A behind-the-scenes look at mine emergency response competitions
Issue Date: - Tuesday, 23 December 2008
A focus on people behind the scenes in the underground and surface mine emergency response competitions features in the latest edition of MineSafe magazine, which is now available online.
The hugely successful competitions would not be possible without the help of countless volunteers and the final edition of the year looks at some of the people who contribute to this success.
The importance of access to historical records and present-day expertise is highlighted in a comprehensive article on subsidence assessment in the Collie region, echoed by the importance of research to mining safety demonstrated by the diversity of a number of projects underway, sponsored by the Minerals and Energy Research Institute of Western Australia (MERIWA).
There is also a report on the fourth annual Mines Safety Roadshow, which was presented in October in Kalgoorlie and Bunbury, finishing in Karratha and Perth during Safe Work Australia Week.
No one doubts the importance of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and MineSafe explores the special relationship the organisation has with the resources sector.
Topics covered in the occupational health theme include the ongoing review of hazardous manual tasks and a recently released fact sheet series, a new health surveillance guideline, and a warning about welding fumes.
The impact of fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workplaces was the subject of a recent seminar jointly sponsored by the John Curtin Institute of Public Policy, and Housing and Urban Research Institute of Western Australia. The program is summarised in this issue, and we delve into a research project investigating the experiences of children in FIFO families.
State Mining Engineer, Martin Knee, contributes his regular column and looks at the origins of our mining legislation. There is also an update on the status of some reviews that may impact on Western Australia.
To round off this issue of MineSafe, there is a feature on the dangers of lightning, a reminder about accident and incident reporting and a significant incident report relating to dangerous goods transport safety.
Produced by Resources Safety, MineSafe magazine can be downloaded as a PDF from www.docep.wa.gov.au/ResourcesSafety or join the free mailing list by e-mailing your address to RSDcomms@docep.wa.gov.au