Queensland Mine Safety and Health Commissioner Stewart Bell has warned mining operations they must improve their safety performance as the industry continues to grow and it employs more inexperienced personnel.

In his annual report tabled in the Queensland Parliament, Bell said the number and frequency of injuries to mining industry workers across the board had increased significantly over the year but the underground coal situation was particularly disturbing.

“Queensland is recognised as having one of the safest mining industries in the world,” he said.

“However, I am concerned that one of the major safety parameters we measure – the lost time injury frequency rate – is on the rise, particularly in underground coal mines.

“This is a large increase and a cause for concern.”

Bell’s concerns about underground coal mines were echoed by Queensland Resources Council chief executive officer Michael Roche.

“It's also troubling that in our underground coal mines, the lost time injury frequency rate has increased from 4.2 to 6.8 over the same period,” he said.

“While it's acknowledged that Queensland is recognised as having one of the safest mining industries in the world, we will continue to work with the independent government mine safety regulator and the mining workforce to ensure that it stays that way.

“The commissioner has flagged a possible cause of the increase in LTIFR being due to an influx of inexperienced workers and we would welcome the opportunity to work with the Mines Inspectorate to determine whether this is an issue and if more needs to be done in the training of new recruits.”

The LTIFR across all sectors increased from 3.4 injuries or diseases per million hours worked in 2010-11 to 3.9 per million hours worked in 2011-12.

The number of lost time injuries and disabling injuries across all sectors increased from 851 in 2010-11 to 1047 during the 12 months to June 30, 2012.

Bell said there was one fatality in Queensland’s mining industry during 2011-12 compared to three fatalities the previous financial year.

One positive area to note was the increase in the number of high potential incidents reported by industry to government mines inspectors.

There were 2370 HPIs reported during 2011-12 compared to 1960 incidents reported the previous financial year.

“High potential incidents are events where worker safety could have been potentially at risk and does not mean any person was injured as a result,” Bell said.

“The fact HPI numbers are increasing is encouraging. It reflects better reporting by operators and ensures all incidents are thoroughly investigated to help prevent future injury or fatalities.”

Bell said it was vital the Queensland mining industry improved its safety performance and training as the industry continued to expand.

“Expansion means greater numbers of untrained personnel are entering the mining workforce,” he said.

“This influx of novice miners can create risks for the new miners themselves and the people they work with, unless they undergo proper training in mine initiation and safety procedures.

“Mining does not have to be a dangerous business providing miners follow the processes and procedures that have been designed to get them home safe and healthy to their families every day.”

Queensland Mines Inspectorate staff conducted 1573 inspections of minesites and 56 audits during 2011-12.

They also conducted 191 investigations of mine accidents and incidents, issued 375 directives and 1444 substandard condition or practice notices to mines.

Fatalities

Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said the government’s target would always be zero fatalities.

“Only last month at the annual Miners Memorial Day we remembered those workers who lost their lives while on the job and it is vitally important we continue to work with industry towards a zero harm working environment,” he said.

While the report shows an increase in the LTIFR from 3.4 to 3.9 per million hours worked, it also shows a decrease in the severity rate (down 23.2%) and duration (down 25.1%) of lost-time injuries and disabling injuries in the last 12 months to June 30, 2012.

Cripps said the report highlighted the need for constant vigilance from the mining companies to ensure their operations created the safest possible environment for their workers.

“I have instructed the commissioner for mine safety and health and the QMI to speak directly with mining companies operating in Queensland to urge them to address these increases in mine safety incidents,” he said.

“In addition to making direct contact with mining companies regarding the report’s findings, the QMI will also audit and inspect contractor management systems and induction programs.”

Cripps said statutory officials would also scrutinise the level of commitment to and compliance with legislation.

“The QMI will continue to pursue all officials who do not meet their obligations under the legislation,” he said.

“It will also audit those people appointed to management positions at coal mines to ensure they are competent in managing the risks associated with working at minesites.”

The QMI is also continuing its investigations into the use of collision-avoidance equipment and is encouraging the adoption of these technologies and assessing their suitability for mining operations.

“In taking these steps, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines and specifically the QMI hope to vastly improve Queensland’s mine safety record,” Cripps said.