❓ Hon Jim Scott follows up on a 1996 gassing incident at the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter, questioning the Department of Minerals and Energy's (DME) investigation and seeking documentation. The Minister's response reveals limited inquiry.
AnsweredQoN 615Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In Question on Notice No. 778 of 2000, I asked the former Minister for Mines if Western Mines reported the gassing accident at the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter on July 29 1996 to the Department of Minerals and Energy. Part of the Minister’s response was, ‘The incident was not reported to the District Inspector, so there is no official documentation. Inquiries by the Department of Minerals and Energy have revealed that the incident mentioned was investigated by WMC Resources and was determined to have involved steam from a slag granulating process and not toxic gas or fumes. As the person who reported the incident did not lose time as a result of an injury, the incident was not ‘reportable’ in terms of the Act’. I now ask -
(1) Did the DME interview any workers at the site?
(2) Exactly what enquires did the DME make into the incident and when did it undertake the enquires?
(3) Will the Minister table a copy of the inquiry?
(1) Did the DME interview any workers at the site?
(2) Exactly what enquires did the DME make into the incident and when did it undertake the enquires?
(3) Will the Minister table a copy of the inquiry?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 June 2002
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for State Development
Response time
42 days
1. No. 2. The manager of the WMC Resources Ltd Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter was contacted during the week of 18 – 24 September 2000 and verbal inquiries were made of him regarding the incident on 29 July 1996. The manager responded in writing to the inquiry indicating the information provided in response to Question 778 of Wednesday 6 September 2000. 3. I table the response referred to in the answer to Part (2). See tabled paper.
2. The manager of the WMC Resources Ltd Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter was contacted during the week of 18 – 24 September 2000 and verbal inquiries were made of him regarding the incident on 29 July 1996. The manager responded in writing to the inquiry indicating the information provided in response to Question 778 of Wednesday 6 September 2000. 3. I table the response referred to in the answer to Part (2). See tabled paper.
3. I table the response referred to in the answer to Part (2). See tabled paper.
2. The manager of the WMC Resources Ltd Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter was contacted during the week of 18 – 24 September 2000 and verbal inquiries were made of him regarding the incident on 29 July 1996. The manager responded in writing to the inquiry indicating the information provided in response to Question 778 of Wednesday 6 September 2000. 3. I table the response referred to in the answer to Part (2). See tabled paper.
3. I table the response referred to in the answer to Part (2). See tabled paper.
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