ENVIRONMENT

BMA endorses Qld govt interstate travel restrictions

BHP Mitsubishi Alliance has swung its support behind the Queensland government’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by limiting interstate travel to those working in business critical roles in the mining sector.

 Queensland Mines Minister Anthony Lynham.

Queensland Mines Minister Anthony Lynham.

Queensland mines minister Dr Anthony Lynham said Queensland would close its borders from midnight Saturday to interstate fly-in, fly-out workers unless they were critical to a project's operations. 

The ban will exempt people critical to operations, including statutory positions specified in legislation. Statutory positions include people responsible for worker health and safety.

The changes do not affect FIFO or drive-in-drive out workers travelling from within Queensland.

BMA asset president James Palmer said the company would continue to implement measures to protect the health and safety of its people, their families and the communities in which it operates.

 "We are all in this together, and BMA will continue to implement measures to keep our people and communities safe by reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread," he said.

"In doing so, we hope to help keep Queensland strong by supporting jobs and local businesses as we work through this difficult period."

BMA is actively considering further measures to meet the restrictions on interstate travel while further protecting the community and continuing safe mining operations.

These measures include temporarily relocating workers, amending rosters to minimise travel to Queensland, increasing the use of charter flights, and increasing the use of health screening such as temperature checks at mine sites and at Moranbah Airport, which is owned and operated by BMA.

Those extra measures will be in addition to the controls already implemented across BMA sites, accommodation camps and offices, which include social distancing practices, increased cleaning and sanitation, and strict hygiene protocols.

All controls are in line with advice from the Queensland government, Queensland Health and the state's chief medical officer.

BMA is conducting regular audits to confirm the controls' effectiveness, obtain feedback and determine any improvements that can be made.

 

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