Central Queensland’s reputation as a centre of excellence in mine safety was recognised last Friday, Sept 16, when the Queensland Safety Services group provided a presentation to the leader of China’s State Administration of Work Safety in Brisbane.

The Queensland Safety Services group comprises a range of member companies from Central Queensland including Central Highland Safety Services, Current Training, CQU, IML International, Lennon Training and TAFE’s TQ Mining. The group formed in October 2004 following a Queensland Government Trade Mission to China with the specific aim of increasing training and services exports internationally.

Group spokesperson Douglas White said Vice Minister Zhao Tiechui from the State Administration of Work Safety was looking for new opportunities to work with Queensland to improve mine safety in China. One of the critical areas is the delivery of mine safety training.

Vice Minister Zhao and a 10-member senior delegation will receive a formal presentation from the Rockhampton-based group covering the group’s capabilities in mine safety training and the importance of the region to underground mine safety.

China’s mine safety record, while improving, is still laden by major coalmine explosions and other accidents, and the Chinese Govt recently committed significant financial and human resources to reduce disasters. China still measures fatality rates rather than lost-time injuries.

“Queensland Safety Services is very committed to working with the Chinese from both a humanitarian and trade perspective,” Mr White said.

The visit to Queensland by the Vice Minister heralds recognition of achievements in mine safety management. Many of these achievements have occurred through the work of regional-based training providers like the members of Queensland Safety Services.

“While the Queensland industry has seen some significant improvements in mine safety.... there are still opportunities for reduction of injury rates,” Mr White said. “The Chinese can learn from our experiences here in Queensland and apply them, albeit on a much larger scale. Queensland Safety Services group is hoping to work with Chinese government and regional government safety organisations on sharing the lessons learned here in regional Queensland.”.

Vice Minister Zhao will meet with newly-appointed Natural Resources & Mines Minister Henry Palaszczuk following a meeting with Queensland Safety Services Group, CSIRO, University of Queensland and the State Government’s Safety In Mines Testing & Research Station.