Professor David Cliff
Professor

David Cliff

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 64086

Background

David Cliff was Professor of Occupational Health and Safety in Mining and Director of MISHC from 2011 to 2016. In January 2017 he was appointed Professor of Risk and Knowledge Transfer, reverting to Professor of Occupational Health and Safety in Mining in 2018. His primary role is providing education, applied research and consulting in health and safety in the mining and minerals processing industry. He has been at MISHC over fifteen years.

Previously David was the Safety and Health Adviser to the Queensland Mining Council, and prior to that Manager of Mining Research at the Safety In Mines Testing and Research Station. In these capacities he has provided expert assistance in the areas of health and safety to the mining industry for over twenty three years. He has particular expertise in emergency preparedness, gas analysis, spontaneous combustion, fires and explosions, including providing expert testimony to the Moura No.2 Warden’s inquiry, the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry and the Pike River Royal Commission. In recent times he has also devoted a lot of energy to fitness for duty issues particularly fatigue management. He has been a member of the organising committee for the level one emergency exercises in Queensland underground coal mines since their inception in 1998. He has also attended or provided assistance in over 30 incidents at mines. He has developed expertise in the development of Trigger Action Response Plans.

David has also extensive experience in providing training and education in OHS in mining to in many countries.

He has published widely in the area of occupational health and safety in mining including not just the physical hazards but also on the processes for the effective management of these issues. Examples of this include reviews of the annual safety performance report for the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines and assistance to the Mine Safety Advisory Council of NSW in developing Health Management Plans (HMP) and key performance indicators for HMP.

In recent years he has collaborated closely with Nikky LaBranche researching respirable dust particularly coal dust and silica.

Availability

Professor David Cliff is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Engineering Health Sciences Resources engineering and extractive metallurgy

Research interests

  • Occupational Health and Safety in Mining

  • Principal Hazard Management in Mining

  • Gas Analysis and interpretation in mining

  • Artisanal Mining OHS

  • Emergency Management

Research impacts

David has been active in providing education, training and advice on OHS issues to many countries including: India, Mongolia, Peru, Chile, Colombia, South Africa, Ghana, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, China, the United States of America and Indonesia. In many of these countries he has provided support to government agencies as they struggle to cope with the demands of rapidly expanding minerals extraction industries. A key area of focus has been on the small scale and artisanal mining sector in these countries. He has established relationships with universities and government agencies in many of these countries.

Search Professor David Cliff’s works on UQ eSpace

126 works between 1984 and 2025
All (126) Journal Article (34) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (65) Book (8) Other Outputs (13) Edited Outputs (1)

21 - 40 of 126 works

2018

Journal Article

Focusing on the patterns and characteristics of extraordinarily severe gas explosion accidents in Chinese coal mines

Zhang, Jinjia, Cliff, David, Xu, Kaili and You, Greg (2018). Focusing on the patterns and characteristics of extraordinarily severe gas explosion accidents in Chinese coal mines. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 117, 390-398. doi: 10.1016/j.psep.2018.05.002

Focusing on the patterns and characteristics of extraordinarily severe gas explosion accidents in Chinese coal mines

2018

Journal Article

Improved TARP development based upon mine specific data

Belle, B. and Cliff, D. (2018). Improved TARP development based upon mine specific data. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 28 (3), 477-481. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2018.03.002

Improved TARP development based upon mine specific data

2018

Book Chapter

Is it possible to integrate health and safety risk management into mechanised gold processing? a methodology for artisanal and small-scale mining communities in the Philippines

Logrosa, Gernelyn, Hassall, Maureen, Cliff, David and Bofinger, Carmel (2018). Is it possible to integrate health and safety risk management into mechanised gold processing? a methodology for artisanal and small-scale mining communities in the Philippines. Between the plough and the pick: Informal, artisanal and small-scale mining in the contemporary world. (pp. 193-208) edited by Lahiri-Dutt, Kuntala. Acton ACT, Australia: ANU Press. doi: 10.22459/BPP.03.2018

Is it possible to integrate health and safety risk management into mechanised gold processing? a methodology for artisanal and small-scale mining communities in the Philippines

2018

Conference Publication

Improving respirable coal dust exposure monitoring and control

Cliff, David, LaBranche, Nikky, Shepherd, Mark and Djukic, Fritz (2018). Improving respirable coal dust exposure monitoring and control. 2018 Coal Operators ' Conference, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 7-9 February 2018. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: AUSIMM.

