Sharp rise in incidents, risks reported

Solid Energy's Spring Creek site has recorded a sharp rise in serious incidents and risks.

The Spring Creek underground mine, near Greymouth, recorded 36 "events or identified risks to people which were rated at the highest [very high] category" last year.

The figure, obtained by The Press under the Official Information Act, compared with just eight incidents in 2008.

There were 19 injury incidents per every million man hours – 10 more than the previous period.

However, the state-owned enterprise said the 36 issues reflected an injury risk, "not necessarily actual incidents".

It said it was encouraging staff to report incidents and potential hazards.

"An increase in numbers does not necessarily mean a site has become a less safe place," the company said.

"We contend that Spring Creek is an example of this. As the workforce has become more assured that identifying a risk will result in corrective action, we have seen a corresponding increase in reporting."

Examples included reports of slippery floors underground that led to improved roadways.

"Many were not obviously life-threatening, but were judged to be of sufficient seriousness to require swift action."

Solid Energy's Stockton opencast mine, near Westport, recorded 14 serious-incident or risk reports last year, compared with 73 in 2008.

In October 2008, the company said it needed to improve safety at Stockton after several potentially serious incidents.

Solid Energy's national health and safety and environment manager, Mark Pizey, said there had been "big improvements", although the increase in time lost to injury at Spring Creek was "very much contrary to our desires".

"What we are seeing at Stockton is an improvement in hazard identification and incident reporting and risk management," he said.

"The numbers demonstrate the benefit of this approach."

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union assistant national secretary Ged O'Connell said Solid Energy now ran the Stockton site in an alliance with Downer EDI, ensuring more direct safety control.

Spring Creek was a "tough mine to mine" and the conditions underground meant workers traditionally looked "out for each other" and reported dangers, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News