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Calls for BHP safety investigation after another mining death

Posted September 5, 2008 17:00:00
Updated September 5, 2008 17:09:00

Iron ore train in the Pilbara of WA

BHP has suspended non-essential iron ore operations in WA until further notice. (BHP Billiton: User supplied)

The Australian Workers Union has called for a complete safety investigation of BHP Billiton's iron ore operations in WA after a second death at its Yandi mine site in a fortnight.

A 19-year-old Northam man was killed when his vehicle collided with a dump truck yesterday afternoon.

It is the third death at a BHP Pilbara mine site in six weeks.

WA Branch Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, Stephen Price, says the work safety culture on mine sites needs to be investigated.

"It's one thing to say we've got all these policies and procedures in place, but if it's not occuring out on the coal face, then you're going to get these instances continually occurring," he said.

BHP has suspended its non-essential iron ore operations in WA until further notice.

A Coronial Inquiry is underway, and B-H-P says it's working with the operator of the mine to assess the cause of the accident.

Tags: disasters-and-accidents, workplace-accidents, mining, wa, perth-6000

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