Talks held over coal mine deaths
Crisis talks have been called after the death of a worker in a Queensland coal mine.
The Queensland government, mining industry and unions have held a sit-down after a man died at a coal mine central Queensland on Sunday, just hours before another man was injured at a North Queensland coal mine.
Two new inquiries have been launched as a result.
A 27-year-old man died at the Baralaba North Coal mine central Queensland on Sunday, and soon after a man was injured falling about 10 metres from a platform at Glencore's Collinsville Coal Mine.
It is all just a fortnight after the death of another man at Middlemount coal mine.
Queensland Mines Minister Anthony Lynham says the deaths and injuries are unacceptable.
“I am extremely distressed and concerned that there has been six mining and quarry worker deaths in the last 12 months,” Dr Lyneham said.
“I will be making it absolutely clear that this situation is unacceptable and requires action.”
Queensland Resources Council says it is holding meetings with the CFMEU and AWU and state mining department as a matter of urgency.
“Industry is working on measures for a safety reset to refocus on safety in light of the recent tragedies,” the QRC said.
CFMEU Queensland mining and energy president Steve Smyth said an industry-wide shutdown may be needed so that “serious reflection can occur”.
“It's terrible, we're sick of it ... it's a safety crisis,” Mr Smyth told the ABC.
“We've been saying there needs to be a major safety reset.”