Improving respirable coal dust exposure monitoring and control

2018

Journal Article

Failure to learn from safety incidents: status, challenges and opportunities

Stemn, Eric, Bofinger, Carmel, Cliff, David and Hassall, Maureen E. (2018). Failure to learn from safety incidents: status, challenges and opportunities. Safety Science, 2018 (101), 313-325. doi: 10.1016/j.ssci.2017.09.018

Failure to learn from safety incidents: status, challenges and opportunities

2017

Journal Article

A methodology to monitor airborne PM10 dust particles using a small unmanned aerial vehicle

Alvarado, Miguel, Gonzalez, Felipe, Erskine, Peter, Cliff, David and Heuff, Darlene (2017). A methodology to monitor airborne PM10 dust particles using a small unmanned aerial vehicle. Sensors, 17 (2) 343, 343. doi: 10.3390/s17020343

A methodology to monitor airborne PM10 dust particles using a small unmanned aerial vehicle

2017

Journal Article

A comparison of underground coal mine emergency management in China and Australia

Xi, Jian, Cliff, David and Wu, Zongzhi (2017). A comparison of underground coal mine emergency management in China and Australia. International Journal of Emergency Management, 13 (4), 349-367. doi: 10.1504/IJEM.2017.10007640

A comparison of underground coal mine emergency management in China and Australia

2017

Conference Publication

Managing occupational health in the mining industry

Cliff, David, Harris, Jill, Bofinger, Carmel and Lynas, Danielle (2017). Managing occupational health in the mining industry. Coal Operators' Conference, Wollongong, Australia, 8 to 10 February 2017. Wollongong, Australia: Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong.

Managing occupational health in the mining industry

2017

Conference Publication

The monitoring of underground coal mine environments – the need for fibre optic based systems

Cliff, D. (2017). The monitoring of underground coal mine environments – the need for fibre optic based systems. 2nd International Conference on Fibre-Optic and Photonic Sensors for Industrial and Safety Applications, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 8-10 January 2017.

The monitoring of underground coal mine environments – the need for fibre optic based systems

2017

Conference Publication

The application of bow-tie analysis to the well-being of fly-in, fly-out mining, oil and gas workers

Harris, J., Everingham, J., Barclay, M. A., Kirsch, P. and Cliff, D. (2017). The application of bow-tie analysis to the well-being of fly-in, fly-out mining, oil and gas workers. Minesafe International Conference, Perth, WA, Australia, 1-2 May 2017. Carlton, VIC, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

The application of bow-tie analysis to the well-being of fly-in, fly-out mining, oil and gas workers

2017

Conference Publication

Managing Occupational Health in the Mining Industry

Cliff, D. (2017). Managing Occupational Health in the Mining Industry. 2017 SME Annual Conference, Denver Colorado USA, February 19-22 2017. Denver, CO, United States: SME (Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration).

Managing Occupational Health in the Mining Industry

2017

Conference Publication

The application of risk management methods to the control of respirable dust in underground mines

Cliff, D., Bofinger, C., Lynas, D. and Harris, J. (2017). The application of risk management methods to the control of respirable dust in underground mines. Minesafe International Conference, Perth, WA, Australia, 1-2 May 2017. Carlton, VIC, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

The application of risk management methods to the control of respirable dust in underground mines

2016

Journal Article

Ensuring health and safety through the entire mining cycle: Improvements in technology and reductions in fatality rates demonstrate great progress in the minerals sector, but a continued focus on health and safety will help prevent complacency

Cliff, David, Harris, Jill and Bofinger, Carmel (2016). Ensuring health and safety through the entire mining cycle: Improvements in technology and reductions in fatality rates demonstrate great progress in the minerals sector, but a continued focus on health and safety will help prevent complacency. AusIMM Bulletin (3), 68-71.

