The Australian minerals industry is committed to continuous improvement in all areas of health and safety and follows a best practice risk-based approach to managing risks of exposure to the workplace. The number one value and commitment of the Australian minerals industry is the safety and health of its workforce, where everyone goes to work and returns home safely. MCA continues to actively engage in and support the principles and objectives of the harmonisation of health and safety legislation to ensure the benefits of national consistency can be achieved in the longer term.
MCA supports the terms of reference of the taskforce to inform a national approach by undertaking an independent review of the systems in place to protect Australians who are at risk from occupational dust disease. The minerals industry has significant recent experience in relation to coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP) and draws the taskforce’s attention to this.
MCA looks forward to contributing to the work of the National Dust Disease Taskforce to support and improve understanding, prevention and treatment of occupational lung diseases.
