❓ A parliamentary question regarding safety practices at the Goldfields St Ives Argo mine, specifically concerning working at heights and allegations of bullying and intimidation related to safety compliance. The response indicates a review of safety procedures following an incident, but denies knowledge of the alleged bullying.
AnsweredQoN 2280Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Goldfields St Ives Argo mine and associated operations located near Kambalda, and ask -
(1) Can the Minister confirm that a policy was released by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) requiring all persons working at heights, specifically from baskets on integrated tool carriers, to be supplied with, and trained in the appropriate use of, fall arrest equipment and appropriate anchor points in these baskets?
(2) If yes to (1), on what date was this policy released by the DMP?
(3) If no to (1), what specifically was released by DMP in relation to working at heights?
(4) Was there a time frame set for all mining companies and contractors to comply with the policy referred to in (1)?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Has this policy referred to in (1), been enforced across the board in all underground mines, and specifically at the Argo mine at the St Ives Operations owned and managed by Goldfields in which GBF are the mining contractors?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Is it true that management at the abovementioned operations have used bullying, intimidation and victimisation towards the workforce, specifically in relation to signing off on the requirements of the policy referred to in (1), before appropriate anchor points and training were made available?
(9) If no to (8), -
(a) why is it not true; and
(b) was this ever investigated?
(10) If yes to (8), how has this matter been dealt with by the site manager?
(11) Is it true that the foreman Mr Peter Daly and the safety and training officer Shane Watts have used bullying, intimidation and victimisation as a means to keep employees from raising concerns about occupational health and safety at the above mentioned operations?
(12) If no to (11), what is correct information?
(13) If yes to (11), how has this matter been dealt with by the site manager?
(14) Is it true that the management of Goldfields were made aware that bullying, victimisation and intimidation had been employed by persons at GBF at the above mentioned operations as a means of keeping employees from raising concerns about occupational health and safety?
(15) If no to (12), how was this investigated and resolved?
(1) Can the Minister confirm that a policy was released by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) requiring all persons working at heights, specifically from baskets on integrated tool carriers, to be supplied with, and trained in the appropriate use of, fall arrest equipment and appropriate anchor points in these baskets?
(2) If yes to (1), on what date was this policy released by the DMP?
(3) If no to (1), what specifically was released by DMP in relation to working at heights?
(4) Was there a time frame set for all mining companies and contractors to comply with the policy referred to in (1)?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Has this policy referred to in (1), been enforced across the board in all underground mines, and specifically at the Argo mine at the St Ives Operations owned and managed by Goldfields in which GBF are the mining contractors?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Is it true that management at the abovementioned operations have used bullying, intimidation and victimisation towards the workforce, specifically in relation to signing off on the requirements of the policy referred to in (1), before appropriate anchor points and training were made available?
(9) If no to (8), -
(a) why is it not true; and
(b) was this ever investigated?
(10) If yes to (8), how has this matter been dealt with by the site manager?
(11) Is it true that the foreman Mr Peter Daly and the safety and training officer Shane Watts have used bullying, intimidation and victimisation as a means to keep employees from raising concerns about occupational health and safety at the above mentioned operations?
(12) If no to (11), what is correct information?
(13) If yes to (11), how has this matter been dealt with by the site manager?
(14) Is it true that the management of Goldfields were made aware that bullying, victimisation and intimidation had been employed by persons at GBF at the above mentioned operations as a means of keeping employees from raising concerns about occupational health and safety?
(15) If no to (12), how was this investigated and resolved?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 May 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
35 days
1-2 On 4 December 2009 the Acting State mining engineer issued Mines Safety Significant Incident Report No. 158 entitled 'Fall from work basket in an underground decline'. This was a result of a serious injury sustained when an employee fell from an underground work basket.
3. Not applicable.
4-5 No time frame was set as the issue relates to Mines Safety and Inspection Regulation 4.5.
6-7 The risk reduction measures outlined in Mines Safety Significant Incident Report No. 158 have been promoted in a consistent manner throughout the Goldfields region.
8. The Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources Safety Division (RSD) has not been made aware of employees being bullied, intimidated or victimised to comply with the matters raised in Mines Safety Significant Incident Report No. 158.
9-10 During an inspection of the Argo mine it was reported that employees at Argo had been directed to sign the new instruction record book prior to an engineering assessment and training being completed. Apparently the employees were to be required to wear a harness and connect onto the work basket railing as an intermediate measure. This error was corrected and it is understood that the supervisor involved had not been fully briefed by management and was somewhat overzealous in his desire to improve the safety standards at the site. It is standard practice on many mines in the State for employees to sign for new safety instructions when issued.
11-13 No reports or complaints of bullying have been received by the RSD regarding bullying by the persons mentioned aimed at preventing employees from raising safety concerns.
14 The Department has no information on file regarding this matter.
15. The Department has no information on this matter.
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3. Not applicable.
4-5 No time frame was set as the issue relates to Mines Safety and Inspection Regulation 4.5.
6-7 The risk reduction measures outlined in Mines Safety Significant Incident Report No. 158 have been promoted in a consistent manner throughout the Goldfields region.
8. The Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources Safety Division (RSD) has not been made aware of employees being bullied, intimidated or victimised to comply with the matters raised in Mines Safety Significant Incident Report No. 158.
9-10 During an inspection of the Argo mine it was reported that employees at Argo had been directed to sign the new instruction record book prior to an engineering assessment and training being completed. Apparently the employees were to be required to wear a harness and connect onto the work basket railing as an intermediate measure. This error was corrected and it is understood that the supervisor involved had not been fully briefed by management and was somewhat overzealous in his desire to improve the safety standards at the site. It is standard practice on many mines in the State for employees to sign for new safety instructions when issued.
11-13 No reports or complaints of bullying have been received by the RSD regarding bullying by the persons mentioned aimed at preventing employees from raising safety concerns.
14 The Department has no information on file regarding this matter.
15. The Department has no information on this matter.
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
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