A new High Hazards Unit is to be established following reviews of the Department of Labour’s resources dedicated to the petroleum production and mining industries, Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson announced today.
The new unit will include three inspectors and a chief inspector for each industry, along with three further administrative and research support staff.
It will be funded through surpluses in the Health and Safety in Employment Memorandum Account at a cost of approximately $1.5 million in new funding annually.