The Queensland Mining Council expects more than 400 people to attend the conference, which is designed to promote the sharing and development of safety programs and initiatives

"With the recent introduction of risk-based mine safety legislation in Queensland, industry is required to manage risk with the full involvement of the workforce," the QMC said.

"With this in mind, this year's conference theme is 'Health and Safety My Commitment Our Involvement'."

It said the annual Health and Safety Innovation Awards, which traditionally are presented in conjunction with the conference, would this year be given greater prominence.

"Improvements in health and safety often come from a good idea, an idea that to some may seem simple, but to others is just what they have been searching for," conference chairman Barrie Mathias said.

"That's why this year the awards have been incorporated into the conference program," he said.

"This initiative is consistent with the conference's emphasis on the promotion of ideas which can be practically implemented by delegates when they return to their operations."

The event, to be held in Townsville, was first conducted in 1989.