Safety and health
Improving the safety and health performance of the Queensland mining, explosives and fireworks, and the petroleum and gas industries is a priority for the Queensland Government.
The role of Queensland Mines and Energy, Safety and Health Division, is to provide the framework and direction to industry to manage risks through consultation and safe systems.
Safety and Health works closely with industry, unions, other government agencies, other stakeholders, and the community to promote continuous improvement in the area of mines, petroleum and gas, and explosives and fireworks safety and health.
Safety and Health consists of the Mines Inspectorate, the Health Surveillance Unit, the Explosives Inspectorate, the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate and Simtars.
The Mines Inspectorate supports safety and health in the mining and quarrying industries through:
- ensuring that mining and quarrying operations adopt acceptable health and safety standards
- a board of examiners that establishes standards of mining safety competency, sets exams and issues certificates of competency
- responding effectively to accidents and incidents
- reporting on accidents and incidents to bring about improvement across the industry.
Explosives and fireworks safety
The Explosives Inspectorate supports safety in the explosives and fireworks industries to protect the community and workers from the hazards of explosives and related materials through:
- ensuring that there are standards for the safe handling and use of explosives
- monitoring explosives activities to ensure compliance with standards
- responding effectively to explosives accidents and incidents
- administering government reserves for the storage and distribution of explosives.
The Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate supports safety in the petroleum and gas industries through a range of services, including:
- conducting inspections and audits
- issuing of occupational licences and authorisations
- investigating accidents at petroleum and gas installations and in the community.
- advising the government, community and industry on technical and safety issues
Queensland's principal mine safety research facility, Simtars, conducts gas analysis and monitoring, risk assessment, hygiene and environmental consultancy, electrical testing and certification, and mine-related training.
Last Updated 13 October 2009
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