Bowen Basin miners explain Covid measures in wake of lockdowns

Mining companies have detailed Covid-19 measures on site in the wake of shock claims of poor controls among the workforce.

Miners are calling out alleged substandard coronavirus protection measures on site as greater Brisbane remains under a Delta strain-induced lockdown.

With about 19,000 fly-in, fly-out workers making up the Bowen Basin workforce, many from southeast Queensland, miners are calling on management to take Covid-19 seriously before they or family members test positive for the virus.

Claims of workers coughing on buses and not wearing masks despite onsite mandates, lax cleaning of common areas including turnstiles and machinery and a lack of social distancing at prestart meetings have been raised.

Major mining companies have rejected further claims of kitchen staff not wearing masks until this week while preparing meals for thousands of Bowen Basin miners.

The Bowen Basin’s biggest mines operators have defended Covid protocols onsite and screening measures for FIFO workers, with some interstate workers not approved to travel to the workplace.

Peabody, which operates the Coppabella Moorvale Joint Venture, has restricted travel to site to only essential workers to the operations.

A spokeswoman said a “small number of interstate FIFO workers from designated hotspots” were not approved to travel to site where management had increased worker briefings on the Covid-19 situation.

That included symptom checks and updated contact tracing lists.

“Site management plans are in place to manage instances where a team member may test positive for Covid-19, with systems in place to implement effective quarantine of the affected employee and relevant close contact co-workers,” she said.

“Similar systems are enacted for employees who develop symptoms of Covid-19 while at work or who are deemed close or casual contacts the result of updates to contract tracing lists.

“Such employees must immediately leave work and observe recommended self-isolation periods until Queensland Health advice is received regarding testing.”

The spokeswoman said Peabody had implemented social distancing at camp accommodation and enhanced cleaning measures at all mine facilities including camps, vehicles and machinery between shifts.

“In accordance with Queensland Government protocols, mask-wearing is mandatory for employees from identified hotspots and in all shared transport with those employees (including buses),” she said.

External visitors are banned from site unless the general manager approved, and face-to-face meetings were “actively discouraged”.

“All employees have access to paid leave for necessary quarantine and self-isolation periods,” she said.

Stanmore Coal said workers from the 11 southeast Queensland lockdown areas were expected to wear a mask onsite at all times where it was “not dangerous to do so”.

“Companies are carrying out health checks/health questionnaires and temperature testing at the QRC facility at Brisbane Airport prior to workers flying,” Stanmore said.

“All workers who have left SEQ since 1am Friday are observing the lockdown protocols at their destinations and are isolating in their accommodation when not at the worksite.

“Where practical, FIFO work teams are being separated from local workforces in the workplace.”

Coronado, which operates Curragh Mine, said it managed Covid-19 risks through “education, social distancing, use of masks and hygiene/cleaning”.

“Workers travelling to the mine are screened to ensure all government health directives are adhered to in terms of hotspots,” a spokeswoman said.

“This screening includes questionnaires and temperature checking where appropriate.

“Lockdowns are managed as per health department requirements and directives.”

An Anglo American spokeswoman said the company continued to monitor the Covid-19 situation daily to “ensure the safety and wellbeing of our people and communities”.

“Across our operations we have Covid-19 controls in place, in line with Queensland government health advice, and are restricting travel from South East Queensland during the lockdown period,” she said.

A BHP spokesman said the company’s mines including South Walker, Blackwater, Broadmeadow, Daunia, Goonyella Riverside, Peak Downs, Saraji and Caval Ridge, had strict protocols in place with “social distancing, cleaning and hand hygiene”.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the safety of employees and resources communities had been the sector’s highest priority since the Covid pandemic began last year.

“Our industry is in regular consultation with the Queensland Premier, chief health officer, Queensland Health and the Department of Resources to make sure everything possible is being done to keep resource industry workers and the communities they live and work in safe,” he said.

“Our sector has gone above and beyond expectations by implementing even stricter guidelines and protocols than requested by the CHO, an effort which has been recognised by the Premier and the CHO.

“We’re extremely grateful that so far, we’ve not had a single case of Covid transmission at a Queensland resource industry site, but we will continue to be vigilant.”

Originally published as Bowen Basin miners explain Covid measures in wake of lockdowns