Mining Engineering Managers Safety Seminar 2023

Waterview in Bicentennial Park 

Bicentennial Dr, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 

Directions

Turn into Bicentennial Drive at the T intersection of Australia Ave and Shirley Strickland Ave and drive around to the function centre. 

Parking 

There is a car parking located off Bicentennial Drive. If this car park reaches capacity the overflow car park will be opened. 

Public transport

We suggest you refer to the latest transport timetables before using public transport, the best options are below:  

Train: Sydney Olympic Park is the closes train station to the Waterview

Bus: There is a bus station on Australia Ave (525 B 526)

Ferry: If you choose to use the ferry, the terminal Sydney Olympic Park (F3) will be the closest terminal. From the terminal there is a bus that will take you through to Australia Ave.

Buses have been arranged to transport you to the seminar dinner. 

Pickup will be from the Pullmans Sydney Olympic Park- Herb Elliot Drive, at 6:00pm. 

The return service to the Pullmans Sydney Olympic Park, will depart the Waterview at 10pm. 

The registration desk will be open during the following hours. 

• Wednesday 17 October: 8:00am – 5:00pm 

• Thursday 18 October: 8:00am -1:30pm 

Please see the seminar team members at the back of the room, for any request regarding sessions and the seminar dinner. 

Meg Peacock – 0428 601 046 

Camilla Palamo - 0450 556 321 

If you haven’t listed on your ticket that you have dietary needs, please let the team know as soon as possible.

It would be appreciated if delegates are to wear their name badges as this identifies them as eligible for catering, seminar access and entry into the seminar dinner. 

We would appreciate if your mobile phones were on silent during the presentations.  

The seminar dinner is available for those delegates who have registered and paid for dinner. 

• The dinner is held in the Lake Room 

• Pre-dinner drinks will commence at 6:15pm 

• Dinner will be serviced at 7:00pm  

• Merrick Watts will join us as our guest speaker for the night. 

• Dress code is smart casual. 

Complimentary wifi is available for MEMSS attendees.  

USERNAME: MEMSS2023 

PASSWORD: Safety23 

(event code: # MEMSS23) 

We will be using Slido throughout the seminar to facilitate questions and during an interactive session on day one. You can access Slido by: 

• Scanning the QR code on the tables 

• Downloading the app from the App Store/Play Store 

• Join via the web browser on your mobile phone by tying in slido.com or searching for ‘slido’. 

Please use Slido for any questions for our presenters or to provide feedback to the event staff throughout the seminar. 

Merrick Watts is one of Australia’s best loved comedic personalities. Originally from Melbourne, he started his career doing stand-up at local pubs before becoming an acclaimed radio host and television presenter.

While he’s probably best known as one half of Australia’s famous comedy duo Merrick & Rosso with a career together spanning some 13+ years, Merrick has branched out solo in recent years to demonstrate his acting skills in such shows as The Hollowmen on ABC TV, Thank God You’re Here (Seven Network and previously Network Ten), Underbelly (Nine Network) and most recently, hosting the ABC’s newest comedy quiz show, Tractor Monkeys, as well as many guest appearances on Australian television over the years.

Merrick is well recognised as a leading performer in comedy and entertainment, and has a wealth of experience in MCing corporate events, awards nights, product launches, company Christmas parties etc. He can entertain your audience as auctioneer and even get results! To describe him as “multi-talented” is a gross understatement (at least that’s what he reckons!). He has the incredible ability to perform in any arena, big or small, and can cater his material for all audiences, including building a multi-media powerpoint presentation chocked full of jokes, customised to suit your occasion!

After many years broadcasting on radio at Triple J and Nova 969, Merrick moved to Drive on Triple M in 2012 and hosts his own show “Merrick and the Highway Patrol” each weekday.

Acting Chief Inspector of Mines

NSW Resources Regulator

Anthony is currently acting as Chief Inspector of Mines for the Resources Regulator, Anthony’s substantive position in the NSW Resources Regulator is the Director of Regulatory Operations Mine Safety.  Anthony has over 20 years’ experience in the mining industry and his qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering (mining) and a mine managers’ certificate of competency.

In his current role, Anthony leads a team that oversee approvals and submissions from the NSW mining industry relating to the NSW work health and safety.

(WHS) legislation and the NSW explosives legislation.

Previously, Anthony has held multiple roles in the mining industry across Australia, ranging from mining engineering through to senior leadership roles.

Compliance Manager

Ulan West Operations – A Glencore Managed Company

Murray has a career in underground coal spanning more than four decades and has held senior operational management positions at various mines in both Qld and NSW. 

Currently Murray is the Compliance Manager at Glencore’s Ulan West Operations near Mudgee NSW.

