Safety fears force workers off RGP5 rail line project of BHPB
Friday, 06 Nov 2009
It is reported that workers involved in the construction of a major BHP Billiton railway project in the Pilbara were sent home from work for the third day in a row yesterday due to safety breaches. And ongoing concerns over the project could force workers to stay away for a fourth day today.
A worker on one of the campsites, who wished to remain anonymous, said that everyone involved in the RGP5 rail line project, which spreads about 200 kilometers from Port Headland to Redmont, was told to go back to their camps on Monday. He added that "I've just got sent back to my room because the whole job has been shut down and we haven't been told why yet."
Ms Kelly Quirke spokeswoman of BHPB confirmed there had been a safety breach but she would not reveal what it was. She said that "In reviewing the health and safety performance of one of our contractors working on the RGP5 project, we have become concerned that some of the health and safety requirements are not being met. As a result, we have asked the contractor to meet our requirements before they recommence work. We expect this will occur over the next day or two."
BHP's safety record was openly questioned by Mines Minister Norman Moore earlier this year following a string of worker deaths on the company's WA mines.
