An experienced coal miner has put his job on the line to call out the safety culture within the coal mining industry.
A parliamentary inquiry into coal mining industry safety was held in Moranbah today to examine what changes have been made following an investigation into an explosion at Anglo American's Grosvenor Mine in 2020, which seriously injured five people.
Following the incident, the Coal Mining Board of Inquiry made 65 recommendations to improve health and safety.
Twenty-one submissions were made to the inquiry from numerous parties but there was only one mine worker who attended and stood before the committee.
Scott Leggett grew up in Moranbah and has worked in various roles in the mining industry for 28 years.
He has lost friends and co-workers in serious incidents.
Mr Leggett said he was yet to see any positive changes to practices or activities in the coal mining industry.
He said he had "no doubt there will be repercussions" for his speaking out, but he believed if he did not, miners would continue to be killed.
"There needs to be a storm of voices," he said.
"Decision-makers aren't exposed to the same risk and hazards that everyone else is.
"These resource companies are massive ... what's a coal mine worker got?
"Me to come here and essentially beg."
'Nothing's changed'
Speaking to the Transport and Resources Committee, Mr Leggett raised his key concerns.
He told the inquiry he believed mining companies had paid "minimal" or "lip service" efforts to enhance the industry's safety culture.
"On the ground it's only about ticking boxes and the reality is just get that black stuff out as quick as you can," he said.
"Real action is actually stopping jobs, putting hard controls in place ... not reducing controls and watering them down.
"There's an incentive for people not to report incidents or injuries because if they do, this miss out on a monetary value or gifts of some sort."
Mr Leggett said he believed this needed to be legislatively called out and reviewed regularly.
He also expressed concern about the the high proportion of contract and labour hire employees in the industry.
"They can turn people on and off at a whim in one hour's notice," he said.
"If a labourer or employee starts raising safety concerns, all of a sudden, they're no longer needed."
He said while alerts are more frequent through Resources Safety and Health Queensland, that's where it starts and stops.
In a submission to the inquiry, the company that runs Grosvenor stated:
"At the outset, we confirm that Anglo American has implemented all relevant Board of Inquiry recommendations at our three underground steelmaking coal mines in Queensland ... and our two open cut mines."
"Our group-wide Elimination of Fatalities program covers a wide range of topics, from culture and operational leadership to specific safety tasks.
"We have also strengthened our focus on psychological safety.
"Anglo American has engaged with industry experts to review and amend its safety performance measures and reward structures.
"We have developed a set of leading indicators that will be adopted."
What next?
In March, mining contractor Gavin Feltwell was killed in an underground incident at Moranbah North.
On Friday night, his plaque will be added to the Moranbah Miners' Memorial at their annual service at sunset.
The Mayor of the Isaac Regional Council Anne Baker said mining deaths always caused a ripple effect through the community.
"People need to be able to go to work and come home to their families," she said.
Ms Baker said council will be watching closely to see what the Resources and Transport Committee conclude from their inquiry.
Mr Leggett said weeks before the death of Mr Feltwell this year, he wrote to "every politician in Queensland" and got "nothing back"
"I got to work and I come home and my daughter asked, 'did somebody die at work today daddy?'
"I've always got hope.
"They [the committee] are decision-makers and people of influence.
"Whether they are Labor or LNP or One Nation ... if they all stand together, they can make a difference."
The committee is expected to present its findings to parliament in February next year.
