an independent Inquiry, conducted by Barrister Mark Ritter, into the occupational health and safety systems and practices on BHP Billiton iron ore sites in Western Australia. The Minister does not consider it appropriate to respond to detailed questions related to this and the other two tragic accidents until I have the findings of the separate investigations and the inquiry presented to me.
The Minister does not consider it appropriate to respond to detailed questions related to this and the other two tragic accidents until I have the findings of the separate investigations and the inquiry presented to me.
As the Hon. Member will be aware, the tragic accident at this plant is being investigated in accordance with the Mines Safety and Inspection Act. In addition, a direction has been made under Section 45 of that Act for the company to engage a team of experts to carry out specific technical investigations into the incident. In addition, the Minister for State Development has commissioned an independent Inquiry, conducted by Barrister Mark Ritter, into the occupational health and safety systems and practices on BHP Billiton iron ore sites in Western Australia. The Minister does not consider it appropriate to respond to detailed questions related to this and the other two tragic accidents until I have the findings of the separate investigations and the inquiry presented to me.
In addition, the Minister for State Development has commissioned an independent Inquiry, conducted by Barrister Mark Ritter, into the occupational health and safety systems and practices on BHP Billiton iron ore sites in Western Australia. The Minister does not consider it appropriate to respond to detailed questions related to this and the other two tragic accidents until I have the findings of the separate investigations and the inquiry presented to me.
The Minister does not consider it appropriate to respond to detailed questions related to this and the other two tragic accidents until I have the findings of the separate investigations and the inquiry presented to me.
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