Quarry incident a call to continue Health & Safety reforms

MEDIA RELEASE

Latest quarry incident a call to continue Health & Safety reforms

June 9 2015

The New Zealand mining and quarry industry extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Murray Taylor caught in the workplace accident yesterday (8 June) at the lime quarry operated by Heathstock Haulage in North Canterbury.

“The incident in which a worker operating a digger has been buried in a rock fall is a stark reminder of the challenging workplace safety environment experienced in all mines and quarries,” National Health and Safety Council for the Mining and Quarry Industry (MinEx) chair Chris Baker said today.

“For some time now MinEx has argued that the changes required to incorporate the quarry sector under the 2013 Mining Regulations should occur with the current round of changes and not be left for phase two of the process. Good regulations are only ever one part of a safe working environment, but they are an important part, particularly for those smaller companies with limited resources,” Mr Baker said.

“It is my understanding that the quarry industry and WorkSafe NZ both agree that the quarry sector should be covered by the 2013 regulations. The lack of action on this, and also the delays in passing the Health and Safety Reform Bill, are of concern to MinEx and we urge the Government to maintain its momentum and commitment to safer work places.”

“This is another unfortunate and unnecessary loss of life in a work place and leadership is required, from industry and from Government, to make sure tragedies like this do not repeat. We look forward to Government and industry continuing some of the excellent – albeit in progress – work that has gone on to date in reforming New Zealand’s regime for health and safety in work places,” Mr Baker said.

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