Occupational Health & Safety

The industry is responsible for providing healthy and safe work environments to all workers involved in the extraction of aggregates, manufacture of cement and production of concrete and invests in health and safety through improved technology, plant and transport options. 

  • Policies and procedures are designed to eliminate, or minimise, health and safety risks 
  • The industry is at the forefront of health and safety management through the application of systematic risk management practices, engaging with world’s best practice and through consultation with workers
  • Laws, regulations and codes of practice for monitoring, managing and reporting health and safety matters must be nationally consistent, proportionate, risk based and promote strong health and safety outcomes
  • Cultural awareness of health and safety is the foundation of a healthy and safe workforce and working environment and the industry will continuously improve our culture to ensure the safety, and health of our workers and communities 
  

NAT - SWA Consultation on proposed introduction of new workplace exposure limits for RCS

Posted on 3/12/2024
CCAA remains confident that when all parties work together to actively manage a safety risk to workers across all elements from behavioural & systems approaches to awareness & training (not just an exposure limit), safety improvements can be made.
  

SA - Work Health and Safety (Crystalline Silica Dust) Amendment Bill 2022

Posted on 26/04/2023
A complete ban on working with materials containing crystalline silica dust, either as part of their existing makeup or when crushed or cut, will lead to the shutdown of all quarries and concrete supply and South Australia’s construction activities
  

NSW - Healthy Work Principles

Posted on 5/04/2023
CCAA and our members agree with all seven principles outlined, in particular, healthy work is good for business, healthy work relies on worker participation and that healthy work can positively influence lives.
  

NAT - Prohibition on Engineered Stone

Posted on 31/03/2023
CCAA broadly agrees with the intent of Option 2 which seeks to prohibit the use of engineered stone with a Silica content above 40%.
  

NAT - National Silicosis Prevention Strategy & National Action Plan

Posted on 16/03/2023
While we broadly support Government measures to deliver a nationally organised and consistent approach across jurisdictions, we remain concerned about potential ramifications of some outlined proposals.
  

NSW - Workplace Exposure Standards Silica

Posted on 7/02/2023
The heavy construction materials sector has a strong track record in protecting its workers from the risks of exposure to RCS and we strongly support actions that effectively and meaningfully reduce the incidence of Silicosis and associated diseases.
  

NSW - Draft WHS Regulation 2022

Posted on 7/07/2022
CCAA has provided comment on the exposure draft proposed in WHS Regulation 2022. CCAA has supported option three with concerns on key amendments including: duty to notify the regulator, certificate of competency and maintenance of competence.
  

VIC - Proposed Amendments to the Prescribed Plant Regulations

Posted on 27/05/2022
CCAA recommends that greater clarity of the type of plant that is included or excluded in the definition of prescribed plant is clarified in guidelines as a priority.
  

WA - Comments on Draft Code of Practice: Mine Safety Management System

Posted on 10/12/2021
CCAA welcomes efforts by Government to deliver a safer resources sector. CCAA's submission outlines additional aspects that will improve the proposed Mine Safety Management System to achieve this aim.
  

VIC - Proposed Psychological Health Regulations

Posted on 15/10/2021
CCAA supports measures that effectively improve the health and safety of our workers but these Regulations must also be practical to achieve the required outcomes.
  

VIC - Scope of Proposed Silica Regulations

Posted on 16/09/2021
CCAA recommends enforcing the existing regulations with specific additional requirements; and compliance to the existing WES until SafeWork announces the outcomes of their review.
  

NSW - Response to Proposed Amendments to WHS Mines and Petroleum Act 2013 and Discussion Paper

Posted on 28/05/2021
Our submission provides comment upon those issues and matters which are seen as the most relevant for our sector, with some benefits and other matters identified as concerns.
  

Vic -Proposed OHS Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021

Posted on 18/02/2021
CCAA maintains that the sustainable, efficient supply of affordable heavy construction materials facilitates the delivery of affordable infrastructure that underpins the delivery of many of the draft Strategy’s themes and recommendations.
  

VIC - Draft guideline for a mine or quarry that requires blasting

Posted on 1/02/2021
CCAA supports risk based, performance focused regulation. CCAA also understands that risk-based regulation is the stated aim of DJPR. Unfortunately, this draft guideline is not risk based and is overall too prescriptive.
  

QLD - Submission QGL04 Health Surveillance for Quarries

Posted on 18/08/2020
CCAA has provided key comments on the draft QGL04 – Guide for Respiratory Health Surveillance of workers in Queensland mineral mines and quarries.
  

QLD - Proposed New OEL for RCS for Quarry Operators

Posted on 23/07/2020
CCAA believes there are a five key principles that the Government, RSHQ, and operators can undertake to ensure a positive implementation of the proposed RCS changes for the extractive industry.
  

QLD - Record Keeping Provisions

Posted on 17/03/2020
CCAA notes that the Information Paper proposes that census-submitters will be required to keep records sufficient to verify census details for a period of seven years
  

QLD - Mineral and Energy Resources Legislation Amendment Bill 2020

Posted on 27/02/2020
CCAA continues to have very strong reservations about the introduction of Industrial Manslaughter provisions into the Mining and Quarry Safety and Health Act 1999.
  

QLD - Health Surveillance Provisions

Posted on 12/02/2020
CCAA understands that the draft Regulations will provide that lung examination will become mandatory for all MMQ workers. DNMRE is aware the extractive industry has a broad range of operators and therefore will have a number of impacts on the sector.
  

QLD - Draft industrial Manslaughter Provisions 2019

Posted on 9/12/2019
As the legislation is currently drafted, CCAA does not support the introduction of industrial Manslaughter provisions into the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health act 1999.
  

VIC - Improving the provision of Crystalline Silica Information

Posted on 5/12/2019
CCAA welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to WorkSafe Victoria on the proposed changes to regulations that aim to improve the provision of crystalline silica information across the supply chain.
  

QLD - Parliamentary Committee - Resources Safety and Health Bill 2019

Posted on 18/09/2019
CCAA acknowledges the significant amount of dialogue that occurs between the QLD Minds Inspectorate and the state's quarrying industry. The association is keen for this dialogue and communication to continue with any new entity to regulate safety.
  

QLD - Mobile Health Service

Posted on 20/08/2019
Whilst it appears that the mobile health service may be of use to rural or isolated quarries of QLD, members have noted that the majority of quarries are located close to major cities and towns and therefore most have access to appropriate facilities
  

QLD - Resources Safety and Health Consultation Draft

Posted on 1/08/2019
CCAA is supportive of the draft Bill having provisions for Ministerial direction. We also acknowledge the establishment of RSHQ as an independent statutory body, overseen by a CEO, without a board structure.
  

VIC - Draft WorkSafe guide to RCS

Posted on 3/04/2019
CCAA recommends the WorkSafe Guide is consistent with the 2018 CCAA RCS Guide and will not be completed until after the SafeWork Australia WES has been finalised.