The Minerals exploration safety guidance note will assist explorers by providing a simple reference or check list of safety issues that should be considered when planning fieldwork. It will also assist exploration managers and contractors to develop their own safety programs for their particular needs. Safety works best when it is built into all tasks rather than treated as a separate issue.
Legal responsibilities for safety and health may be stipulated in various laws, but unless everyone involved in the industry works together willingly to provide and maintain a safe and healthy working environment, positive improvements are less likely to be achieved.
While there are several laws covering safety and health in exploration, and each state of Australia has its own legislation, there is a similar trend throughout each state’s laws. A common law duty of care also exists in each state. The duties and responsibilities also remain similar, whether exploring for minerals, coal, oil or petroleum, and whatever exploration techniques are used.
The range of activities involved in exploration is vast, and each one may present different hazards and risks to employees. They vary from flying aeromagnetic surveys to travelling on foot in remote inhospitable country, establishing major campsites, undertaking earthworks, and drilling.
Statistics show that most accidents and injuries occur during travelling, manual handling or drilling, and frequently are caused by slipping and falling. Fatal accidents in the exploration industry in Australia have involved fixed wing aircraft and helicopter crashes, heatstroke, vehicles overturning, and people being caught by rotating rods on drill rigs. Another fatality involved a hydrofluoric acid spill.
The best way to reduce accidents is by employers, in conjunction with employees:
• ensuring that all employees are competently trained to do their work
• identifying hazards in the job
• assessing the risks from the hazards
• managing the risks.