State of Play WESTERN REGION: Traditional sandstone road base materials in the Horsham area are under close scrutiny following at least two separate failures in recently completed new road constructions in the city of Horsham.PETER LANGLANDS SOUTHERN REGION: Work has slowed down in April. Enquiries for new work are not happening at the moment.DAVID ELDRIDGE …

Funding for the Extractive Industries to Remain Last issue it was reported that funding for training in the Extractive  Industries Training Package was to be cut due to a recommendation from OTTE. At a recent meeting with OTTE,  they  reported that the industry consultations to date have been very useful and in light of some …

Land tax review The Land Tax (Amendment) Act 2004 came into effect on 28th April, 2004.  There are two important changes.  The good news is the land tax rate has not been increased for this coming year, and hopefully reduced for the tax year of 2005. The amount of land tax for the year 2004 …

Recently, Wendy Cook, Competition Administrator, Victorian Mine Rescue Competition, contacted the CMPA in regards to establishing a Mine Rescue Competition for surface quarry and mine operators similar to that presently run for underground operators. The Underground Mine Rescue Competition is highly regarded throughout the underground mining industry as providing a practical training experience to participants. …

We’re not sure where this amazing photo was taken, but we do know it’s one of the most dangerous and downright ridiculous Absolute Shockers we have ever published! How little force would it take for one of these ad hoc props to slide out, bringing the utility (pick-up truck) crashing down on the head of …

In last month’s newsletter we discussed how members could plan for a fire or something similar that affected our office and computer equipment and records. This newsletter we consider some other potential disasters and how to avert them—or recover from them. Step 4 Consider some other “disasters” and other contingency plans We don’t expect CMPA …

Hello to all CMPA members.  My name is David Crosby and I am the OH&S manager at Quantec Solutions.  I am making this addition to the CMPA newsletter to tell you how Quantec Solutions developed its Oxy Fuel Hazard and Risk Assessment management system with the help of the CMPA. About 10 years ago, I …

MINING FATALITY: FITTER, TRANSPORT/PROCESSING FACILITY, WESTERN AUST. It has been reported that a 26 year old fitter, died after being struck on the head by the splitter gate in a transfer chute at an iron ore transport/processing facility on the coast of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The fatality occurred on Saturday, 1 May. …

Here is some important information about the Dial Before You Dig Service: Dialling 1100 Before You Dig helps prevent damage and disruption to Australia’s vast underground pipe and cable network which carries many essential services, including our electricity, gas, communications and water. Neglecting to dial 1100 before excavating can lead to costly disruption to essential …

The CMPA is currently undertaking a major project to create an industry “Contract for the Supply of Materials for Major Works”.  This initiative will be the first launch of an all-encompassing document to create the best possible supply and payment practices available to our industry. The project is being undertaken for the same reasons that …