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Member companies of the New South Minerals Council are committed to achieving excellence in Occupational Health and Safety Management and share the following safety and health vision and beliefs:
A New South Wales minerals industry free of fatalities, injuries and diseases.
- All fatalities, injuries and diseases are preventable
- Every task, however urgent or important, can be done safely
- All hazards can be identified and their risks managed
- Everyone has a personal responsibility for the safety and health of themselves and others
- Safety and health performance can always be improved
The health of NSW miners is an important long term issue for the minerals industry. It affects all aspects and levels of the industry from individual health and fitness for work up to industry’s ability to operate. Health issues have tended to take a back seat when compared with the safety of miners, however the NSW Minerals Council believes that both health and safety are interrelated and that both require effective management to ensure the well being of people in the industry. The top nine health risks that are high priority exposures and related disorders are:
- Noise causing noise-induced hearing loss
- Vibration causing musculoskeletal disorders
- Diesel exhaust fumes leading to respiratory disease
- Hazardous substance exposure causing dermatitis
- Ergonomic stressors causing musculoskeletal conditions
- Ergonomic stressors causing back disorders
- Ergonomic stressors causing fatigue and related disorders
- Psychosocial hazards causing mental disorders
- Ultraviolet radiation and skin disease.
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MSAC’s Health Working Party (HWP) has been established to address the health related Recommendations 6 to 8 of the Wran Review into Mine Safety. The HWP reports to the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC). Various specific working parties have been set up by MSAC to address the health issues including a Fatigue Management Working Party to address fatigue related issues and hour of work issues and a Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorder Working Party.
The HWP consists of nominated representatives from Industry and Investment NSW, Coal Services, WorkCover NSW, employee and employer representatives and an independent health expert. NSW Minerals Council is an active member on this Health Working Party. The HWP has developed a contemporary guide ‘Health Management Plan’on the health issues to assist mine sites in managing the health risks posed by identified priority health issues.
Relevant Link
Management of musculoskeletal disorders in the mining industry.
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