NSW Resources Regulator puts mine safety front and centre

The NSW Resources Regulator is urging mine workers and operators to ‘Stop. Think. Be safe at work’, following two fatalities at NSW mines. The message comes as part of a campaign designed to help maintain the state’s mining safety record and is the result of an industry-wide roundtable held last year, according to NSW Resources Regulator Chief Inspector of Mines Garvin Burns.

“While the NSW mining industry’s safety record exceeds other high-risk industries and is statistically one of the safest in the world, there is no room for complacency. Since we convened that roundtable there have tragically been two fatalities at NSW mines. While we do not believe there needs to be a ‘safety reset’ in NSW, like is happening in other jurisdictions, it is prudent to take proactive and renewed steps to keep safety front of mind in NSW mining operations,” Burns said. “Through the Mine Safety Advisory Council and NSW’s strong approach we are working collaboratively with industry and unions to ensure that all mine workers go home safe at the end of their shift.”

Starting this month, the Resources Regulator is releasing a series of safety resources, including video animations, to be shown to mine workers by mine operators. ‘Be safe at work’ is the first video to be released — focusing on supervision, safety planning and safe equipment and systems.

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