Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion was in attendance at the annual Mines Inspector Forum and said, "every worker in the resources industry should return home safely to their family and friends at the end of each shift or swing."
"That's an absolute right every worker should have, and a goal and expectation we all share."
The Minister made the comments during his speech at the Department of Mines and Petroleum's (DMP) Mines Inspector Forum.
The forum brings together Western Australia's Mine Safety Inspectorate and allows them to share their knowledge and experience with their colleagues.
"This helps to ensure our inspectors give clear, consistent safety advice to industry regardless of where the mine site is located - whether it's a mineral sands operation in the South-West, an iron ore operation in the Pilbara or a nickel mine in the Goldfields," Mr Marmion said.
"Another important focus for the inspectorate is encouraging industry to continue climbing the hierarchy of control.
"This means moving away from a reliance on administrative controls and personal protective equipment as the primary means of protection from harm.
"Instead, we should focus on working to isolate, substitute and eliminate hazards in workplaces."
The Minister said inspectors had a critical role in driving positive cultural change.
"This will also help industry move up the hierarchy of control and closer to the aspirational goal of zero harm," he said.
Fact File
- Since 2009, the number of mine inspectors has increased from 43 to 70
- More information about mine safety is available from the Resources Safety section of DMP's website
- In August, DMP released a report analysing serious injuries in WA's mining industry
