Mr ADAMSON - 1995-10-18
I understand that all Territory mines are required to submit monthly reports on the number of employees, man-hours worked and lost-time injuries. How many mining injuries are sustained in the Territory work force?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, members would be aware that employment in the mining industry is a relatively high-risk occupation. In years past, we have discussed in this House matters related
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to occupational safety on mine sites. I am pleased to be able to respond to the member for Casuarina on a positive note in this regard.
The Department of Mines and Energy receives monthly reports from all mine managers on the number of their employees, man-hours worked and lost-time injuries. The department compiles this information on an industry basis and analyses it to identify trends. Significantly, since 1988-89, the number of lost-time injuries on Northern Territory mine sites has been reducing consistently. All members would welcome that trend. Nevertheless, any time lost due to injury - or, sadly, as occurred on one occasion this year, a fatality on a mine site - is too much. The lost-time injury frequency rate, which is an industry standard rate, was 42 in 1988-89. It was reduced to a record low of 12.9 in 1994-95. The average lost-time injury frequency rate for the Australian mining industry was 27 in 1993-94, almost double the Northern Territory figure of 14.3 for the same period. Thus, we have been able to improve substantially in this area.
Certainly, the larger mining companies have adopted a better coordinated approach to occupational health and safety. The provision of a safe working environment is considered a necessary part of modern mining operations rather than a separate matter. From management briefings on mine site operations during my visits to mine sites throughout the course of the last year, I was heartened to identify the large component of occupational health and safety matters covered. Companies are taking these matters more seriously, as are employees. It is to the credit of both. Companies have placed greater emphasis on induction and training programs. That has led to greater awareness of health and safety issues by staff.
Through the Mine Management Act, the government has played a major role in helping to reduce accidents on mine sites. This act places greater emphasis on self-regulation by placing greater responsibility for safety on the mine manager. The role of the government inspector is moving now towards reviewing or auditing safety standards and procedures on mine sites, rather than making detailed inspections to check adherence to regulations. A significant proportion of an inspector's time is spent advising the industry rather than wielding a big stick. It is encouraging that this approach seems to have worked. I hope that the trend will continue.
The Department of Mines and Energy has produced a poster which illustrates the current position. It summarises mining accidents and injuries during 1994-95, and shows a marked decline in lost-time injury frequency rates over the last 20 years. It provides other information, such as an analysis of lost-time injuries, their causes and the nature of those injuries. I am pleased to be able to report a dramatic reduction in lost time on mine sites related to safety issues. Mr Speaker, I have pleasure in tabling this poster. If members care to have copies for their electorate offices, I will be pleased to organise that. I am sure they will join me in congratulating mine managers, owners and employees on their wonderful achievements in this very important area of industry.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, members would be aware that employment in the mining industry is a relatively high-risk occupation. In years past, we have discussed in this House matters related
Page 898
to occupational safety on mine sites. I am pleased to be able to respond to the member for Casuarina on a positive note in this regard.
The Department of Mines and Energy receives monthly reports from all mine managers on the number of their employees, man-hours worked and lost-time injuries. The department compiles this information on an industry basis and analyses it to identify trends. Significantly, since 1988-89, the number of lost-time injuries on Northern Territory mine sites has been reducing consistently. All members would welcome that trend. Nevertheless, any time lost due to injury - or, sadly, as occurred on one occasion this year, a fatality on a mine site - is too much. The lost-time injury frequency rate, which is an industry standard rate, was 42 in 1988-89. It was reduced to a record low of 12.9 in 1994-95. The average lost-time injury frequency rate for the Australian mining industry was 27 in 1993-94, almost double the Northern Territory figure of 14.3 for the same period. Thus, we have been able to improve substantially in this area.
Certainly, the larger mining companies have adopted a better coordinated approach to occupational health and safety. The provision of a safe working environment is considered a necessary part of modern mining operations rather than a separate matter. From management briefings on mine site operations during my visits to mine sites throughout the course of the last year, I was heartened to identify the large component of occupational health and safety matters covered. Companies are taking these matters more seriously, as are employees. It is to the credit of both. Companies have placed greater emphasis on induction and training programs. That has led to greater awareness of health and safety issues by staff.
Through the Mine Management Act, the government has played a major role in helping to reduce accidents on mine sites. This act places greater emphasis on self-regulation by placing greater responsibility for safety on the mine manager. The role of the government inspector is moving now towards reviewing or auditing safety standards and procedures on mine sites, rather than making detailed inspections to check adherence to regulations. A significant proportion of an inspector's time is spent advising the industry rather than wielding a big stick. It is encouraging that this approach seems to have worked. I hope that the trend will continue.
The Department of Mines and Energy has produced a poster which illustrates the current position. It summarises mining accidents and injuries during 1994-95, and shows a marked decline in lost-time injury frequency rates over the last 20 years. It provides other information, such as an analysis of lost-time injuries, their causes and the nature of those injuries. I am pleased to be able to report a dramatic reduction in lost time on mine sites related to safety issues. Mr Speaker, I have pleasure in tabling this poster. If members care to have copies for their electorate offices, I will be pleased to organise that. I am sure they will join me in congratulating mine managers, owners and employees on their wonderful achievements in this very important area of industry.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016