OLYMPIC DAM

In reply to the Hon. M. PARNELL (30 June 2010).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide): The Minister for Environment and Conservation has been advised that:

1. Not all underground workers at the Olympic Dam mine are required to be issued with personal radiation monitoring devices.

The type and extent of monitoring of workers is based on the risk of receiving a radiation exposure irrespective of whether a worker is a BHP Billiton employee or a contractor.

2. Under BHP Billiton's licence conditions, the company is required to implement and comply with a Radiation Management Plan which includes providing the EPA with quarterly dose reports summarizing the radiation exposures for all work groups underground. The EPA also regularly receives dose data which details individual radiation doses estimated for all mine workers.

3. It is the company's responsibility as part of their Radiation Management Plan, to issue regular radiation dose reports to workers.

4. Radiation levels are calculated by using both personal and location monitoring methods approved by the EPA and in accordance with accepted regulatory practice.

The EPA reviews quarterly reports received from BHP Billiton and also meets with the company to thoroughly discuss monitoring methods, the results, and any related issues that may arise.