Two men are in critical condition after experiencing significant burns while working at Mount Isa Mines in Queensland. One of the men, aged 26, is in an induced coma and on assisted breathing after suffering burns on 60% of his body, while the other, aged 25, sustained burns on 50% of his face and neck. The exact cause of the incident was a steam vent opening adjacent to where they were working, leading to these severe injuries.
Following the incident, both workers were airlifted from the site to Brisbane for further medical treatment. Glencore, the company overseeing the smelter operations, confirmed the suspension of operations in response to the accident. Authorities from Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) initiated an investigation, with inspectors at the site issuing directives to isolate the scene for further examination. Additionally, RSHQ investigators specializing in serious incident investigations are currently on-site to gather more information.
Queensland Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals, Scott Stewart, expressed concern for the workers and their families, emphasizing the importance of a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident. The minister stressed the industry's responsibility to prioritize worker safety and ensure such accidents are thoroughly reviewed for prevention in the future. The severity of the workers' injuries highlights the risks that come with industrial work and the importance of stringent safety measures in such environments.