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Back to Policies

Safety and health

The health and wellbeing, including psychosocial and mental health, of the mining workforce is the industry’s number one priority. The minerals industry is committed to reducing workplace fatalities, building respectful workplaces, eliminating sexual harassment and controlling the risks associated with occupational illnesses and diseases.

Overview

Every individual, regardless of where they work, who they work for, how they are employed or the tasks they undertake should expect the highest standards of safety.

The MCA recognises this requires continuous effort and leadership.

MCA member companies commit to an approach based on the following principles:

  • All fatalities, injuries, harm and occupational illnesses are preventable
  • All identified hazards must be eliminated or controlled to minimise harm or the risk of harm
  • Harassment, bullying, discrimination, and other unlawful behaviours must be eliminated from the Australian mining industry
  • No task is so important that it cannot be done safely and respectfully.

Everyone in the industry has a personal responsibility for the safety, health and wellbeing of themselves and their work mates, as well as contributing to positive and respectful workplaces.

This includes speaking up without fear of retribution when unsafe work practices and unacceptable behaviours occur.

Policy Priorities

Advocacy

Strengthen and influence the safety and health regulations, legislation, codes of practice and guidance by establishing relationships with key stakeholders and sharing industry experience, subject matter expertise and leading practice.

Advocacy

Collaborate and coordinate with government and other stakeholders to develop understanding and confidence in industry.

Advocacy

Minismise unintended consequences of new legislation and regulatory changes through campaigning of mining positions to decision-makers.

Guidance

Enhance industry performance through advancement and promotion of leading safety and health and wellbeing initiatives

Guidance

Promote the Australian minerals industry through education, demonstration and leadership.

Research

Ensure current and leading practices are informed and add value to mining in practice. Share historical information and new learnings from across the industry to improve health and safety and maintain the highest standards of health and safety across the industry.

Related Resources

Explore more
  • Safe Healthy and Respectful Workplaces Policy
  • National Industry Code to Eliminate Sexual Harassment Policy
  • ICMM Health and safety critical control management - good practice guide
  • Management of Rockfall Risks in Underground Metalliferous Mines

Related Articles

  • 10 February 2025

    MCA Pre-Budget Submission 2025-26

    Read more
  • 03 October 2024

    Statement on QLD fatality

    Read more
  • 18 September 2024

    Statement on NSW Fatality

    Read more

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Economic Policy

Australian mining is a nation builder and global leader. It is Australia’s largest exporter, company tax payer and investor in infrastructure.

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Workforce, innovation and skills

A highly skilled and technologically advanced future workforce will be required for the specialist mining occupations coming online.

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Trade and Investment

Trade, investment and economic co-operation maximise opportunities for Australia’s mining and minerals processing industry to boost national income, generate government revenue and create high value jobs.

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Energy and climate change

To achieve net zero emissions, Australia requires a stable policy framework enabling all low emissions technologies to participate in competitive decarbonisation of the economy.

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 Workplace relations

Australia needs a modern and adaptable workplace system that attracts investment, drives sustainable wage growth, supports communities and contributes to national prosperity.

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Sustainability

The Australian minerals industry is committed to responsible mining through continual improvement of environmental stewardship and social performance and by contributing to sustainable development.

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