The 20th Queensland Mining and Industry Health and Safety conference this year has the theme of “Breaking New Ground" – venturing into new ways to improve mine safety.

The four-day conference is a joint effort by the Queensland Resources Council; the Department of Mines and Energy; the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union; and the Australian Workers’ Union.

The conference’s speakers include New South Wales Detective Inspector Peter Baines, Rio Tinto senior adviser Oscar Groeneveld, Canadian safety consultant Corrie Pitzer and Qantas occupational health and safety general manager Graeme Peel.

Conference chairman and QRC chief executive Michael Roche said the health and safety performance in Queensland mines had improved with lost time injuries falling from more than 900 a decade ago to 351 in 2006-07.

“However, as the figures improve, the effort and commitment required to maintain this trend increases, and the conference will present ideas and initiatives that will push the boundaries and take us into challenging new ground,” Roche said.

Safety innovation awards will be presented at next week’s conference.