Health and safety

Providing a safe working environment is central to Macarthur Coal in meeting its overall business objectives.

Macarthur Coal provides systems of work, training, equipment, resources and structure to create the safest possible work environment for employees, its contractors and visitors.

The Company measure it safety performance through the total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR). The is a recognised safety benchmark within the mining sector and captures all lost time, disabling and medical treatment injuries that occur throughout the business.

As a measurement tool the TRIFR provides an oversight of the safety performance of the Company and brings reporting in line with current mining industry practice.

Both Middlemount and Moorvale Mines have recorded a TRIFR below that of the Surface Coal Mining Industry rate.



Health and Safety Policy

At Macarthur Coal, we are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment where people are protected from injury or illness. We maintain an effective health and safety management system incorporating risk management elements and practices, with clearly defined and measurable objectives.

To demonstrate commitment to achieving and maintaining our health and safety objectives we will:

  • Comply with, or exceed, regulatory requirements
  • Provide sound leadership and set clear accountabilities at all levels
  • Effectively communicate accountabilities and expectations regarding this Policy, objectives and performance
  • Provide adequate resources, support and training so that people can carry out their duties safely and efficiently
  • Consult with and actively involve employees, contractors and other stakeholders to maximise effectiveness of our policies, standards, procedures and work practices
  • Establish forums to keep personnel informed and provide for open communication
  • Identify the direct causes of all incidents and take necessary steps to prevent a recurrence
  • Maintain effective health surveillance and occupational rehabilitation programs
  • Routinely measure, review and audit the adequacy of our systems and procedures, and compliance with set objectives.

Our polices will be reviewed from time to time to ensure they are adequate, encourage best practice, and drive our planning, implementations, review and continuous improvement processes.



Health and safety initiatives

Macarthur Coal has an extensive health monitoring programme that helps employees improve their health and wellbeing. Each employee is eligible for reimbursement of up to $1,500 each year for gym memberships or other activities that increase their health and wellbeing. As part of this process, the Coppabella Mine is delivering a 12 month health programme to be run on site. This will run in conjunction with programmes being facilitated at Macarthur Coal's Terowie accommodation village, which houses employees in the Bowen Basin.

In 2010, the Company's health programme was reviewed and several additional health risks were added to supplement the noise and dust risk profile including vibration monitoring, lighting and asbestos. Macarthur Coal also provided a remedial deep tissue therapist at Terowie accommodation village once a fortnight to assist in the management of soft tissue injuries and prevent further injury to employees.

In 2010, the Coppabella Mine started voluntary testing for obstructive sleep apnoea to help employees who suffer from the condition. The Company also provides flu shots, skin checks, health assessments and an Employee Assistance Program with Centacare. This year the skin checks process diagnosed several employees with melanoma type skin conditions and they were referred for treatment to their medical practitioner.