Report shows improvement in lost-time mining

24/3/93

A report released today on accidents in the Western Australian mining industry indicates a significant improvement in lost-time injuries within the State's 48 underground metalliferous mines.

The number of lost-time injuries in underground mines fell from 243 in 1991 to 178 last year which Mines Minister George Cash said represented an encouraging 26.5 per cent improvement.

Mr Cash said the injury index of days lost per million hours of work for all mines in the State fell from 294 days lost per million hours in 1991 to 273 in 1993, an improvement of seven per cent.

The figures are contained in the publication 'Fatal and Lost Time Injuries in Western Australian Mines 1992' which was released this week to coincide with the Minesafe Conference being held in Perth.  There are more than 500 delegates including nearly 100 international visitors attending the conference.

The 52-page publication contains comprehensive details of the safety performance of more than 34,000 people who work in 230 operating mines throughout WA.

Last year there were six people killed on WA mine sites, of which two were underground and four on the surface.  This compared with 11 in 1991.

Mr Cash said that he would not be satisfied until there was a zero incidence of fatalities in the industry.

He said the Department of Minerals and Energy was continuing a campaign to promote safety awareness in the mining industry.

"In addition to routine mine inspections, departmental officers have been visiting mine sites to conduct special safety workshops to promote safe work practices and safety awareness," Mr Cash said.

"A number of special publications have also been circulated to workers in the industry to reinforce the safety message."

Media contact: Narelle Cant 222 9216