According to Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian
Macfarlane, the industry is committed to putting people first, abiding
by advice given from the country’s health authorities.
“We have
worked with the industry across the country to develop national
protocols to protect our staff, our families, our suppliers, our
communities, our state, and our nation,” he said.
“With the
Queensland border now closed, resources workers travelling from
interstate will also wear high-viz. Companies will be encouraged to give
their staff a letter detailing their work commitments, where they would
be staying and how long.
“For an industry that supported one in
every seven jobs in Queensland before the coronavirus, we know the
responsibility of keeping those 372,000 workers safe and protecting the
safety of all Queenslanders.”
Macfarlane hosted a conference call
with 100 industry representatives and Queensland mayors yesterday to
elevate the industry’s health precautions.
This includes temperature measurements at mine site entires and health questionnaires for visitors and suppliers.
South
Australia’s Department for Energy and Mining has recommended resources
companies to provide detailed transmission prevention control measures
to SA Health.
Exploration activities are not accepted for
cross-border transit to work sites other than in “exceptional
circumstances”, according to Department for Energy and Mining chief
executive Paul Heithersay.
This is comparable to New South Wales
Resources Regulator’s response plan, with the state’s workplace health
and safety laws enforcing that employers must have measures to eliminate
and manage coronavirus risks.
Meanwhile, a departmental plan was
still in the works for Western Australia’s Department of Mines, Industry
Regulation and Safety (DMIRS).
The plan will aim “to ensure a continuity of service”, according to a DMIRS public statement.