New Queensland mines legislation provides for civil penalties

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland government has introduced new legislation to impose penalties on mine operators that fail to keep workers safe.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said on Thursday that the Mines Legislation (Resources Safety) Amendment Bill, introduced to Parliament, would further deliver on the government’s commitment to continuously improve mine safety and health.

“This legislation will provide civil penalties of up to A$126 150 if mining companies fail to meet their safety and health obligations to mineworkers,” Lynham said.

“Every worker has the right to go to work expecting to go home safely to their family at the end of the day and this must hold true for workers in Queensland mines.”

Lynham told Parliament that under the changes to the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 the mines inspectorate would have more powers to take direct action.

The Bill proposes new powers for the CEO to suspend or cancel individuals’ statutory certificates of competency and site senior executive notices if they fail to meet their safety and health obligations.

This means that those officers would not be able to occupy statutory positions at Queensland mine sites.

Lynham told Parliament that this added to the mines inspectorate's current powers to audit or prosecute an operator or shut down a mine.

The Bill also proposes higher levels of competency for the statutory position of ventilation officer at underground coal mines, new requirements for ventilation officers at underground mineral mines and ongoing statutory certificates to maintain high standards of professional competence throughout their careers.

Upgrades to safety and health at mines with 11 or fewer workers and better protection for contract mineworkers were also incorporated into the new legislation.

“Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis is a timely reminder that there is no place for complacency in worker safety and health,” Lynham said.

"This Bill is needed to ensure mineworkers are supported by legislation that is effective and contemporary.”