Australia is in the grips of a major resources boom. While other countries around the world feel the full force of the Global Financial Crisis, Australia has remained comparatively unscathed because of our rich resources and our ability to utilize this sector in terms of broader national economic leverage.
Australia’s Backbone
How do we protect our mining industry, given it is now the backbone of Australia’s economy?
Fewer industries are subjected to such catastrophic consequences of even minor mistakes than the mining industry. The working environment is hazardous in its own right, and the slightest misjudgement can create serious hazards affecting the safety of many of the miners and even surrounding communities. In the United States, mine operators and the Mine Safety and Health Administration are working together to mitigate some of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse by mine workers. And in Australia, people like the Commissioner for Mine Safety in Queensland – Stewart Bell- believes safety is imperative in the sector.[1]
Working together for drug-free environment
Unions, contractors and mine owners need to work closely with OH&S staff and specialists to educate all mine workers on the hazards of using drugs and alcohol in the industry. The machinery used in mining is only one of the areas that can be negatively affected when operated by someone affected by drugs or alcohol. Drug testing procedures become an important component in ensuring worker safety and in spite of union concerns, it is now clear that testing and zero tolerance are part and parcel of what the industry rightly expects in order to maintain adequate safety for all. And, whenever a mine disaster does occur, it serves as a reminder of the need for the observance of safety rules, as well as drug alcohol testing within the industry.
Full attention required underground
Working in the confines of an underground mine can be hard, tiring work and in the past alcohol abuse was a well known feature of the miner’s life. Alcohol testing is an important part of the planned attack to prevent workers from becoming a danger to themselves and others. In September 2011, Industrial Magistrate Ron Muirhead stated “the underground mining industry is inherently dangerous and those involved in the industry should be able to operate with confidence and have faith in the system to ensure that appropriate safety measures are implemented, monitored and enforced.”[2]
Educating workers and providing help for those with serious alcohol and drug addiction problems can also help to keep safety at an optimum. Alcohol screening utilising quality devices and an onsite screening programme can also help enormously as both a preventative measure and a monitoring system.
Early health programs ignored drugs and alcohol
For many years the mining industry as well as the government agencies charged with overseeing safety, did not consider drug and alcohol addiction as a real problem in the industry.
Potential results of impairment of mine workers
With the dangers of the mining industry known, mine owners and operators in Australia and also overseas are taking the right step by requiring a zero tolerance and drug alcohol testing of those in this safety conscious industry. An errant spark or flame, or misjudging support placements are only two of the unintended consequences of a worker lacking the ability to make the right decision at the right time. There are literally a multitude of safety sensitive issues that require constant monitoring. And there is no place for alcohol and drugs when so many lives are potentially at risk.
If your site requires the services of a sound onsite screening programme, consider Mediscreen. You can speak with an onsite screening specialist on 1300 797040.
References:
http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/drugs/workingpartners/msha.asp
[1] http://www.dailymercury.com.au/sotry/2011/09/27/mining-safety-top-priority/
[2] http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/coal-miner-fined-for-dangerous-actions
