Mines Minister Norman Moore has rejected calls for a full-scale inquiry into mine safety following the death of a miner in the Goldfields yesterday.
Mines Minister Norman Moore has rejected calls for a full-scale inquiry into mine safety following the death of a miner in the Goldfields yesterday.
The worker reportedly fell down a mine shaft at Norseman Gold yesterday morning.
He died on the way to hospital.
In a statement Norseman Gold said, "Little is known of the circumstances, except that the fatality occurred at the OK Decline, which will now be closed whilst a full investigation into how the incident occurred is undertaken."
Mr Moore said it was outrageous that unions and the Opposition were making blatantly political mileage out of the tragic incident before knowing the results on the preliminary police investigation.
He said the death would also be investigated by Department of Mines and Petroleum mines inspectors.
Mr Moore said the State Government was already in the process of the biggest overhaul of mine safety in recent memory as a result of a spike in fatal mining accidents in the past four years.
"We have had numerous official investigations and reports, most of which occurred under the previous State Government, which did nothing to change existing systems and improve mine safety," he said.
"I have announced a new, risk assessment-based, costs recovery model designed to result in safer working conditions for WA miners. The State Government is already working to implement these changes.
"I am not surprised, but nevertheless I am very disappointed, that the union and Opposition spokesperson Jon Ford are politicising this latest tragic incident.
"I would stress that UnionsWA is part of the tripartite working group of Government, industry and union bodies overseeing the introduction of the new safety case system."
Mr Ford said Mr Moore must turn his talk into action to address the serious concerns about mine safety in WA.
"On behalf of the State Labor Party, we extend our deepest sympathy to the worker's family, friends and work colleagues," he said.
"In the mining industry, there has been too much discussion about profits and tax and not enough about our biggest asset, the workers.
"The Liberal Government must establish a Royal Commission into the safety of workplaces across the entire mining industry within Western Australia."
Mr Ford said allegations had been made against the Resource Safety Inspectorate that must be addressed.
