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Introduction
A devastating second fatality has occurred at QCoal’s Byerwen Coal Mine in Queensland within a month, raising serious concerns about safety protocols and procedures at the site. Operations have been paused as investigations commence.
Previous Incident
This tragic incident follows the death of experienced worker and father-of-five Chris Schloss, 48, less than three weeks ago, believed to have been involved in an accident with a crane.
Response and Investigations
- QCoal: Has ceased operations at the mine.
- Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ): Has enforced a suspension of all heavy vehicle operations at the site and is conducting a thorough investigation.
- Mining and Energy Union: Has called for the mine to cease operations immediately and provide support to the workforce, citing a “horrible sense of deja vu” among workers.
- Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart: Expressed condolences and assured a full investigation.
- Other Agencies: State police and other industry regulators are also involved in the investigation.
Conclusion
The occurrence of two fatalities in such a short period has understandably shaken the mining community and raised significant questions about safety practices at the Byerwen mine. The investigations will be crucial in determining the causes of these tragedies and implementing measures to prevent further loss of life in the mining industry.