A group of mine inspectors raised concerns after recently visiting a Queensland underground coal mine where they observed and talked with employees of a major contractor preparing to splice a joint on a longwall conveyor belt.

The concerns raised included inappropriate methods of conveying and “on-the-job” storage of hazardous chemicals; lack of awareness of the appropriate personal protective equipment necessary and PPE not being available; and the contractor supervisor being unaware if he was appointed by the site senior executive; and the management systems and plans of the task.

They also found housekeeping in the area was sub-standard; electrical apparatus was not appropriately secured, nor sockets protected from dust and moisture ingress; water lay in one corner near electrical apparatus; and float coal dust was present in the cut through.

“The incident demonstrated significant deficiencies on the part of both the contractor and the mine’s safety and health management system,” the Queensland Mines Inspectorate said in a safety alert released Wednesday.

The inspectorate pointed to a directive from the coal mine chief inspector issued in March last year regarding the management structure required under section 55 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999.

The act requires sufficient senior positions to be able to monitor the familiarisation and training of the workers to implement the mine's safety and health management system; machinery and plant used by contractors to be fit for purpose; and compliance with the relevant parts of the mine's safety and health management system.

The inspectorate also drew attention to the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, section 43, Obligations of Contractors.