Representatives from the State’s billion dollar mining and extractives industry will tomorrow meet in Cessnock to push forward an agenda to make NSW a world leader in mining occupational health and safety.

The NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council’s decision to meet in the Hunter Valley coal mining region demonstrates its commitment to address OHS issues confronting everyone who works in mining.

NSW Minister for Mineral Resources, Ian Macdonald, who the council provides advice to on mining OH&S issues, said the Council was prioritising important initiatives for the NSW mining and extractives industry.

"I congratulate the Council for continuing to work closely with industry and union leaders to address the major OHS issues," Minister Macdonald said.

"The Council’s dedication to achieving its goal of zero harm in the mining industry is commendable and I support its strategic direction to achieve this outcome by fostering a world-leading health and safety culture."

The Council includes senior officials from some of the most respected bodies in the mining industry including the CFMEU, Australian Workers Union, NSW Minerals Council and Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia.

The industry committed the Council, chaired by Norman Jennings, to foster a world-leading OHS culture in NSW mining at the CEO Culture Change Summit called by the Minister in November last year.

Among the Council’s priorities following the summit are the development and implementation of:

• an holistic communication and marketing approach fostering a ‘world-leading OHS culture’
• an education and assistance program, including for non-technical skills
• a strategy to educate communities about good OHS principles at and beyond the workplace.

The Council is focused on addressing the areas of culture change, fatigue, negative impacts of safety incentive schemes and production bonuses, the gap between OHS systems and practice along with contemporary health issues, including musculoskeletal disorders and OHS issues affecting contractors and inexperienced workers.

The NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council was established in 1998 following recommendations made in the Mine Safety Review and Gretley Inquiry.

The Council was strengthened in 2006 and will aim to increase the emphasis on safety and health within the mining industry by reviewing and analysing safety performance, setting strategic directions, providing advice and developing policy recommendations.

Photo opportunity

The Council will meet at the CFMEU Northern Mining Division offices, 67a Aberdare Road, Aberdare, available for a photo 10-10.15am on Thursday 23 April.

Further reading

Mine safety

Media contact: Tom Braz 02 6391 3579, 0428 256 596