Consultation opens on mine safety reform in SA

A public consultation process has begun on how best to improve safety regulations in South Australia’s mining industry and align them with other jurisdictions.

Commenting on the process, SafeWork SA Executive Director Michele Patterson said: “It is widely accepted that the current regulation of mine safety in South Australia needs significant modernisation to better serve this growing industry.

“This program of work is part of a wider effort to achieve nationally consistent legislation in line with similar reforms in general occupational health and safety.

“The consultation is designed to build upon efforts already underway through the National Mine Safety Framework, which seeks to achieve nationally consistent workplace safety legislation for the Australian mining industry.

“The discussion paper contains a number of proposals resulting from discussions with technical advisers and other industry experts. However, we must emphasise that this is no way a final position, but rather a starting point. Feedback can take a number of forms, ranging from a formal written submission, a letter containing particular views or simply comments sent via email.”

There will be an eight-week consultation period, with submissions due by the close of business on 6 April 2010. A copy of the discussion paper and details on where to lodge submissions can be found at www.safework.sa.gov.au.