Tuesday 3 April 2012

Media Release

New Zealand needs world best health and safety standards for mining to avoid another Pike River

New Zealand mining laws and regulations must be completely overhauled and brought into line with international best practice health and safety standards and procedures to avoid a repeat of Pike River Mine disaster, according to the Engineering, Printing & Manufacturing Union, representing the country’s miners.

In its final submission to the Pike River Royal Commission this morning, the EPMU says the evidence is overwhelming that the 29 men who lost their lives at the Pike mine in November 2010 were failed by both the Department of Labour and Pike River Coal Ltd, and that there must be fundamental change to provide for the health and safety of coal mine workers now and into the future.

“Coal mine workers deserve to have the best laws and mechanisms in place to ensure that they return home safely from work,” says Ged O’Connell, EPMU assistant national secretary. “This Commission has heard how the current laws governing health and safety are inadequate and that we need new regulatory provisions in place that represent international best practice.”

In its submission today the EPMU is strongly advocating for the adoption of the Queensland model of mine regulation and practice saying this will provide clear, detailed and necessary obligations on coal industry employers to ensure the safety of workers. A key feature is statutory recognition and support for check inspectors – coal mine workers elected by their peers who have the ability to inspect mines and actively engage in workplace health and safety.

“A fundamental and necessary part of the Queensland system is the legislated role of workers to participate in respect of health and safety. This provides workers a real voice, without fear or favour, to raise issues and concerns with management on the job and with the statutory authorities,” says Mr O’Connell. “The mechanisms that exist in New Zealand for mine workers to have a real say in health and safety are very weak and it’s a constant struggle for workers to have real influence with on-site safety management.”

“The EPMU is committed to a forward thinking and genuine approach to health and safety. The EPMU wants to work with companies and the regulator in a genuine tripartite relationship to ensure the best health and safety outcomes, and check inspectors must be part of this approach.”

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