News Release

SMELTER BLAST DEMANDS INQUIRY, IMPROVEMENTS

8 March 2007

South Australia's peak union body SA Unions is demanding an independent inquiry into today's near fatal blast at Port Pirie's Zinifex lead and copper smelter.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says the inquiry must form the basis of an overhaul of safety standards at the facility.

"Three blasts in three years show that Zinifex has allowed standards to slip."

"Not only should Zinifex face prosecution for failing to maintain a safe working environment, but it must be made to lift its game", Ms Giles says.

"I was utterly appalled to hear Zinifex management stating on radio that this was not a serious incident.  An explosion which has given a man serious burns to 50% of his body and forced the shut down of the plant is not regarded as serious?  That sort of statement demonstrates exactly why this operation must be fully investigated and cleaned up."

"Even small safety breaches are a massive concern when dealing with extremely dangerous substances such as superheated molten metals.  Mining and smelting are extremely dangerous jobs and demand the highest safety standards."

"We need action before lives are lost."

Ms Giles pointed to Santos's response to the Moomba explosion as an example of the model Zinifex should follow.

"Santos immediately acknowledged that improvements could and must be made, and sat down with unions to collaboratively overhaul safety standards."

"We want Zinifex's bosses to sit down with the union representing its workers and achieve standards that ensure people are putting their lives on the line when they go to work", Ms Giles says.

"The federal government's unfair work laws have stripped away many protections for workers - safety standards amongst them.  We know we can't rely on federal laws to protect workers, so that's why negotiated standards must be struck as a matter of urgency", Ms Giles says.