Big drop in mining accidents

30/5/94

There has been a big reduction in Western Australian mines accidents, Mines Minister George Cash said yesterday.

According to a recently released report by the Department of Minerals and Energy, the number of lost-time injuries in underground mines fell from 178 in 1992 to 125 last year - a 30 per cent improvement.

The injury index of days lost per million hours of work for all mines in the State fell from 273 days lost per million hours in 1992 to 216 in 1993, an improvement of 21 per cent.

"These latest figures are particularly encouraging - injury rates in Western Australia are almost half the national average despite our mines being the most productive," Mr Cash said.

"However, we must not become complacent about lower accident figures - each new achievement becomes a benchmark for future improvement."

The Fatal and Lost Time Injuries in WA Mines 1993 report comprehensively details the safety performance of the 34,000 people who work in mines throughout the State.

The report was produced to inform management and safety professionals about mining accidents and to increase safety awareness at all levels throughout the industry.

Last year, seven people died on WA metalliferous mine sites including three who lost their lives in underground accidents.

This was one more fatality than the previous year and the Minister set up a working party to review the situation and update the 1991 Retrospective Study on Fatalities.

The working party has also examined interstate and overseas experiences and analysed DOME initiatives to see if improvements could be made and would report to the Minister shortly.

"I will not be satisfied until are no fatalities in the mining industry," Mr Cash said.

"DOME is continuing to promote safety awareness in the mining industry.

"In addition to routine mine inspections, departmental officers visit mine sites to conduct special safety workshops which promote safe work practices and safety awareness.

"My department's inspectors have helped advance safety in WA's mining industry to the point where injury rates are at an all-time low."

The report is available from the DOME on (09) 222 3333.

Media contact: Caroline Lacy  222 9595

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The statistics published in the report relate to accidents occurring in 1993 which involved time lost from work of one day or more (lost-time injuries) on mines in WA. The day on which the accident happened is not counted as a day lost. 

The total number of working days lost through injury in 1993 has three components:

·       days lost in 1993 from injuries occurring in 1993 (initial injuries);

·       days lost through recurrences of injuries in 1993 and previous years (recurrent injuries);

·       days lost in 1993 by those continuously off work from injuries occurring before January 1, 1993 (carry over injuries).