Click here for photo of Steve Carson with QMIHSC Chair Larnie Mackay
A North West Queensland man with more than five decades experience in the mining sector and an outstanding record of community service has been named winner of the prestigious 2023 Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference (QMIHSC) "Legend" award.
Steve Carson's family emigrated from England to Mount Isa in 1963 when he was 13 and he began working at mine sites in the Northern Territory not long after leaving school in the late 1960s.
Steve moved back home in 1970 to take up a job as a tyre fitter, working underground at Mount Isa Mines and has remain connected to the North West resources sector ever since.
His many roles included four years as a District Workers Representative and member of the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee in which he became known for his ability to communicate with workers to make a genuine improvement to safety outcomes.
Away from the mine sites, Steve was an avid road cyclist and started the Mount Isa Border ride that has raised over $100 thousand for charity.
Now retired, he's turned his attention to raising money for local animal rescue groups and last year raised $14,000.
QMIHSC Chair Larnie Mackay said the 'Legends Award" is always a highlight of the industry's annual safety conference and Steve is very deserved recipient.
"Steve Carson epitomises the best of the resources sector through his commitment to his job and to improving health and safety outcomes for all mining workers," Ms Mackay said.
"On behalf of all QMIHSC delegates, I congratulate Steve on a fantastic career in the Queensland resources sector and on what he has achieved over a long period of time both within our industry and in his charity work.
"His dedication to health and safety is an example to us all as we continue discussions on this critically important topic over the next three days of the conference."
2023 QMIHSC Legend, Steve Carson, said he's humbled to have won the award.
"I have been very fortunate to work in an industry that has given me so many opportunities and to be recognised with this award is a highlight of my career," Mr Carson said.
"Throughout my long career, I have seen a lot of changes in the attitudes to workers' safety and I am proud to have contributed to achieving better outcomes that make our industry safer for everyone.
"The resources sector offers terrific opportunities for anyone looking for a rewarding and exciting career and they can be confident that safety will always be the number one priority."
The QMHISC continues on the Gold Coast until August 23 and the conference program is available here.
