Workplace Standards, an Australian government body designed to protect workers, has ordered a Tasmanian mine contractor to cut back on its work week at the Mt. Lyell copper mine on Tasmania’s west coast.
The move forces Barminco to find an alternative to its 56-hour schedule and comes in response to concerns about workplace fatigue. The companies have been given a month to comply. The notice affects half the mine’s 250 workers.
He added that employees of Copper Mines of Tasmania have already moved to an even-time roster and that only Barminco employs the 56-hour week schedule.
An independent report commissioned by the Tasmanian government last year found excessive working hours were common in the Tasmanian mining industry. Seven miners have died on the job in the past five years.
It’s expected Barminco will appeal the decision by Workplace Standards.
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