Annual remembrance service honours 1,509 miners who have died on the job

Queensland's Annual Memorial Honours Fallen Mine Workers

Queensland's annual memorial service commemorated miners who lost their lives while working across the state, with a ceremony held Thursday as part of Miners Memorial Day. This Miners Memorial Day recognises 1,509 miners who have died on the job throughout the state's mining history.

The occasion marks the anniversary of the most catastrophic mining disaster in Queensland's history, during which 75 miners were killed in a coal explosion at Mount Mulligan in 1921.

RSHQ Reinforces Commitment to Worker Safety

Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) CEO Rob Djukic stated that Miners Memorial Day serves as a crucial reminder to continue working towards a safer industry. His remarks highlighted ongoing efforts by Resources Safety and Health Queensland to strengthen protections for workers across the sector.

"Our focus at RSHQ is always on safety of workers, and that's never been more important than right now," said Mr Djukic.

"We've lost three workers this year, which simply isn't good enough."

"Our thoughts are with family and friends of Luke O'Brien, Chris Schloss, and John Linwood today, and we'd like to reaffirm to them our commitment to a full and thorough investigation."

Why Memorial Services Matter for Workplace Health and Safety

Memorial services such as this one play a vital role in reinforcing health and safety standards across high-risk industries. They remind employers, regulators, and communities alike that continued vigilance saves lives.

Similar tributes have been held for other sectors facing occupational hazards, including a memorial service honouring firefighters killed on the job in Western Australia, a Kings Park memorial service commemorating firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice, and a service where Tasmania honours road workers killed on the job.

Strengthening Safety Practices Across the Resources Sector

For organisations operating in mining and related resources industries, robust risk management remains essential. Businesses can support workplace safety by implementing structured tools, such as a digital Job Safety Analysis template, which helps identify hazards before they cause harm.

Organisations seeking a broader safety management approach may also benefit from a SafetyCloud annual subscription, which supports ongoing compliance and reporting needs. New Zealand-based operations can refer to the Job Safety Analysis pack for NZ workplaces for locally relevant guidance.

Keeping pace with regulatory updates is equally important. The Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice update offers current information on managing plant-related hazards, complementing broader health and safety strategies within resources-based workplaces.

A Community United in Remembrance

Miners Memorial Day continues to unite the wider community each year, honouring those who never returned home from their shifts. As RSHQ's ongoing investigations proceed, this remembrance stands as a reminder that safety improvements remain an unfinished task, one that demands constant attention from regulators, employers, and workers alike.

Read the original article here.