Media
You can find our media releases and public statements here, with the most recent releases at the top of the page. In addition to what is listed on this page, you may be interested in relevant media statements made by the Minister for Resources, which includes the RSHQ portfolio.
Mining hazards front and centre at industry meeting
10 Apr 2024
The brilliant minds that keep miners safe across Queensland have met in Brisbane to address key issues facing the industry.
Van explosion sparks warning for holidaymakers over Easter long weekend
27 Mar 2024
The state's resources regulator is warning that a common cooking appliance could become a bomb on board vehicles like caravans, 4WDs and vans, if used incorrectly.
Leg crush injury recreated to improve safety at Queensland mines
25 Mar 2024
A new animated video that recreates the moment a mine worker was badly injured is being sent to mines across Queensland.
Free lung checks return to Rockhampton
19 Mar 2024
N.B. Bookings are essential for this service. RSHQ kindly asks that media promote the following line when writing stories: "To book, call the Mine Dust Health Support Service on 1300 445 715" or link to this website: Contact | Miners' health matters (rshq.qld.gov.au).
RSHQ launches investigation into Bauhinia gas leak
05 Mar 2024
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) was informed of a gas leak to a pipeline near Bauhinia earlier this morning.
Medical experts join forces to fight black lung disease
05 Mar 2024
International medical experts and radiologists from across Queensland have met in Brisbane to continue to improve the way they screen for diseases like black lung and silicosis.
Mount Isa retired miner encourages his mates to get free lung checks
20 Feb 2024
N.B. Bookings are essential for this service. RSHQ kindly asks that media promote the following line when writing stories: "To book, call the Mine Dust Health Support Service on 1300 445 715" or link to this website: Contact | Miners' health matters (rshq.qld.gov.au)
HEART5 celebrates two-year anniversary with free lung checks in Cairns
01 Feb 2024
Former and retired Queensland mine and quarry workers in Cairns are being urged to sign up for a free lung check when the mobile health truck 'HEART5' visits this month.
Explosives regulator warns against illegal fireworks on Australia Day
24 Jan 2024
The state's resources regulator is reminding Queenslanders to do the right thing and leave the fireworks to licenced professionals over the upcoming long weekend.
Investigation launched into Saraji mine fatality
16 Jan 2024
Queensland's regulator for the resources sector, Resources Safety and Health Investigation (RSHQ), has launched an investigation into an incident at Saraji mine on Monday 15 January 2024.
New training to improve safety in Queensland's resources sector
11 Jan 2024
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) has developed a new training course that aims to share the lessons from historic disasters, to improve safety and health outcomes in mines and quarries.
Common kitchen product could protect you from a gas explosion this Christmas
21 Dec 2023
If it bubbles, you're in trouble.
Lifechanging free lung checks on offer for Hervey Bay former miners
19 Dec 2023
The Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct will be the next stop for a mobile health unit called HEART5, that helps detect mine dust lung diseases, like black lung and silicosis.
Illegal fireworks cause lifelong scars for Queensland mother
16 Dec 2023
Lisa Vanderweyde still gets emotional every time she talks about the horrific incident that left her scarred for life on New Years Eve in 2016.
Safety warning for gas appliances damaged by Cyclone Jasper
15 Dec 2023
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) has issued an urgent warning to businesses and homeowners following Cyclone Jasper.
Fireworks injury sparks new recommendations for operators
08 Dec 2023
The regulator for fireworks in Queensland has today recommended changes to the way certain fireworks are used, after a woman was hit by fireworks debris.
Hidden danger found on Qld sugarcane farms
06 Dec 2023
Inspectors at Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) are urging sugarcane farmers to check their properties for potentially deadly explosives.
Storm season increases risk to worker safety at Qld mines
28 Nov 2023
The state's safety regulator for the resources industry is warning mine sites to prepare for storm season and put the safety of workers first.
Free lung tests come to the Sunshine Coast
21 Nov 2023
N.B. Bookings are essential for this service. RSHQ kindly asks that media promote the following line when writing stories: "To book, call the Mine Dust Health Support Service on 1300 445 715" or link to this website: Contact | Miners' health matters (rshq.qld.gov.au)
Dugald River mine fatality investigation update
17 Nov 2023
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) investigators have presented a brief of evidence to the Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor regarding the mine fatality at Dugald River earlier this year.
New safety campaign to reduce gas explosions and serious injuries
06 Nov 2023
Business owners in the hospitality and catering industry are being urged to put gas safety on their menu, as a new campaign launches in time for the busy holiday period.
Partial amputation triggers warning from mine safety regulator
26 Oct 2023
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is urging mine sites to be more hands on when it comes to preventing one of the mining industry's most common incidents.
Free lung tests come to Mackay and Proserpine
19 Oct 2023
Graham Bowcock, 74, is living proof that getting a lung checkup can change your life for the better.
Joint taskforce cracks down on unsafe transportation of explosives
06 Oct 2023
A joint taskforce has found an alarming number of vehicles carrying explosives across Queensland have defects, putting road users at risk.
El Niño event increases heat risk at Queensland mines
05 Oct 2023
Queensland mine workers are starting to experience the effects of hot weather conditions as summer approaches and the country enters an El Niño weather event.
