Miner says loopholes are threat to safety

A MORANBAH miner says critical safety roles on mine sites must be filled by permanent employees to ensure they are not reprimanded or fired over disagreements with management over on site safety issues.

Brodie Brunker, who works at BMA’S Broadmeadow mine, said he had witnessed firsthand the “vulnerability” of contract deputies being overruled by management, even though the deputy is ultimately responsible for the area of the mine.

“They know if they do not follow the instructions given, even though they do not agree with the decision, they will either be pulled into the office and reprimanded or, worse, shown the door,” Mr Brunker said.

State Parliament has sought submissions over the new Mineral and Energy Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020. If the Bill is passed in its current form senior officers and corporations could be tried for industrial manslaughter under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act if criminal negligence is proven in a worker’s death.

Mr Brunker was one of three people who gave a verbal submission in an open session during a public hearing in Moranbah earlier this month.

While he stated his support for the Bill, he said coal mine operators could find loopholes in some of its wording.

“Wording needs to be implemented to ensure these (critical safety) roles are filled by a permanent employee of the mine operator,” Mr Brunker said. “Having all critical safety roles employed on a permanent employment type will give the person the confidence to stop the job regardless of the circumstances and not fear for their job.”

The committee is due table its report on March 27. to