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GREYMOUTH - The widow of a Runanga coal miner says government proposals to strengthen safety regulations could have saved her husband's life.
Robert McGowan died in the March 2006 tragedy when the Black Reef Mine was flooded after his crew hit an old shaft next to it.
In January this year the Black River Mining Company was convicted for unsafe work practices and was ordered to pay $50,000 reparation to Mr McGowan's widow.
Valma McGowan today welcomed the announcement by Labour Minister Trevor Mallard that the Government was issuing a discussion paper setting out 10 options for improving safety in the mining industry.
Mr Mallard, who went to Runanga to make the announcement, said mining had one of the highest industrial workplace injury rates and the Government recognised the hazards.
The options set out in the paper include a licensing regime for miners involved in high risk activities and having inspectors with the power to stop people going underground.
Mrs McGowan said today she welcomed any move to bring back mine inspectors.
"There is not even a mines inspector here," she said.
West Coast Tasman MP Damien O'Connor urged miners to make submissions on the discussion paper.
"The lessons of history have proven that unless we do our best to maintain the highest standards of safety possible, deaths will occur in this industry," he said.
The options listed in the paper are:
* High-risk activities like shaft sinking would require a licence to perform;
* Certain activities would need to be performed by, or under the supervision of, an appropriately qualified person;
* Certain high-risk activities would need to be notified to a health and safety inspector before they were carried out;
* Hazard management plans would be required;
* Increased support guidance would include an approved code of practice for hazard management;
* Existing mining regulations would be reviewed to identify gaps;
* Regulations could be amended so that a higher level of qualification was needed for mines of eight or fewer people than is currently required;
* Employee participation requirements could be set out to improve their involvement in hazard identification and management; and
* Requirements relating to the frequency and nature of health and safety inspectorate visits would be set out.
The Department of Labour will analyse submissions to the discussion paper, propose solutions and again consult interested parties.
At the end of the process the Government will make final decisions.
Click here for the consultation document
- NZPA
