WorkSafe shuts down WA iron ore mine over emergency response failures
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A Western Australian open-pit iron ore mine was temporarily shut down earlier this month after WorkSafe inspectors uncovered critical gaps in the site’s emergency response capabilities.
The shutdown, which lasted two days, followed a routine safety inspection by WA’s workplace health and safety regulator. Inspectors issued a prohibition notice halting heavy vehicle operations and restricting light vehicle movement after discovering the site had no mobile plant or vehicle rescue equipment and only limited apparatus to handle emergency situations.
The mine, located more than 100 kilometres from the nearest emergency response agency staffed by volunteers, was found to be in breach of the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022. It was allowed to resume operations only after sourcing the required emergency equipment and committing to train a sufficient number of personnel in its use.
Tony Robertson, Director of WorkSafe Mines Safety, said the enforcement action should serve as a wake-up call to operators across the sector.
“Vehicle and mobile plant interaction is one of WA’s principal mining hazards, and not having the equipment required to respond places workers at significant risk in the event of an emergency,” Robertson said.
“Mobile equipment interactions, single-vehicle rollovers and vehicle fires are some of the most frequently reported events to WorkSafe,” he added. “It’s every WA mine operator’s duty to provide their workers with a safe workplace, and in the event of an emergency, they must be able to respond effectively, even if their geographical location is remote.”
The incident underscores the importance of ensuring emergency readiness even at sites located far from urban centres or staffed response units. According to WorkSafe, having an up-to-date emergency management plan, adequate equipment, and trained personnel are non-negotiable obligations under current WA mining regulations.
WorkSafe inspectors will continue to prioritise emergency response capability in upcoming inspections, particularly in relation to principal mining hazards such as vehicle interaction. The regulator emphasised that geographical remoteness does not lessen an operator’s responsibilities under the law.
The mine involved in the shutdown has not been named by WorkSafe. However, the regulator confirmed that the operator’s prompt corrective actions and compliance commitments enabled the swift resumption of operations.
This latest enforcement action follows recent efforts by WorkSafe to strengthen industry awareness around emergency planning and safety preparedness across WA’s mining sector.