Beginning from 16 September 2013, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines will conduct a series of forums to discuss the proposed reforms with managers and employees of coal and metalliferous mining operations in Queensland mining communities.
Queensland natural resources and mines minister Andrew Cripps said, "It’s time that Queensland’s mining community looked at the legislation we now have, understand where we’ve come from, and determine whether we have the best system to protect Queensland mineworkers."
The proposed reforms involve an increase in the number of coal industry safety and health representatives from three to four, and clarity about the industry safety and health representative’s role.
Additional reforms include single safety and health management system for all mines, which comprises company employees and contractors as well as ensuring key safety positions at mine sites to become legal roles with a board of examiners competency certificate required.
In addition to standardizing the management of fatigue, drugs, alcohol and fitness for work across the quarry and coal sector, the proposed reforms intends to improve stone dusting and water barrier requirements for underground coal operations to minimize the risk of fire or explosion.
