Incidents

Rio Tinto Coal Australia (RTCA) has adopted Rio Tinto's incident classification system. Rio Tinto categorises environmental incidents in four classifications. Category I (low) and II (moderate) are typically procedural incidents or those with low potential to impact the environment. Category III (high) and IV (critical) incidents have the potential for significant environmental harm.

In 2007 our target was to achieve zero category III and IV environmental incidents at Coal & Allied and RTCA Queensland operations. This target was achieved.  In fact, since 2002, no category III or IV environmental incidents have occurred at any Coal & Allied operation.

In 2007 there was an increase in category I incidents at RTCA Queensland sites compared with 2006.  This was due to a new requirement that spills in excess of 20 litres be reported, compared to 50 litres previously.  Spill reporting is now consistent across Queensland and NSW. 

Employee training and induction material also raised awareness regarding the importance of employees reporting all spills and incidents, which increased the number of incidents reported.