Concerns over the safety of shift workers and road users have been raised after a bus service between Mandurah and Boddington was axed last year by the owners of Worsley Alumina’s bauxite mine operation.
Dozens of workers living in Dawesville, Mandurah and Pinjarra were ferried to and from the mine on the service, but now have to drive the distance on their own.
Employees from the mine, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were concerned about the safety of mine workers driving round trips as long as 250 kilometres while fatigued after long shifts.
One worker said there were about 80 people a day working on the mine site driving from as far away as Dawesville, often through school zones at drop-off or pick-up time.
“People go through school zones on Lakes Road and then on South West Highway,” he said.
“I go through two on the way to Halls Head.
“I’ll admit, I pull into my driveway sometimes and think how the hell have I got here.”
While he said some workers car pooled, there were many who drove the distance on their own on dangerous roads.
“That Pinjarra-Williams Road is a shocker at the best of times, there are road trains from the gold mine,” the worker said.
“I’m Mandurah based, but we have people from Lake Clifton up to Rockingham.
“Most of us get an hour sleep on the way to and from work, but you know have multiple people in multiple cars all at risk.”
One man said he was usually exhausted when he made the trip.
“I’m up at 3.30am and I get to work at six after I pick up the people I car pool with, leave at 6.30pm and I’m home at eight,” he said.
“Ninety per cent of the time I skip dinner and then it’s the reverse on night shift.”
A spokesman from South 32, the owner of Worsley Alumina’s Boddington operation, said the bus service from Mandurah to Boddington was introduced when traffic volumes on Pinjarra-Williams Road were very high due to the Worsley Alumina expansion from 2008 to 2012 and the reopening of the Newmont Boddington Gold Mine.
“By mid-2016, traffic volumes had eased and the bus service was no longer required,” he said.
“While we encourage our people to live locally, it is their choice as to where they live and work.
“For those who travel longer distances, we encourage car pooling and offer fatigue management support, including local accommodation options. We also conduct regular road safety campaigns.”
The spokesman said Worsley Alumina had also trialled Readiband fatigue management technology.
Nathan Hondros
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
