❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding unsanitary toilet conditions at Barrick Australia's Raleigh Mine, alleging breaches of mine safety regulations. The Minister acknowledges the issue, states improvements were made after inspection, and outlines potential penalties for non-compliance.
AnsweredQoN 2275Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Raleigh Mine owned by Barrick Australia located near Kalgoorlie-Boulder with senior management from Mr Evan Spencer, Mr Cullum Winn and Mr Ryan Burns and pictures taken on 30 January 2010 available for viewing at,
http://www.robinchapple.org.au/node/460
[file: 2010-01-30 Raleigh Toilets.pdf], of unhygienic underground toilets leaking sewage into the underground mine, and I ask -
(1) Does the Minister consider that these pictures of an underground unhygienic toilet leaking sewage into the mine which occurred over a considerable period of time in the Raleigh mine comply with
Mines Safety Regulations 1995
in relation to
Regulations 7.12, 7.13 and 7.14
?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister explain how all the underground toilets can be in compliance with
Mines Safety Regulations 7.12, 7.13, and 7.14
at the above referred operation to ensure that the facilities are properly maintained given that these facilities were reported as having been in this condition for a very long period of time and in some cases reported to management?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) What are the reasons and purpose as to why the Raleigh mine must comply with
Mines Safety Regulations 7.12, 7.13 and 7.14
?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Will the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) inspectorate, prosecute the management of this mine for any breaches of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and
Regulations 1995
?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Will the Minister ensure that the DMP inspectorate makes an unannounced visit without prior warning to management of this underground mine to ensure that all the underground and surface toilet facilities comply with
Regulations 7.12, 7.13, and 7.14
?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) What action will the Minister take to ensure that these types of unhygienic conditions and leaking sewage as depicted in the above referred pictures are eliminated and prevented from reoccurring with some type of strict compliance notice and prosecution?
(12) What is the maximum penalty that can be imposed under the
Mines Safety Regulations 1995
for breaches of
Regulations 7.12.7.13 and 7.14
?
(13) If no to (11), why not?
(14) On what date was the last inspection by DMP inspectors of all crib rooms underground and on the surface, including change rooms in order to comply with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and
Regulations 1995
?
(15) If no to (13), why not?
(16) If yes to (13), on what date did this occur and what were those specific issues identified by inspectors as requiring fixing to comply with legislation?
http://www.robinchapple.org.au/node/460
[file: 2010-01-30 Raleigh Toilets.pdf], of unhygienic underground toilets leaking sewage into the underground mine, and I ask -
(1) Does the Minister consider that these pictures of an underground unhygienic toilet leaking sewage into the mine which occurred over a considerable period of time in the Raleigh mine comply with
Mines Safety Regulations 1995
in relation to
Regulations 7.12, 7.13 and 7.14
?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) Can the Minister explain how all the underground toilets can be in compliance with
Mines Safety Regulations 7.12, 7.13, and 7.14
at the above referred operation to ensure that the facilities are properly maintained given that these facilities were reported as having been in this condition for a very long period of time and in some cases reported to management?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) What are the reasons and purpose as to why the Raleigh mine must comply with
Mines Safety Regulations 7.12, 7.13 and 7.14
?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Will the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) inspectorate, prosecute the management of this mine for any breaches of the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and
Regulations 1995
?
(8) If no to (7), why not?
(9) Will the Minister ensure that the DMP inspectorate makes an unannounced visit without prior warning to management of this underground mine to ensure that all the underground and surface toilet facilities comply with
Regulations 7.12, 7.13, and 7.14
?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) What action will the Minister take to ensure that these types of unhygienic conditions and leaking sewage as depicted in the above referred pictures are eliminated and prevented from reoccurring with some type of strict compliance notice and prosecution?
(12) What is the maximum penalty that can be imposed under the
Mines Safety Regulations 1995
for breaches of
Regulations 7.12.7.13 and 7.14
?
(13) If no to (11), why not?
(14) On what date was the last inspection by DMP inspectors of all crib rooms underground and on the surface, including change rooms in order to comply with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and
Regulations 1995
?
(15) If no to (13), why not?
(16) If yes to (13), on what date did this occur and what were those specific issues identified by inspectors as requiring fixing to comply with legislation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 May 2010
Responded by
Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
30 days
1-4 I believe that all workers should be provided with suitable, hygienic sanitation facilities that are maintained in a clean working condition. I am advised that mining inspectors attended the Raleigh mine site in response to a complaint. An audit of the toilet facilities at the site was completed and the necessary improvements have been made. Clearly there is an on-going obligation on the responsible person at any mine to ensure that toilet facilities are regularly inspected, cleaned and maintained.
5. In order to ensure that the facilities provided meet appropriate standards of hygiene and sanitation, compliance with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and regulations is the duty of the principal employer, officers of the company and all employees.
6. Not applicable.
7. Where prima facie evidence of a breach is found and there is satisfaction of 'public interest' tests, prosecution of a company or an individual will always be considered following State Solicitor's advice in favour of such enforcement action.
8. Refer to response to question 8.
9. The officers of the Department regularly make unannounced site inspections at all mine sites under its regulation.
10. Not applicable.
11. Refer to response to question 1.
12. $6 250.00 for an employee, $31 250.00 for an individual and $62 500.00 for a corporation (each maximum penalty being for a subsequent offence).
13. Not applicable.
14. The last inspection of the crib rooms on surface and underground and the change house at the Raleigh mine was done on the 8
March 2010.
15-16 Not applicable.
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
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5. In order to ensure that the facilities provided meet appropriate standards of hygiene and sanitation, compliance with the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
and regulations is the duty of the principal employer, officers of the company and all employees.
6. Not applicable.
7. Where prima facie evidence of a breach is found and there is satisfaction of 'public interest' tests, prosecution of a company or an individual will always be considered following State Solicitor's advice in favour of such enforcement action.
8. Refer to response to question 8.
9. The officers of the Department regularly make unannounced site inspections at all mine sites under its regulation.
10. Not applicable.
11. Refer to response to question 1.
12. $6 250.00 for an employee, $31 250.00 for an individual and $62 500.00 for a corporation (each maximum penalty being for a subsequent offence).
13. Not applicable.
14. The last inspection of the crib rooms on surface and underground and the change house at the Raleigh mine was done on the 8
March 2010.
15-16 Not applicable.
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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