Important Things Which Are Required During Mining Camp Accommodation

By Author: Traymark
Total Articles: 3
Comment this article

Most mine sites in Australia, especially in Queensland and Western Australia are located in remote areas where there isn’t any accommodation for mine workers. It’s usually not practical because of the distances involved for most workers to commute from their homes to the mine sites, so mining camp accommodation is provided as part of the workers contract with the mining companies. This allows the minors to enjoy safe, clean, quality accommodation close to the places they are working, while they are working at the mine site.

In 1994 the Mines Safety and Inspection ACT was introduced to look after the wellbeing of all the employees living in the mining camps.

How does this Act apply to workers?

Employers who provide accommodation for their workers are required to maintain the premises or mining camps in such a way that none of the occupants are exposed any hazards if:

The mining camp is controlled or owned by the associated mine owners
It’s situated a gazette town site or metropolitan area
And workers are required to live there because there’s no other, reasonable ...
... alternative accommodation, in the area

Just as the employers have an obligation to provide quality accommodation; workers have “a duty of care” to look after the property they use and bring any matters of health or safety to the attention of the employer or camp manager.

Emergency Planning

In most exploration camps, mining camp and construction camps they are isolated and in remote areas where they could be at the mercy of extreme weather conditions such as cyclones and flooding or bush fires.

Because of this, it’s necessary for all mining camps have an adequate emergency response plan that provides for general as well as medical evacuations and includes an emergency response plan, including plans for medical and general evacuations.

They are expected to also take into account the needs of any other employees and members of the local community around them.

Some Public Health Factors that need to be considered

The Quality of the air around mining camp accommodation in regards to

- Overall air quality, noise and light pollution (smoke, dust, ask smells etc.)
- Overall water quality, including potable, recreational water bodies, waste and recycled water
- Land hazard management, including pest control, insect nuisance and disease issues
- Radiation including microwave and Wi-Fi
- Workforce Health including safety gear and precautions
- Community health programs
- Availability of safe drinking water that’s tested by The local health department
- Appropriate waste water treatment systems
- All supplied food must be safe and nutritious in compliance with the 2008 Food Act
- There must be adequate toilet, hand washing, showering and laundry facilities available
- Swimming pools must be installed and maintained in the appropriate health and safety standards of the Health, Aquatic Facilities Regulations 2007
- Fitness facilities should be available to help relieve work related issues such as Fatigue, Working long hours, The effects of alcohol and drugs, Overall mental health and personal wellbeing

In general all mining camp accommodation needs to be safe and clean and provide the needs of each worker while staying in the camp. Mining camps need to supply proper nourishing and nutritious meals, adequate sleeping and relaxing facilities as well as proper sanitary personal washing, toiletry and laundry areas