Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

drainage, mine ventilation, spontaneous combustion and strata control.
The regulations are very comprehensive, and the underground section contains provisions
for emergencies, rescue and communication, electrical equipment and installations,
explosives and explosive power tools, gas monitoring, mechanical, mine design, mining
operations, ventilation and working environment.
Labour will seek to align the current mining safety legislation with the Queensland
State legislation within a New Zealand context.
We will examine how New Zealand and Australia can share mines safety standard setting
oversight and enforcement for more effective safety regulation.
Until they were removed by the National government in 1992, check inspectors were
democratically-elected officials responsible solely for the safety of workers with the power,
amongst others, to order the immediate withdrawal of miners from a mine or part of a mine
that the check inspector deems dangerous.
Check inspectors were (and are in Australia) experienced senior miners who have the trust
of their fellow workers. Unlike company employed health and safety staff, check inspectors
are responsible to the miners, not the company.
Labour will re-instate check inspectors in New Zealand mines.
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