The State Government is to provide greater protection to people working in the mining industry as from January 1.
Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson today announced that legislation covering the mining industry would incorporate many of the occupational health, safety and welfare provisions consistent with other industries.
With the proclamation of the Mines Regulation Amendment Act on that day, responsibility for this legislation would be transferred to her.
Mrs Henderson said it meant one Minister would have responsibility for the administration of health and safety legislation applying to all industry throughout Western Australia.
This would achieve greater consistency across the workforce.
Mrs Henderson said the move followed the recommendations of a broad and independent inquiry into occupational health and safety in the State's mining industry.
The inquiry was chaired by the former chief commissioner of the WA Industrial Relations Commission, Eric Kelly.
"We commissioned this inquiry to identify how the best possible safety levels can be achieved in a hazardous industry," Mrs Henderson said.
"Mining is of crucial importance to the State and it is vital that it provides employees with the highest standard of safety possible.
"For some time, there has been a debate over the best method of ensuring the highest level of safety in the mining industry."
Mrs Henderson said the Government remained committed to removing the mining and petroleum legislation from the list of exclusions from the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act.
It would remove these exclusions next year.
