Stop work notices loom over BHP Billiton following spate of mine deaths

The State Government has taken the unprecedented step of ordering stop work notices for any breach of workplace conditions related to BHP Billiton sites until the problem is fixed.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore made the announcement today following high-level talks with BHP Billiton executives last week to discuss the recent spate of deaths at the company's worksites.

"There have been five fatalities this financial year at sites operated by BHP Billiton, and the State Government will not stand by and let this state of affairs continue," Mr Moore said.

"Mines Inspectors will now issue prohibition notices to BHP under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 - basically a stop work notice - for any breach of work practices or work place conditions that may constitute a hazard to workers."

Until now Mines Inspectors have generally issued improvement notices for breaches of worksite conditions - orders that allowed work to continue while problems were addressed.

The Minister said the new policy was a result of State Mining Engineer Martin Knee taking the unprecedented step of using his discretionary powers under the Act.

"Improvement notices will no longer be issued to BHP Billiton. If there is any breach, an immediate prohibition notice will prevent work from continuing at that particular worksite until the problem is resolved," Mr Moore said.

"This policy will remain in place at least until I have seen the report of a Section 45 review currently under way into safety management systems at all of BHP Billiton's Pilbara iron ore mine sites."

The Minister said the Section 45 review - requiring independent engineering studies of BHP worksites to be carried out - was expected to report by April 30.

"There has been a lot of work put into this document and my understanding is that it will be a comprehensive report into the existing policies, processes and systems that relate to BHP's operations," he said.

"There will no doubt be many areas identified where BHP can lift its game to improve worker safety."

Mr Moore expressed confidence that BHP Billiton was carrying out its own plan to address the issue.

"During talks with BHP last week, the company undertook to work closely with the Department of Mines and Petroleum to ensure that worker safety is a priority," he said.

"BHP has advised me that it will suspend all non-essential night shift work across its Pilbara operations, enhance its fatigue management plan, hold contractor safety workshops, move its rail operations from under the jurisdiction of the 'Mines Safety and Inspection Act to the Rail Safety Act', improve its traffic management standards and strengthen behavioural safety programs."

The Minister said safety in the mining industry was a priority for the State Government.

"I am determined that our industry leads the world in safe practices. Safety cannot be and will not be allowed to become, a casualty of the global crisis," he said.

"In the current climate of increased economic pressures, everyone has a responsibility to ensure that safety performance does not slip."