During his time in the industry Murray has been involved with a number of major projects including mine construction (Gordonstone, Qld, Beltana and Kayuga, NSW), introduction and operation of the first longwall in Qld (Central Colliery) and the first 400m “Fat Face” longwall (Ulan UG , NSW), introduction of miner-bolters (Gordonstone, Qld and Ulan UG, NSW) and mine closure (Ravensworth UG, NSW).

Murray is co-presenting with Jarod Chadwick.

Engineering Superintendent

Ulan West Underground, Glencore

Jarod is the Engineering Superintendent at Ulan West Underground, Glencore. With a demonstrated history of working in underground coal, he started as an engineering student at Tahmoor, Ulan Surface Operations and Mangoola Open Cut before starting at Ulan West Underground during the start up of the mine in 2011.

He’s progressed through various role such as Outbye electrical engineer, Longwall maintenance trade supervisor and mine automation engineer. Jarod has a  Bachelor Electrical Engineering (Hons) from University of Wollongong. 

When Jarod is not working at Ulan West, he is busy with his family or out at he’s rural property.

BAppSci(OT), MBA, PhD, CPE

ViVA health at work

Managing Director | Principal Work Design Strategist

Sara Pazell worked as a lead researcher with the University of Queensland Minerals Industry Safety Health Centre in the study of the EMESRT Control Framework as it applies to understanding the management of tyre handling. She operates a consultancy practice and teaches and researches on topics of human factors and organisational strategy.

Principal Advisor

HME, Rio Tinto

Mark is a Principal Advisor - HME, Rio Tinto.

He has trade and formal qualifications (MBA and Six Sigma) and over 40 years’ experience. Mark’s area of expertise is focused on large capital intensive industries, primarily in the mining and mineral processing industries.

Associate Dean Equity, Diversity & Inclusion | Faculty of Science

Associate Professor |School of Aviation

Associate Professor Carlo Caponecchia is an academic at The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney. He has a background in psychology and works in Human Factors and Safety across several domains. He has particular interest and expertise in psychosocial risks and safe systems of work. Carlo is part of the International Standards Organisation Technical Committee 283 responsible for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. He is the Past President of the International Association on Workplace Bullying and Harassment.

Mechanical Engineering Manager

Centennial Coal - Springvale Colliery

Greg is currently the mechanical engineering manager at Centennial Coal - Springvale Colliery.

He has 34 years’ experience working in the NSW and QLD coal industry in a range of underground and open cut operations in senior management roles such as engineering and maintenance manager, operations manager, project manager and mechanical engineering manager roles.

Regional General Manager Eastern Region

Hanson

Scott is a Regional General Manager Eastern Region for Hanson, with a demonstrated history of working in the Building Materials industry across sales, concrete production, quarry production and logistics.

Scott is also passionate about spreading the R U OK? message because of his experience managing a work site impacted by suicide.

Co-author of A Culture Turned

Transforming workplace cultures

For more than 30 years, Steve Simpson has been working with organisations across the world to help them boost performance and productivity by transforming workplace cultures.

Creator of the UGRs® – unwritten ground rules – concept, Steve is an international speaker, author and consultant who has worked with the likes of McLaren Automotive and Next in the UK, Kmart Australia and New Zealand, SAP globally and Toyota Australia.

Steve is the author of two books including ‘UGRs: Cracking the Corporate Culture Code’. He is the co-author to a further three books, the latest being ‘A Culture Turned’. He has a Masters Degree from the University of Alberta, and was invited to undertake an Australian city lecture tour to co-present with Harvard University Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter.

Professional Speakers Australia recently recognised Steve’s achievements by awarding him the prestigious Australian Educator of the Year Award.

 

Principal – Health & Hygiene

Whitehaven Coal

Jessica Pereira is a leading workplace health professional in the mining and resources industry.

Jessica uses a risk-based, systems approach to optimise health and wellbeing outcomes. With a background in physiotherapy, she has almost 17 years practical experience in workplace health and wellness, hygiene, injury management, injury rehabilitation and return to work, and workplace health and safety.

After joining the mining industry in Central Queensland in 2008, Jessica has spent the last 8 years at Whitehaven Coal where she leads the company’s health and wellbeing programs for its 2,700-strong workforce.

During her time at Whitehaven, Jessica has developed an industry-leading holistic health and wellbeing program, The Complete Miner, as well as a range of other innovative programs and initiatives that promote a positive health and safety culture.

Jessica is committed to driving continuous improvement across the mining and resources industry, and is an active member of several NSW Minerals Council working groups.

