for photo.
From L to R: Anglo American CEO in Australia (Interim) Nick Barlow; QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane; QMIHSC Chair and Chief Inspector of Coal Mines for RSHQ Peter Newman; Minister for Resources Scott Stewart and Master of Ceremonies and Managing Director of Driver Safety Australia Russell White.
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Queensland's world-leading resources industry is taking action to support the health and safety of its 56,000-strong workforce with today's launch of the four-day annual Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference (QMIHSC).
More than 1,000 leading health and safety professionals will converge on the Gold Coast for the largest conference of its kind in the southern hemisphere this week (21 - 24 August) to share and learn from past experiences with one focus - to ensure that every worker in the industry goes home safe at the end of every shift.
Speaking to the largest crowd in the conference's 32-year history, QMIHSC 2022 Chair, and Chief Inspector of Coal Mines for Resources Safety and Health Queensland, Peter Newman said the mining industry's core value and commitment is the safety, health and psychological wellbeing of its workforce, where everyone who goes to work returns home safe and healthy.
"The industry is committed to eliminating fatalities, injuries and occupational illnesses, with a strong focus on building and sustaining respectful workplaces," Mr Newman said.
"Every individual, regardless of where they work, who they work for, how they are employed, or the tasks they undertake expects the same high standard of workplace safety, health and wellbeing.
"There has been a lot of developments that provide for the better management of work health and safety issues in the industry over the last three years, due to the Covid-19 related postponement of the conference in 2020 and 2021, so I expect that each of you will leave this Conference with a broader range of strategies to better manage health and safety risks."
The in-person and online conference is organised by representatives from the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), Resources Safety and Health Queensland, the Mining & Energy Union Queensland, industry organisations and the Australian Workers' Union.
CEO of Anglo American in Australia (Interim), Nick Barlow, said Anglo American was pleased to support the conference, fostering improved collaboration across industry.
"Over the last few years, our industry demonstrated unprecedented cooperation as we responded to COVID-19, with a collective belief that the health and safety of our people and communities comes first. It showed was possible through collaboration, drive and a shared sense of responsibility, which we hope to again harness this week as we work together to respond to broader industry safety and health challenges," Mr Barlow said.
Thank you to Anglo American (Principal Sponsor), Glencore, uvex Safety ANZ, Yancoal, Peabody Australia, Simtars, Komatsu, Mining and Energy Union Queensland and the many other sponsors and exhibitors who support the conference.
