❓ Question on Notice regarding the government's role in achieving a fatality-free period in the WA resources industry. The Minister outlines the government's contributions through safety reforms and increased inspector resources.
AnsweredQoN 84Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RESOURCES INDUSTRY — FATALITY-FREE PERIOD
84. Ms W.M. DUNCAN to the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
The government and the resources industry should be
congratulated on achieving a fatality-free 18 months —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : We have a standing order here that states that members are
not allowed to have a preamble to the question, so the member should just ask
the question and get on with it.
Ms W.M. DUNCAN :
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected.
Ms W.M. DUNCAN : I
think I have been set up!
Several members interjected.
Ms W.M. DUNCAN :
Can the minister please outline how the government's safety reforms
have contributed to achieving a fatality-free 18 months?
84. Ms W.M. DUNCAN to the
Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
The government and the resources industry should be
congratulated on achieving a fatality-free 18 months —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : We have a standing order here that states that members are
not allowed to have a preamble to the question, so the member should just ask
the question and get on with it.
Ms W.M. DUNCAN :
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected.
Ms W.M. DUNCAN : I
think I have been set up!
Several members interjected.
Ms W.M. DUNCAN :
Can the minister please outline how the government's safety reforms
have contributed to achieving a fatality-free 18 months?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for an outstanding
question. It is a very important question for her electorate because there are
many operational mines in the seat of Kalgoorlie. I know the member for
Kalgoorlie takes mine safety very seriously—as do I.
Mine safety is a serious issue and I am pleased to inform the
house that it is true that for the past 18 months we have had no fatalities in
any mines in Western Australia. I stand here as the current minister, but apart
from the industry, which is responsible for implementing safety regimes, the
previous Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Hon Norman Moore, must take more
credit than me. I would like to table the outstanding performance measure of
the previous minister. If members look at the chart, they will see that —
Several members interjected.
Mr W.R. MARMION :
Mining is inherently dangerous, as people know, and if members look at the
chart, they will see —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr W.R. MARMION :
Mr Speaker, this is a pretty serious issue. For those people who have —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Can
members let the minister answer the question.
Mr W.R. MARMION :
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
People like me who have been on sites on which there have
been fatalities will know that they have an amazing and terrible impact on not
only the workers on the site, but also the families of the deceased and the
industry. It is a very serious issue and it will be the highest priority for me
in my term as Minister for Mines and Petroleum. I table that chart.
[See paper 287.]
Mr W.R. MARMION :
What has the government done to assist industry in bringing about this
wonderful achievement? The mine safety levy introduced by the previous minister
has made a real difference to the sector. The levy has allowed us to employ 23
extra inspectors with very broad skill sets through a number of areas of
engineering, including mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, mining and
petroleum. These extra skill sets mean that we now have 107 mining safety
specialists; 63 mine safety inspectors; 16 petroleum safety officers and risk
analysts; and 28 dangerous goods officers. We have 975 operational mines in
Western Australia, so we need this skill set to examine these sites and make
sure that mines are operating safely. Just to give members an idea, mine
inspectors alone carry out 2 400 inspections every year throughout Western
Australia. These additional resources have enabled a more thorough analysis of
incidents, have also determined the root causes of these incidents, and where
necessary have enabled more targeted and effective enforcement by the
department.
As I said, mining by its nature is a hazardous industry. That
is why it is important that the department, and I as the minister, are vigilant
in making sure that all mines throughout Western Australia are operated safely.
It will be one of my highest priorities, if not my highest priority, in the
next four years.
question. It is a very important question for her electorate because there are
many operational mines in the seat of Kalgoorlie. I know the member for
Kalgoorlie takes mine safety very seriously—as do I.
Mine safety is a serious issue and I am pleased to inform the
house that it is true that for the past 18 months we have had no fatalities in
any mines in Western Australia. I stand here as the current minister, but apart
from the industry, which is responsible for implementing safety regimes, the
previous Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Hon Norman Moore, must take more
credit than me. I would like to table the outstanding performance measure of
the previous minister. If members look at the chart, they will see that —
Several members interjected.
Mr W.R. MARMION :
Mining is inherently dangerous, as people know, and if members look at the
chart, they will see —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr W.R. MARMION :
Mr Speaker, this is a pretty serious issue. For those people who have —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Can
members let the minister answer the question.
Mr W.R. MARMION :
Thank you, Mr Speaker.
People like me who have been on sites on which there have
been fatalities will know that they have an amazing and terrible impact on not
only the workers on the site, but also the families of the deceased and the
industry. It is a very serious issue and it will be the highest priority for me
in my term as Minister for Mines and Petroleum. I table that chart.
[See paper 287.]
Mr W.R. MARMION :
What has the government done to assist industry in bringing about this
wonderful achievement? The mine safety levy introduced by the previous minister
has made a real difference to the sector. The levy has allowed us to employ 23
extra inspectors with very broad skill sets through a number of areas of
engineering, including mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, mining and
petroleum. These extra skill sets mean that we now have 107 mining safety
specialists; 63 mine safety inspectors; 16 petroleum safety officers and risk
analysts; and 28 dangerous goods officers. We have 975 operational mines in
Western Australia, so we need this skill set to examine these sites and make
sure that mines are operating safely. Just to give members an idea, mine
inspectors alone carry out 2 400 inspections every year throughout Western
Australia. These additional resources have enabled a more thorough analysis of
incidents, have also determined the root causes of these incidents, and where
necessary have enabled more targeted and effective enforcement by the
department.
As I said, mining by its nature is a hazardous industry. That
is why it is important that the department, and I as the minister, are vigilant
in making sure that all mines throughout Western Australia are operated safely.
It will be one of my highest priorities, if not my highest priority, in the
next four years.
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