EHS Solutions

Dr Jennifer Hines is a Certified Occupational Hygienist with over 20 years’ industry experience in the mining, manufacturing and Defence sectors. She completed her PhD at the University of Wollongong on “The Role of Emissions Based Maintenance to Reduce Diesel Engine Exhaust, Worker Exposure and Fuel Consumption” and is currently a consultant Occupational Hygienist and a Lecturer in the School of Health and Society at the University of Wollongong (UoW). Reducing worker exposure to contaminants and thus preventing occupational illness and disease to workers in the underground mining environment has been a focal point of her career to date.

Lecturer at UOW

Dr Jon Roberts is a Lecturer at UOW in the School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronics, and Biomedical Engineering teaching and researching topics relating to mechanical engineering, and bulk materials handling with a focus on simulation methods and dust control, as well as working on industry projects with Bulk Materials Engineering Australia (BMEA).

Director and lead consultant

TASC Solutions

Chris Georgiou is the Director and lead consultant of TASC Solutions, Chris Georgiou has spent the past 12 years in the NSW Mining and construction material handling industry. Chris has held statutory management positions at mineral sand mines and large hard rock quarries, area managed concrete plants, transport fleets, as well as project managing, prior to this Chris held General Manager positions in the automotive industry. Chris has strong background in business development, safety and compliance, development of High Performing teams, training facilitation, and culture change, coupled with a formal qualification in WHS, Emergency preparedness, Business administration, Certificate of Competence and Practicing Certificate.

Operations Manager - Mining

Atlas Project

Chris has worked in the industry for over 23 years, in the mining industry and has been in the commodities of heavy mineral sands and alluvial gold and transferrable across to many commodities mainly in the open pit mining environment. Chris is a strong believer in developing a stronger workforce for the future. He is passionate in building the training of the labour force.

Inspector of Mines - Occupational Hygiene

Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ)

Andrew is an Inspector of Mines - Occupational Hygiene, employed by Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), within the Coal inspectorate.

He has been working in the field of Occupational Health and Safety and industrial hygiene for over 35 years and is a Certified Occupational Hygienist. He has experience across a broad range of industries including power generation and distribution, construction, manufacturing, and chemical processing, although has predominantly worked in mining and minerals processing. This has involved both coal and metalliferous, surface and underground mining operations.

Samantha Forster COH MAIOH MRACI CChem

Principal Occupational Hygienist, Authorised Officer

Samantha Forster has more than 20 years’ experience in the resources sector. Samantha is a Chartered Chemist as well as a Certified Occupational Hygienist. Samantha has a Masters degree in the practice of occupational hygiene and her experience includes work across both the Coal and Mineral Mines and Quarries sectors in environmental and occupational airborne contaminants.

Samantha is currently the Principal Occupational Hygienist within Resources Safety & Health for Mineral Mines and Quarries and provides professional and technical support in the practise of occupational hygiene and prevention of health hazards.

Liam Wilson

Senior HSE Professional

Liam Wilson is a Senior HSE Professional. Liam is a Certified Occupational Hygienist (COH) with over 25 years of industry experience. Liam has Post Graduate qualifications in Industrial Hygiene Science, a B.Sc. (Env), and an Ad. Dip. in Process Plant Technology. Liam is a Board Member of the International Society of Environmental Enclosure Engineers (ISEEE – USA non-profit). Liam is a representative on a number of Industry Health & Safety Committee’s and Working Groups including the Minerals Council of Australia, Queensland Resources Council and NSW Minerals Council. Liam continues to be involved in Working Groups of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH), the International Council of Mining & Metals (ICMM), and the Earth Moving Equipment Safety Round Table (EMESRT). Liam is an Industry member on Standards Australia and ISO Committee’s.

Liam has worked in the Private and Public sectors, in mining, construction, manufacturing, refining and smelting. Liam has worked globally in Australia, North America, UK, Iceland and Africa covering commodities including coal, aluminium, diamonds, copper and uranium. Liam has worked for Multi national Companies including Rio Tinto, BHP and Alcoa.

Allied Health Group Lead

CS Health

Anitra Thomas is a physiotherapist of over 20 years’ experience. Having worked across public and private sectors in Australia and the UK, Anitra developed a passion for industrial health working in former coalfield communities of England.  Completing her Post Graduate Certificate in Evidence Based Psychological Approaches at Cumbria University, Anitra specialises in management of complex and chronic conditions.

Anitra has since managed multiple rehabilitation services in compensable schemes driving customer centric and high value care.  Currently, as Allied Health Group Lead for Coal Services Health, Anitra oversees preventative health interventions including Functional Assessment, Task Analysis, Education, Lifestyle Programs, Early Intervention and Rehabilitation for coal workers across NSW.

Head of Preventative Health

CS Health

Chris Catchpole completed his physiotherapy degree at the University of Sydney and has worked in Health for over 20 years as a clinician, clinical educator and senior manager.

Along with a Master’s in Health Management, Chris has held a range of senior roles across NSW Health and has a particular interest in chronic disease management, rehabilitation and preventative healthcare.

