A serious workplace incident took place at Glencore’s (LON:GLEN) Mount Isa Mines copper smelter in Queensland on 25 April 2024 highlighting the significance of World Day for Safety and Health at Work held just several days later.
Glencore stopped production after two workers were left unconscious and hospitalised. A 26-year-old contractor is in an induced coma and on assisted breathing, while another 25-year-old colleague has suffered critical burns to half of his face and neck.
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) says every worker deserves to return home safe, and unfortunately, two workers tragically did not — referring to two workers injured at Glencore’s (LON:GLEN) Mount Isa Mines copper smelter.
“Tough questions need to be asked about how an incident like this has occurred,” AWU Queensland Secretary Stacey Schinnerl says.
As the industry acknowledged World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April 2024, Mining.com.au spoke with several industry executives about the hazardous activities and harsh climate conditions miners are dealing with, as well as how some solutions are straightforward, when it comes to avoiding worksite incidents and fatalities, as previously reported.
This year’s theme recognised the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health.
According to the International Labour Organization, climate change creates a “cocktail of serious health hazards” for 70% of the world’s workers.
The University of Queensland Australia reports despite the industry’s adoption of risk management systems, competency training, and a shift away from prescriptive regulations in the years following the Moura underground coal mine explosion in 1994, the death and serious injury rates have hardly changed.
While mining-related deaths and injuries are largely caused by either mechanical crushes, “one-off” incidents, or vehicle interactions, around 12% is caused by natural causes, as reported by The University of Queensland.
As climate change has become increasingly worrisome, it is now posed as a huge threat to human health, while also being a risk to the environment and the Australian mining industry.
Australia’s mining operations are normally in extremely harsh climates, where temperatures can rise, resulting in sun exposure which can cause permanent and irreversible damage to the skin and eyes, and in some cases, death.
Organisations and consultancies such as the Mine Safety Institute of Australia (MSIA) support all personnel to understand and fulfill their obligations, ensuring safety is managed effectively at all times.
The MSIA believes that every mine can be operated safely and “safety belongs to every person, every day.”
The Minerals Council of Australia says the mining industry’s core value and commitment is the safety, health, and psychological wellbeing of its workforce, and the industry aims to eliminate all fatalities, injuries, and occupational illnesses.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Glencore
