Hon. Kate Doust questions the Minister for Mines and Petroleum regarding discussions with mining companies about improving on-site health and safety following an increase in fatalities. The Minister confirms discussions and reiterates the importance of a 'safety first' culture.

AnsweredQoN 394Legislative Council
Asked
8 April 2014
Portfolio
Mines and Petroleum

QuestionView source ↗

MINE SITES
— ON-SITE HEALTH AND SAFETY
394. Hon KATE DOUST to the
minister representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to the
recent increase in the number of fatalities on Western Australian mining sites.
(1) Has the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
or his department had any discussions since January 2013 with mining sector
companies regarding the need to improve on-site health and safety?
(2) If yes to (1) —
(a) which companies did the minister or his department have the
discussions with;
(b) when did each discussion take place; and
(c) what was the outcome of each discussion?
(3) If no to (1), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The Department of Mines and
Petroleum advises the following —
(1) Yes.
(2) (a) The Department of Mines and
Petroleum undertakes inspections and discussions with all companies regulated
under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994. The Minister for Mines and
Petroleum had discussions with Fortescue Metals Group, Newcrest, and Norseman
Gold.
(b) The Department of Mines and Petroleum
undertakes inspections and discussion with industry on a daily basis. The
Minister for Mines and Petroleum had discussions with Fortescue Metals Group in
August and December 2013, Newcrest in December 2013 and Norseman Gold in
February 2014.
(c) The Department of Mines and Petroleum's
discussions are specific to each site and company. The Minister for Mines and
Petroleum's discussion reiterated the importance of a ''safety
first'' culture on all mine sites, and reaffirmed the importance of
continuing cooperation with the Department of Mines and Petroleum to ensure
safety performance.
(3) Not applicable.

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