In recent years, Chris has been recognised at a state and national level for his transformational leadership in driving health

Growing up on the central coast of NSW, Rob completed an apprenticeship in Newcastle as a mechanical fitter, and then furthered his studies to attain diesel mechanical and fluid power certification. With a desire to travel, this was the foundation upon which Rob began to explore many work opportunities and gained life skills to further support his working journey.



Throughout his career, Rob has worked in major towns and cities, along with remote and isolated locations, in Heavy Engineering, Mining and Civil Construction, in diverse roles of; plant operator, mechanical maintenance supervision, plant, equipment and logistics management, operations management and company director. This has provided him valuable experience and insight into business requirements, management, operations and communication. His enthusiasm, industry knowledge, and hands on approach are Rob’s strong attributes which allow him to complete complex and challenging tasks when presented. Now with the focus of supplying product and equipment to a broad range of industries, Rob enjoys the opportunity to connect with his clients to understand their business and deliver products that will meet their requirements. Rob is a dedicated, reliable person, committed to building strong relationships with suppliers, customers and clients.

Wayne Hose – Global BDM

Pinssar

Specialising in global alliance management, business development and technical product support for heavy mining and construction equipment and technologies. With senior national management roles with several global OEM’s, Wayne’s career spans more than 30 years working all over the world.  

Working with the team at Pinssar, Wayne has helped to successfully install the revolutionary continuous real-time DPM (Diesel Particulate Matter) monitoring system in mines, maintenance workshops, locomotive workshops as well as tunnel construction projects across 6 continents. Wayne continues to work with and support companies across the world to ensure the welfare of workers are protected from the dangers of diesel engine exhaust emissions.

Consulting Manager

Resolve Mining Solutions

Claudia is a mining engineer with 20 years’ experience in the German and Australian mining industries with exposure to various commodities and mining methods.

After gaining the opportunity to come to Australia and Northparkes as part of Rio Tinto’s international internship program in 2006, Claudia migrated permanently in 2009 to start work as mining engineer for Rio Tinto’s Paraburdoo operation. After moving back to Northparkes in 2011 she spend 8 years learning about block caving from the early scoping stages to project implementation and operation through a number of different roles and functions.

Since 2019 she has been working for Resolve Mining Solutions with a variety of clients both here in Australia and overseas on studies as well as ongoing operational support.

As Consulting Manager with Resolve Mining Solutions, Claudia leads a team of industry experts who have a passion for developing the future of the mining industry by working with clients to offer expert advice and training. With a large number of the team having held statutory functions or having led technical teams, streamlining decision making processes and implementing fit for purpose systems is something that is close to the heart of the entire team

Practice Leader Health and Human Factors

NSW Resources Regulator Department of Regional NSW

Practice Leader, Health and Human Factors, NSW Resources Regulator.

Kylie has over 23 years’ experience working across a range of industry sectors. This includes community service, mental health, insurance, local government, and mining. Kylie has been in her current role, Practice Leader Health and Human Factors since 2012.

Kylie is a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia and is passionate about human and organisational factors, safe design, safety management systems in relation to sociotechnical systems and the management of psychosocial hazards.

Project Manager

SIEMAG - TECBERG

Nathan is a Project Manager for Siemag Tecberg Australia with 20 years’ experience in mining and industrial. He holds a NSW Practicing Certificate as Mechanical Engineering Manager of Underground Coal Mines and has held varying roles from a Mechanical Fitter to Engineering Manager for mining companies, Construction Manager for Snowy Hydro and Lead Engineer for BlueScope Steel.

Superintendent - Technical Services

CSA Mine

Production Engineer

Mount Thorley Warkworth

Beau Lea is the Production Engineer at Mount Thorley Warkworth Operations in the Hunter Valley. Beau has been in this role for 2 years and has led the planning & implementation of major project works such as the Collision Awareness System (CAS) at MTW along with the upgrade & expansion of inpit facilities for Dispatch, Supervisors, and the workforce. Beau has also managed the procurement & implementation of Mobile Crib Hut’s as well as assisting the Operational Technology team with the rollout of the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) communications network at MTW.

Prior to moving into the Production Engineer role, Beau was a Mining Supervisor (OCE) for 5 years working across the Prestrip, Coal & Partings, DD&B and Shot firing team’s at MTW. 

Beau holds a Certificate of Competence & Practicing Certificate as an Open Cut Examiner, and a Masters in Mining Engineering from the University of NSW. 

Prior to undertaking his studies Beau worked as an Excavator, Dozer, Loader and Haul Truck operator at MTW.

When he is not behind the keyboard Beau is a dedicated family man, avid fisherman, prospector and golfer. When he cant be found out