NSW DPI honours a champion in opal field safety

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will pay tribute to a retired Senior Inspector of Mines for his role in improving safety standards on the opal fields at Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs.

Mr Bruce Kremmer BSc (Mining Engineering) will be presented with his award at the 200th Lightning Ridge Opal Miners Safety Awareness Course, Lightning Ridge Bowling Club, on Tuesday 15 August 2006, 2.30 pm.

Bruce has presented at 199 of the 200 Safety Awareness Courses, and has played a leading role in courses’ development, implementation, revision, presentation and in the training of other course presenters.

According to DPI Senior Mine Safety Officer, David Howell, the Safety Awareness Courses are widely credited with the dramatic improvement in safety on the opal fields.

“Not one opal mining fatality has been recorded in the last nine years, compared with one a year for the preceding 10 years,” said Mr Howell.

“This important improvement can be largely attributed to the DPI’s Opal Mine Safety Awareness Course and is testimony to Bruce’s tireless work to ensure the safety of our miners.”

Since 1993 approximately 5,700 miners have attended the course at Lightning Ridge, White Cliffs and one course in Coober Pedy, South Australia.

The content of the course has been developed in consultation with the Lightning Ridge and Grawin/Sheepyard Miners’ Associations. It includes OHS responsibilities of claim holders, underground surveying, legislative requirements, mine planning, electrical hazards, ground stability and emergency procedures.

The courses attract not only fulltime miners but also the hobby miner and those who have never mined before. People come from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, ACT and overseas.

The Lightning Ridge Opal Miners Safety Awareness Course has subsequently been used as the model for the successful Small Mine safety campaign run throughout the rest of the State.