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5 November 2012

Mine inspectors cleared of individual responsibility

The Public Service Association says the Royal Commission into the Pike River tragedy confirms that mine inspectors were under immense pressure and requests for extra resourcing were ignored.

The Commission’s report clears the inspectors involved with the Pike River mine from any individual responsibility and points to systemic failures within the Department of Labour.

It states that it was not a case of individual fault but of departmental failure to resource, manage and adequately support a diminished mining inspectorate.

PSA National Secretary Brenda Pilott says “what the report shows is that while the mine inspectors were well-qualified and capable, their workload was formidable and they were let down by a lack of support and resourcing. In fact the Department of Labour was warned about the lack of capacity within the inspectorate and the potential for another mining disaster early in 2010, and a request for a third inspector was turned down.”

The PSA also believes the government needs to show strong commitment to implementing the recommendation made by the Royal Commission to set up a new crown agency solely focussed on health and safety.

Brenda Pilott says it’s concerning to hear the Prime Minister delaying immediate action on this by saying it may need further investigation.

“The Royal Commission has given a very clear signal about the need for a cohesive and focussed health and safety agency and has made it its number one recommendation. It would be unacceptable to see the government stop short of that.”

“With significant restructuring currently underway and the swallowing up of the Department of Labour into the new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, it would make sense to do this sooner rather than later. It would lessen the impact on staff and give some urgency to the crucial task of strengthening health and safety regulation,” she says.

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