Hear Mineworker and Beaconsfield Survivor discuss his experience and lend advice to Hunter Valley miners

Beaconsfield Mine tragedy survivor, Brant Webb, will speak about his experiences in mining and focus on health trends as part of a series of health and safety presentations at the Hunter Mining Show in Singleton later this month.  

The Hunter Mining Show will be held at the Civic Centre, Singleton – in the heart of the region’s mining industry – from Thursday March 12 to Saturday March 14. It is the launch event for the Hunter Coal Festival, which runs throughout the Hunter region during the second half of March.
 

The presentations, organised in collaboration with Coal Services, will be held during Thursday March 12 and Friday March 13, and take place in the Show’s Blackwoods Pavilion, which takes up the whole of the Singleton Civic Centre hall.
 

They will include two discussion panels during Thursday March 12, on mental health and emergency preparedness, featuring Beaconsfield Mine tragedy survivor Brant Webb. 
 

Mr Webb will be joined on stage by NewPsych Psychologist Tarnya Davis, Senior Mine Safety Officer with NSW Trade & Investment Matt U’Brien, and Mines Rescue State Manager Steve Tonegato.
 

The next day, on Friday March 13, the show will host a series of workshops on key industry health and safety issues, including synthetic drugs, first aid, the effects of noise and hygiene factors on workers and an update on regional health statistics and emerging trends.
 

“We are delighted to be a part of this two-day program,” said Matthew Fellowes, General Manager Mines Rescue and Regulation & Compliance. 
 

“The panel discussions and workshops are designed to ignite conversation on key health and safety topics,” he said. 
 

“They will be a unique opportunity to hear from some of the industry’s leading experts on the health and safety state of our industry, and discuss ways in which we can continue to challenge our already high standards.
 

“This is also a great forum to talk about mental health issues affecting our miners,” said Mr Fellowes.
 

“Brant Webb tells a compelling story about the Beaconsfield tragedy and its impact on his life, his family, the community and life after the rescue. 
 

We are very confident that attendees will come away not only moved and inspired, but also with plenty to think about.”

Interest in these panel discussions and workshops is expected to be high. To register to attend any or all of these sessions, please go to www.huntermining.com.au/workshops.  

 

The Hunter Mining Show’s health and safety workshop program covers the following sessions and presenters*: 
 

Panel discussions, Thursday March 12, Blackwoods Pavilion stage
 

Mental health in mining: 10.30-11.30 am. Featuring Brant Webb; Tarnya Davis, NewPsych Psychologist; Matt U’Brien, Senior Mine Safety Officer NSW Trade & Investment; Steve Tonegato, State Manager Mines Rescue.
 

Emergency preparedness in the mining industry: 2-3 pm. Featuring Brant Webb; Tarnya Davis, NewPsych Psychologist; Matt U’Brien, Senior Mine Safety Officer NSW Trade & Investment; Steve Tonegato, State Manager Mines Rescue.
 

Health and safety workshops, Friday March 13, Blackwoods Pavilion stage
 

Noise, Diesel and Whole Body Vibration: What are some of the key occupational factors facing our miners and how do we control them? 12 pm-1 pm, presented by Peter Adlington, Coal Mines Technical Services (CMTS). 
 

First Aid: The importance of first aid skills in mining. 1 pm-2 pm, presented by Craig Bates, Mines Rescue.
 

Hunter Mining Health Statistics: How healthy are our Hunter Valley miners and what are the emerging trends? 2 pm-3 pm, presented by Dr David Meredith, CS Health.
 

Synthetic Drugs: What they are, how they affect you, are they legal, what are the risks? 3 pm-4 pm, presented by Kayleen Rees and Sue Gilroy, CS Health.
 

Further information on the Hunter Coal Festival: www.huntercoalfestival.com.au and Hunter Mining Show: www.huntermining.com.au.