Mine workers from across NSW are joining together in a new campaign from the NSW Minerals Council to demonstrate the mining industry’s support for COVID-19 vaccination.
This campaign will give voice to the thousands of people in mining communities rolling up their sleeves and doing their part now, and throughout the pandemic.
It follows the industry’s strong response since early 2020 with national health and safety protocols implemented and strengthened at mining operations in NSW and across Australia.
The latest example is the commencement of Rapid Antigen Testing at a number of NSW mine sites including BHP’s Mt Arthur Coal Mine near Muswellbrook last month. This has given these mines the ability to screen people from potential high risk areas for potential COVID infection before they enter the workplace.
Mining companies are also supporting the widespread vaccination of their workers with initiatives including vaccination hubs at mine sites and incentive programmes, including vouchers for vaccinated staff to spend with local businesses.
NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said protecting our mining workforce and their families would help keep communities safe across regional NSW.
“Health and safety is the mining industry’s top priority, and the pandemic has brought this commitment into sharp focus,” he said.
“There are significant additional measures in place at mine sites across the state to minimise the risk of transfer of coronavirus in our regions. This includes testing and screening, shift changes, mask wearing, operational changes to facilitate social-distancing, working from home where possible and more.
“Swift and strict implementation of these measures have enabled mines across NSW to continue to operate safely throughout the pandemic, protecting jobs and the NSW economy.
“This new advertising campaign is the next phase of our ongoing efforts to protect mining communities in regional NSW by encouraging as many people as possible to get vaccinated.
“It’s great to see so many NSW miners already doing so. Increasing vaccination rates is our best way out of lockdowns and how we get our local businesses going and our families and communities back together again.”