❓ A parliamentary question regarding health and safety concerns at Norseman Gold Operations is met with resistance from the Minister, citing excessive time consumption for previous similar inquiries and advocating for direct worker-management consultation. The Minister offers a briefing instead of detailed documentation.
AnsweredQoN 6279Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Norseman Gold Operations including the Harlequin Mine, Bullen Mine, Okay Mine and North Royal Mine, and ask —
(1) Have any written communications, directions or concerns in relation to health and safety under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and
Regulations 1995
been issued by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) for the abovementioned operations regarding any issues in the years —
(a) 2010;
(b) 2011; and
(c) 2012?
(2) If yes to (1), what specifically were the written communications, directions or concerns raised?
(3) Will the Minister table copies of all written communications, work directions, mines record book entries, stop work orders, improvement notices and prohibition notices for the abovementioned operations in the years —
(a) 2010;
(b) 2011; and
(c) 2012?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(1) Have any written communications, directions or concerns in relation to health and safety under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and
Regulations 1995
been issued by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) for the abovementioned operations regarding any issues in the years —
(a) 2010;
(b) 2011; and
(c) 2012?
(2) If yes to (1), what specifically were the written communications, directions or concerns raised?
(3) Will the Minister table copies of all written communications, work directions, mines record book entries, stop work orders, improvement notices and prohibition notices for the abovementioned operations in the years —
(a) 2010;
(b) 2011; and
(c) 2012?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 November 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
27 days
(1)(a)-(c) Yes.
(2)-(4) During May and June 2010, Mines Safety Inspectors in the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) spent over 400 hours preparing answers to many scores of Parliamentary Questions, most of 15 to 20 parts, relating to numerous alleged safety and health issues on specific mine sites, including those referred to by the Member in this question, and allegations of bullying on some of those sites. Unfortunately, this required them to remain in their offices for extended periods, and absent from their normal duties inspecting mine sites in the field.
In this context I would emphasise that the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
prescribes clear procedures for the reporting by workers to higher authorities, and the resolving, of the types of issues mentioned above. Furthermore, I am informed that it has previously been agreed in consultation between DMP, Unions WA and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy that a key factor in improving safety and health on mine sites is the promotion of "coal-face" consultation directly between workers and management.
In view of the foregoing, I am not prepared to allow DMP to again consume an inordinate amount of inspectorate and staff time in preparing answers to the Member's latest question. However, given the obvious interest held by some Members in these matters, I would be happy to arrange for DMP to provide those Members with a briefing on any matters of concern that they may have in respect of any particular mine site.
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(2)-(4) During May and June 2010, Mines Safety Inspectors in the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) spent over 400 hours preparing answers to many scores of Parliamentary Questions, most of 15 to 20 parts, relating to numerous alleged safety and health issues on specific mine sites, including those referred to by the Member in this question, and allegations of bullying on some of those sites. Unfortunately, this required them to remain in their offices for extended periods, and absent from their normal duties inspecting mine sites in the field.
In this context I would emphasise that the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
prescribes clear procedures for the reporting by workers to higher authorities, and the resolving, of the types of issues mentioned above. Furthermore, I am informed that it has previously been agreed in consultation between DMP, Unions WA and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy that a key factor in improving safety and health on mine sites is the promotion of "coal-face" consultation directly between workers and management.
In view of the foregoing, I am not prepared to allow DMP to again consume an inordinate amount of inspectorate and staff time in preparing answers to the Member's latest question. However, given the obvious interest held by some Members in these matters, I would be happy to arrange for DMP to provide those Members with a briefing on any matters of concern that they may have in respect of any particular mine site.
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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