Researcher Dr Scott Shappell, professor of industrial engineering at Clemson, will supervise the 12-month study into how changing human behaviour could help prevent accidents in mines.
The study will focus on accidents where workers have come into contact with machinery or vehicles in order that interventions can be developed to prevent future accidents.
Queensland Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said that although the State Government has taken a number of steps to improve safety, the mining industry is an inherently dangerous one, and those directly involved in it must play a part to keep themselves and others safe.
“We have the best mine safety legislation in Australia and it must continue to be enforced from the ground up – mine by mine, employer by employer, worker by worker," Wilson said.
On-ground research will be carried out by Jessica Patterson, one of Shappell's PhD students who arrived in Brisbane last week.
Patterson will visit minesites across the state and work with the Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS) and regional departmental offices.
