The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) extends its condolences after two mine workers were killed in separate incidents at Mt Britton and near Blackwater in Queensland last week.
AWU Queensland/NT Assistant Secretary Mark Raguse said the loss of the workers less than an hour apart last Friday has left the Queensland mining community shocked and saddened.
“While many people were enjoying time with their families over the holidays, two mine workers went to work and never came home,” Mr Raguse said.
“Days like this are a brutal reminder of the risks mine workers face and why safety can never be treated as optional or secondary.
“That both men lost their lives in separate incidents on the same day is deeply distressing. Two families are now facing the unthinkable while their workmates make sense of a loss that should never happen.”
Mr Raguse said the union’s immediate focus is on supporting affected workers as authorities continue to work through the details of both incidents.
“Our priority is supporting members while the full circumstances of each incident are still being established,” he said.
“We expect thorough, open and timely investigations to understand exactly what happened and to ensure every possible lesson is learned.
“Nothing matters more than every worker getting home safely. When that fails twice in one day the entire industry has to stop and reflect.”
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