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her inspiration and remedies them. This means each individual Squadron and the Air Force is constantly looking to improve its safety practices and identify ways to operate more safely. This along with the high level of training all aircrew receive means that we are trained and qualified to carry out what is expected of us in a safe manner. This extends to safety on the air and also on the ground." www.airforce.mil.nz Shannon Richards Project Underground Geologist, Newmont Waihi Gold Shannon Richards' office is 340 metres underground. That's 200 metres below sea level and over two kilometres of driving along a labyrinth of twisting tunnels to get back to the surface, and daylight! A drilling machine, which looks like something out of a Jurassic version of a Transformers movie, attacks the end of the tunnel and then the 'rockface' is drilled and blasted. Low slung ore trucks pass with a whoosh of air in the confined space and the sound of big diesel engines labouring under their 50 tonne payload booms off the walls. To the uninitiated it's all flashing lights, inky blackness, big machinery – and scary! This is a usual day underground at Newmont Waihi Gold's Trio mine under Union Hill on the outskirts of Waihi. To Shannon this is just another day at the office. So is it as dangerous as it looks? "There's this public perception that all underground mining is risky," Shannon says. "That just isn't the case. Underground gold mining, in fact any underground mining, is safe. It's just that when something goes wrong in this environment it can be very unforgiving." Shannon is quick to point out that it's potentially just as dangerous driving on a local highway or crossing the street as it is working in an underground gold mine. "In my spare time I am a volunteer St John ambulance officer at Waihi Beach. I often deal with serious injuries caused from recreational or regular day-to-day activities." In fact, Shannon says, you are more likely to injure yourself mowing the lawn or playing sport than working in a gold mine. "That's because, although underground gold mining looks dangerous, a lot of our time is spent making sure it isn't." Shannon is wearing steel cap gumboots, a miner's hardhat with cap lamp, safety glasses and earplugs. Slung on a webbing belt around her waist is a self-rescuer. This is what miners depend on for breathable air if the atmosphere becomes 'irrespirable'. "In underground gold mines the two significant dangers are rock falls and machinery fires. Unlike coal mines we don't get big fires or gas problems. "To prevent rock falls we mesh and bolt all of our drives (tunnels). If we need to get out another way we can climb a series of vertical escapeway ladders up to the surface. We always have more than one way of getting out." Shannon says that all heavy machinery is fitted with on-board fire suppression. The self-rescuer on Shannon's belt will provide her with enough oxygen to get to a refuge chamber and wait for help. There are regular safety drills and the site has its own Mines Rescue Team. 26 | February/March 2012 | HER MAGAZINE What the Government is doing to help: The Minister of Labour, the Hon Kate Wilkinson has publicly released the National Action Agenda 2010- 2013. The National Action Agenda's aim is to reduce New Zealand's work toll by focusing on the five sectors where the most harm is occurring – construction, agriculture, manufacturing, forestry and fishing. Through specific actions in each sector a real difference can be made to the work toll, but that difference relies on everyone working together, government, employers, workers, industry groups and unions. There will also be an increased focus on occupational health issues through the development of a specific Occupational Health Action Plan. As Ms Wilkinson says, "It is only by combining our skills, knowledge and leadership with action in the five priority sectors that we will achieve the vision of 'healthy people in safe and productive workplaces'."