Minister warns Roy Hill over safety breaches
Mines Minister Bill Marmion has warned senior Roy Hill executives the company, majority owned by Gina Rinehart, cannot hide behind its contractors over poor safety standards at the $10 billion project.
Mr Marmion yesterday hauled in senior Roy Hill personnel, including chief executive Barry Fitzgerald, to express concerns about a spate of serious safety incidents on the mine, rail and port project over the past seven months.
It is believed more than 30 safety incidents have been reported to the Department of Mines and Petroleum since July. DMP safety inspectors have issued nine prohibition orders in the period, including banning the use of cranes at Roy Hill's processing facility in January. A further nine improvement notices have been issued.
But despite increasing pressure over its safety standards, there has been little let up in the number of incidents since DMP lifted its banning notices on the use of cranes on January 23.
Since then, a boom dropped on a crane undergoing maintenance and a heavy construction module tipped off its jacks in a lay down area. The DMP confirmed yesterday it had launched new investigations into a January 30 accident involving a four-wheel drive and claims workers had developed respiratory problems after being exposed to toxic fumes from paint while welding imported steel construction modules.
It is believed the meeting with Mr Marmion was called after two new accidents late last week.
A spokeswoman for Roy Hill confirmed a dump truck hit an earth windrow and rolled onto its side. In a separate incident, a light vehicle rolled over with four people inside.
Mr Marmion said Roy Hill's management was ultimately responsible for safety on the site.
"This is a major project with multiple contractors but it is up to Roy Hill to drive overall standards," he said. "The company cannot outsource its responsibilities to protect workers across the site. All workers and their families deserve to feel confident they will come home alive. Roy Hill has assured me that safety is the company's top priority."
The Roy Hill spokeswoman could not comment on details of the discussion. It is understood further meetings between Roy Hill executives and senior DMP safety official will be held today.
