Mine safety to be promoted

The Mining Roadshow lands today at the Lighthouse Beach Resort in Bunbury to promote mine safety to the South West community.

Department of Mines and Petroleum mines safety director and State mining engineer Andrew Chaplyn said it was one of the most important events to promote mine safety in WA.

He said it was important the mining community had discussions about mental well-being and the role of health representatives.

This year’s theme is “pressing concerns” encouraging people in the industry to bring up ideas and raise conversations around safety.

“With a number of active mines and a significant population of fly-in, fly-out workers, the South West is an important stop on the roadshow’s calendar,” Mr Chaplyn said.

“Safety and health representatives, supervisors and others responsible for safety and health are encouraged to attend the roadshows.

“The roadshow will focus on the risks associated with getting caught, trapped or crushed, and will feature a special screening of the third instalment of the Know Your Hazards video series.”

Mr Chaplyn said the first instalment of videos was produced to coincide with the 2014 roadshow and had since been viewed more than 9500 times.

Discussions will be on safety culture, mental wellbeing at home and in the workplace and the role of safety and health representatives.

He said an update had been conducted on regulatory and industry perspectives in mine safety and health in Western Australia.

The event encourages engagement and the exchange of ideas to help improve safety on WA’s mine sites through presentations and interactive workshops.