A UNION representative has raised fears about future safety standards at Griffin Coal as the company moves to deny reports that the embattled miner will be sold.
Executive general manager of support services Chris Godfrey said there was no truth to media reports last week claiming Indian parent company Lanco would sell the Collie operation to service its massive debts.
Management met with union representatives on Monday to discuss the possibility of employing a contractor to run the miner’s maintenance and production arms.
CFMEU secretary Gary Wood said he feared that safety standards could fall under such a situation, citing a number of recent deaths on sites employing contractors.
“The last three to four fatalities in the industry have occurred on sites operating under contractors,” he said.
“They have cost demands and deliveries expected of them that put pressure on staff and safety.
“It concerns us – for any contractor we will be seeking to meet with them first and find out about their commitment to safety.”
Mr Wood said he was unsure if the move would bring tangible benefits, but said the move could bring greater expertise in coal production.
“If a contractor uses the appropriate people, people with coal mining experience, then it could benefit the operation,” he said.
“It is about creating a balance with safety, expertise and experience.”
Mr Godfrey said any decision to employ contractors would include a continued emphasis on maintaining the highest possible safety standards.