Memorial service pays tribute to lives lost at Queensland mines
19 Sep 2023
Queensland's resources sector today remembered the 1,506 lives lost at Queensland mines and quarries for Miners Memorial Day.
RSHQ officers ensure Riverfire goes off with a bang
31 Aug 2023
Officers from Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) are performing their final safety inspections on fireworks before Riverfire kicks off for another year.
Free health checks detect lung diseases in retired miners
30 Aug 2023
A mobile health unit that travels around Queensland offering free lung checks for retired and former Queensland mine and quarry workers is coming to Mount Isa from 18 – 20 September 2023.
Emergency exercises prepare coal mine workers for the real deal
18 Aug 2023
Queensland’s biggest underground coal mine exercise is about to kick off for another year, and for the first time Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is releasing footage from the mock emergency.
Qld mining industry caught dozing off on dozer rollovers
15 Aug 2023
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is cracking down on Queensland coal mines that are failing to protect workers from dozer rollover incidents.
RSHQ spots dangerous pattern at Queensland coal mines
03 Aug 2023
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) officials are calling on Queensland coal mines to improve the way they operate articulated mobile cranes, following a spike in incidents.
Feedback wanted from industry workers to improve safety
26 Jul 2023
The Competency Standard (CS) is now under review by the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate within Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), and they’re seeing feedback from industry insiders through a discussion paper that’s been released today.
Border operation prevents illegal fireworks entering Queensland
12 Jul 2023
Officers from Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) undertook a three day blitz on motorists entering Queensland from the Northern Territory to conduct safety checks and seize illegal fireworks after Territory Day.
Doctor training program continues to support medicals for miners
28 Mar 2023
Doctors approved by Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) to carry out medicals for mine and quarry workers must successfully complete RSHQ’s Statutory Medicals for Mine and Quarry Workers training program.
RSHQ’s response to the Transport and Resource Committee’s inquiry into coal mining industry safety
17 Feb 2023
RSHQ made a number of submissions during the Transport and Resource Committee’s inquiry into coal mining industry safety and welcomes the release of its report.
Compliance directives issued after serious mining incidents
08 Feb 2023
Resources Safety and Health Queensland has issued compliance directives to mine operators following a series of serious incidents at Central Queensland coal mines involving mobile equipment operating on coal stockpiles.
Confidential complaints and incident reporting
19 Jan 2023
Court refuses stay of enforcement action against former mine officials
12 May 2022
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) has successfully resisted an application to suspend the effect of enforcement action taken against two former officials of North Goonyella mine, while an appeal of the enforcement action is underway.
Industry leader briefings reinforce the need for change
04 May 2022
Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ) today released its annual briefing for the resources industry to provoke thought, discussion and action from industry leaders.
Quarry operators on notice to improve safety performance
14 Dec 2021
A quarry operator in the Darling Downs region has been fined $45,000 for failing to discharge its obligation to ensure that risk to workers at the quarry was at an acceptable level.
Doctor’s registration with RSHQ suspended for substandard medical examinations
01 Nov 2021
On 13 September 2021, a doctor’s approval under the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme was suspended for 12 months after failing to show due care and skill in carrying out medical examinations.
Former North Goonyella mine officials’ statutory certificates of competency cancelled
12 Oct 2021
On 11 October 2021, the Chief Executive Officer, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) cancelled the statutory certificates of competency of two former officials at North Goonyella coal mine, finalising an enforcement process relating to an underground fire that occurred at the mine in 2018.
Queensland Coal Mining Board of Inquiry’s part 2 report tabled in parliament
11 Jun 2021
Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) welcomes the Queensland Coal Mining Board of Inquiry’s part 2 report, tabled in the Queensland parliament on Monday 14 June 2021 by the Honourable Scott Stewart MP, Minister for Resources.
Quarry operator fined $180,000 for breaching safety obligations resulting in the loss of a young man’s life
26 Feb 2021
On 25 February 2021 a quarry operator and two of its employees pleaded guilty and were sentenced in the Emerald Industrial Magistrates Court for offences relating to failing to ensure risk to persons from quarrying operations was at an acceptable level.
Company fined $60,000 for failing in its general obligation to keep risk to an acceptable level
04 Feb 2021
On 29 January 2021, the defendant company pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for failing in its general obligation to take all reasonable steps to ensure no person was exposed to an unacceptable level of risk in relation to high pressure cleaning equipment (operating plant) that a worker was using at a gas wellsite near Clifford Queensland.
An individual was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay $2,000 in compensation for unlicensed gas work
23 Jan 2021
On 18 March 2021, the defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court for carrying out unlicensed gas work and failing to comply with safety requirements by leaving an open-ended pipe uncapped. The defendant was also ordered to pay $2,000 in compensation to the injured worker.
RSHQ compliance: FY21 plan and YTD actual
30 Oct 2020
RSHQ publishes quarterly figures on the number of audits, inspections and complaint investigations we have conducted across the petroleum, explosives, mining and quarrying sectors.
Miners Memorial Day Service 2020 live event
10 Sep 2020
Miners Memorial Day will be streamed online so everyone, no matter where they are, can participate in this important event.
RSHQ compliance: FY20 delivery and FY21 plan
08 Sep 2020
RSHQ publishes quarterly figures on the number of audits, inspections and complaint investigations we have conducted across the petroleum, explosives, mining and quarrying sectors.
Last updated: 26 Jul 2023
