International award for mine safety research

Three University of South Australia researchers are part of the team to be awarded the International Ergonomics Association (IEA)/Liberty Mutual Medal in Occupational Safety and Ergonomics for Digging Deeper, the largest study of occupational health and safety in the Australian mining industry.

Associate Professor Verna Blewett, Dr Sally Ferguson and Professor Drew Dawson from the university’s Centre for Sleep Research were among the international team of occupational health and safety researchers who conducted the study for the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council.

The president of IEA, Adjunct Professor David Caple, presented the medal — the most prestigious international award of its kind in the field of occupational ergonomics and safety — and US$10,000 prize money at the 44th annual conference of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA), held at the University of South Australia 17–19 November.

Prof Blewett said the major outcome of Digging Deeper is the Platinum Rules, 10 key action areas to guide the NSW mining industry in managing OHS more effectively: “These rules have the potential to change mine safety and conditions the world over. It is a great honour that the team’s work on Digging Deeper has been recognised with this distinguished prize.”