A project aimed at strengthening the safety capabilities of frontline supervisors across Queensland’s mining sector has begun, with industry leaders assessing whether current training requirements meet the needs of modern operations.
The initiative was launched by the Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee and the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee in response to calls for updated minimum training requirements for supervisors in the Queensland mining industry.
Resources Safety and Health acting commissioner Ken Singer said supervisors hold responsibilities central to the implementation and monitoring of safety and health management systems
He noted that a 2020 review of the state’s mining industry highlighted effective supervision as a key ingredient of system safety, reinforcing the need to ensure supervisors are adequately prepared for the role.
The project is being delivered by The University of Queensland’s Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre on behalf of the two advisory committees.
Singer said the work would begin with an assessment of the skills and knowledge required by supervisors in contemporary mining and quarrying operations. This will be followed by a training needs analysis to evaluate current competency requirements and identify any gaps.
“It’s a privilege to lead and supervise people and we want that experience to be rewarding for supervisors, and to empower them to improve safety, health and wellbeing outcomes for our people,” he said.
“We need to provide supervisors with information to support their confidence in making decisions aligned with ethical and moral values, and specific legislation and safety and health management system requirements, and that their decisions will be supported by management.”
The project forms part of the advisory committees’ five-year strategic plans to improve safety, health and wellbeing outcomes across the resources sector.
Researchers will soon approach coal, mineral and quarrying operations to gather information and interview participants.
“I encourage all site senior executives to provide information such as current supervisor position descriptions and to identify any supervisors who might be able to assist in the interview phase of the research project,” Singer said.
The study will also assess nationally recognised training packages currently being reviewed or developed by AUSMASA and the Future Skills Organisation.
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