Media Releases
Fatal mining accident investigation launched
9 March 2006
The Department of Labour has launched an investigation into yesterday's mining accident on the West Coast, which left one mine worker dead and another in hospital.
Chief advisor, health and safety Mike Cosman said a mining inspector had been on the scene since notification of the accident came through yesterday afternoon. The inspector, based in Greymouth, was part of the rescue coordination team that worked through the evening to retrieve the two men. A 51-year old man was found alive, while the body of the other worker, 39, was recovered in the early hours of this morning.
Mr Cosman said now that the rescue phase of the operation was over, the mining inspector would turn his attention to investigating the cause of the accident.
"We have a witness to the incident, and our priority over the next few days is to begin interviews and start to understand the sequence of events," he said.
"Our inspector will be looking to see what he can find in the way of physical evidence, looking at the geology and the area of the mine workings, to determine what happened and whether there is anything we can learn from this incident."
Mr Cosman said it was clear the rescue team did an incredible job in difficult circumstances. "They themselves were potentially in danger, and our inspector was conscious the whole time of helping ensure the safety of the rescuers wasn't jeopardised during the rescue attempt.
"The community owes this team a debt of gratitude."
Along with operational mines, the West Coast area was riddled with former mine workings, he said. "If, during the course of our investigations, we find that there is a continuing risk from current mining operations in the area then we may consider suspending further work in nearby operations, however at this stage we are concentrating on disused workings."
The investigation would also focus on systems and procedures in place at
the small, privately-owned mine. Mr Cosman said the mine, which employed
about six people, had recently reopened after a change of ownership.
The investigation would be completed as soon as possible, but could take
some months, he said.
The last mining fatality reported to the Department of Labour happened on 8 March 2002, when a 29-year old Ohai, Southland, coal mine worker was killed when a roof collapsed on him.
Yesterday's death has brought the workplace fatalities tally for 2006 to
17, and to 46 in the 8½ months since the beginning of July 2005 -
matching the total number of fatalities in the entire 2004-05 year.
To the journalist: please note that health and safety services formerly
referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred
to as the Department of Labour.
ENDS
