❓ A parliamentary question addresses dust abatement concerns at Finucane Island, Port Hedland, specifically regarding a malfunctioning wet scrubber at an iron ore site and its impact on workers and residents. The minister's response indicates limited awareness and referral to the mines safety inspectorate.
AnsweredQoN 566Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question without notice 538 of Tuesday, 18 September 2001 regarding dust abatement at Finucane Island, Port Hedland, and ask again - (1) Is the minister aware, via company referral, that the wet scrubber at the crushing and screening plant at the Finucane Island iron ore site has failed to work efficiently since construction and has not operated at all for approximately four months? (2) If so, what does the minister intend to do to protect the workers and residents of the Port Hedland area from the negative impacts of airborne iron ore dust? (3) Is the minister aware that on 13 September 2001 the wet scrubber referred to was in fact recommissioned, was shut down the following morning after blowing the switchboard, and is now indefinitely shut down? (4) Will the minister table a copy of the e-mail he received yesterday in response to this question? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(1) Is the minister aware, via company referral, that the wet scrubber at the crushing and screening plant at the Finucane Island iron ore site has failed to work efficiently since construction and has not operated at all for approximately four months? (2) If so, what does the minister intend to do to protect the workers and residents of the Port Hedland area from the negative impacts of airborne iron ore dust? (3) Is the minister aware that on 13 September 2001 the wet scrubber referred to was in fact recommissioned, was shut down the following morning after blowing the switchboard, and is now indefinitely shut down? (4) Will the minister table a copy of the e-mail he received yesterday in response to this question? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(2) If so, what does the minister intend to do to protect the workers and residents of the Port Hedland area from the negative impacts of airborne iron ore dust? (3) Is the minister aware that on 13 September 2001 the wet scrubber referred to was in fact recommissioned, was shut down the following morning after blowing the switchboard, and is now indefinitely shut down? (4) Will the minister table a copy of the e-mail he received yesterday in response to this question? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(3) Is the minister aware that on 13 September 2001 the wet scrubber referred to was in fact recommissioned, was shut down the following morning after blowing the switchboard, and is now indefinitely shut down? (4) Will the minister table a copy of the e-mail he received yesterday in response to this question? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(4) Will the minister table a copy of the e-mail he received yesterday in response to this question? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
[See paper No 684.]
(1) Is the minister aware, via company referral, that the wet scrubber at the crushing and screening plant at the Finucane Island iron ore site has failed to work efficiently since construction and has not operated at all for approximately four months? (2) If so, what does the minister intend to do to protect the workers and residents of the Port Hedland area from the negative impacts of airborne iron ore dust? (3) Is the minister aware that on 13 September 2001 the wet scrubber referred to was in fact recommissioned, was shut down the following morning after blowing the switchboard, and is now indefinitely shut down? (4) Will the minister table a copy of the e-mail he received yesterday in response to this question? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(2) If so, what does the minister intend to do to protect the workers and residents of the Port Hedland area from the negative impacts of airborne iron ore dust? (3) Is the minister aware that on 13 September 2001 the wet scrubber referred to was in fact recommissioned, was shut down the following morning after blowing the switchboard, and is now indefinitely shut down? (4) Will the minister table a copy of the e-mail he received yesterday in response to this question? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(3) Is the minister aware that on 13 September 2001 the wet scrubber referred to was in fact recommissioned, was shut down the following morning after blowing the switchboard, and is now indefinitely shut down? (4) Will the minister table a copy of the e-mail he received yesterday in response to this question? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(4) Will the minister table a copy of the e-mail he received yesterday in response to this question? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
I provide this answer on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for State Development. I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(1) I understand that on 18 September 2001 the staff of the minister’s office were provided by BHP Iron Ore with copies of four briefing notes regarding several aspects of dust emissions at the company’s Port Hedland operations. The matter of the wet scrubber at the Finucane Island crushing and screening plant does not appear to be specifically referenced in this material, and the minister has no specific information on either its efficiency or its frequency of operation in the past four months. (2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(2) As previously indicated, the matter has been referred to the mines safety inspectorate for investigation of the occupational health and safety of employees at the site. (3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(3) No. (4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
(4) Yes. I table the document received from BHP Iron Ore. [See paper No 684.]
[See paper No 684.]
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