Australia: Court fines BHP $78,000 over worker's death; union disappointed over magistrate's comment that co's culpability is at 'lower end of seriousness'
"BHP fined $78,000 over worker's death", 10 August 2024
Mining giant BHP has been fined $78,000 over the death of an employee in December 2018, according to the Mining and Energy Union (MEU).
BMA (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance) Coal Operations was sentenced after the death of Allan Houston, who was trapped upside down in mud after his bulldozer rolled down a steep embankment on December 31, 2018, at Saraji mine.
...MEU Queensland President Mitch Hughes ... said they were disappointed with the Magistrate's comments that BHP's culpability was "towards the lower end of seriousness."
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The sentencing comes in the same week an employee of QCoal died at its Byerwen coking coal mine in Queensland, according to Hughes.
James Black, QCoal Group executive, confirmed the passing of Chris Schloss in a statement on Sunday.
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The executive said they are working with investigators and the police on the incident.
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