The Queensland Mines Inspectorate has shown good leadership on this issue with a letter to the industry from chief inspector of mines Luca Rocchi that sets the record straight.
Rocchi's message is simple: miners have to ensure their contractors are dressed for safety.
As part of its operational activities the inspectorate will be actively checking to ensure PPE requirements and health assessments of contract workers and labour hire employees were being managed in accordance with the legislation and, where necessary, it would take action when non-compliance was identified.
The inspectorate said while the mine operator might choose how discharged its obligation it was a requirement that PPE was provided to the worker free of cost and was appropriate for the task.
"Over the past months, the Mineral Mines and Quarries Inspectorate has received enquiries and complaints from contractor employees in regards to the provision of personal protective equipment and the responsibilities for mine worker health assessments," it said.
"Complaints include workers being asked to pay for their own PPE and health assessment, which does not meet the requirements of the Mines and Quarries Legislation."
The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union is right behind the push and claims its union safety inspectors have been raising the alarm on this issue for years.
CFMEU Queensland president Steve Smyth said casual labour hire workers were already being exploited.
"It's outrageous that the companies are shifting the costs of the workers' own health and safety on to them as well," he said.
"This is a dangerous industry and it's the company's responsibility to pay for medical assessments and safety equipment."
When regulator and union are in such furious agreement it can only mean the industry must sit up and take notice.
Hogsback realises that the coal industry has been through a few tough years.
However, that does not excuse skimping on safety and abusing casual labour.
Safety should be seen as an investment in the sustainability of the industry that will pay dividends through a healthy and productive workforce.