Ensuring health and safety through the entire mining cycle: Improvements in technology and reductions in fatality rates demonstrate great progress in the minerals sector, but a continued focus on health and safety will help prevent complacency

2016

Journal Article

Ensuring health and safety through the entire mining cycle

Cliff, David, Harris, Jill and Bofinger, Carmel (2016). Ensuring health and safety through the entire mining cycle. AusIMM Bulletin (4).

Ensuring health and safety through the entire mining cycle

2016

Conference Publication

OHS in the Mining Industry in the 21st Century

Cliff, David (2016). OHS in the Mining Industry in the 21st Century. COAL 2016, Coal Operators Conference, Wollongong, 10-12 February 2016. Wollongong, Australia: University of Wollongong.

OHS in the Mining Industry in the 21st Century

2016

Conference Publication

Field testing and reliability assessment of video based fire detection in coal mining and coal handling environments

Mendham, Frank, Cliff, David and Horberry, Tim (2016). Field testing and reliability assessment of video based fire detection in coal mining and coal handling environments. COAL 2016, Coal Operators Conference, Wollongong, Australia, 10-12 February 2016. Wollongong, NSW Australia: University of Wollongong.

Field testing and reliability assessment of video based fire detection in coal mining and coal handling environments

2016

Conference Publication

Investigation of the Potential Lightning Impacts on Underground Coal Mines

Cliff, D., Henderson, P., Morris, M. and Johnson, W. (2016). Investigation of the Potential Lightning Impacts on Underground Coal Mines. The Future for Mining in a Data-Driven World; 2016 SME Annual Conference & Expo, Phoenix Arizona, 21-24 February 2016. USA: Society of Mining Engineers of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers.

Investigation of the Potential Lightning Impacts on Underground Coal Mines

2016

Conference Publication

Pike River Gas Analysis Implications

Cliff, D. (2016). Pike River Gas Analysis Implications. The Future for Mining in a Data-Driven World , 2016 SME Annual Conference & Expo , Phoenix Arizona, 21-24 February 2016. USA: Society of Mining Engineers of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers.

Pike River Gas Analysis Implications

2016

Conference Publication

How Australia reduced its accident/incident rate in Mining

Cliff, D. (2016). How Australia reduced its accident/incident rate in Mining. II Encuentro Nacional de Socorredores Mineros, Colombia, 6-7 October 2016. Colombia: National Mining Agency.

How Australia reduced its accident/incident rate in Mining

2016

Book

Community Health and Safety Handbook: Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry

Harris, Jill, Bofinger, Carmel and Cliff, David (2016). Community Health and Safety Handbook: Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.

Community Health and Safety Handbook: Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Gap Analysis of Return to Work for Mine Dust Lung Disease Affected Workers in the Mining and Artificial Stone Industries
    Queensland Government Office of Industrial Relations
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Evaluating Risks for Adverse Respiratory Health in Queensland Workers Exposed to Coal Mine Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica: Exploration and Integration of Existing Data Systems
    Queensland Government Office of Industrial Relations
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Physico-chemical characteristicstry and toxicity of coal mine and artificial stone particulates: Identifying factors critical to the pathogenesis and severity of cola workers' pneumoconiosis and <..>
    Queensland Government Office of Industrial Relations
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2022
    Characterisation of Particulates for MMG Underground Mines (101MMGBG21)
    MMG Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Strategic Assessment of Gaps in the Understanding and Management of Particulates in the Resources Sector (102GLENPARTIC)
    Glencore Australia Holdings Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Elemental release and oxidant production from mixed coal mine dusts (ARC Linkage Project administered by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Information sharing system for vehicle interactions (102ACRISS)
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Relationship between physical and chemical characteristics of coal dust particles and incidence of coal workers pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) (ACARP project Administered by UNSW)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Improving Respirable coal dust Exposure Monitoring and Control (101ACRDUST)
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    Improved safety through application of risk management in U.S. underground coal mines: A RISKGATE approach
    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Potential Lightning Impact on Underground Coal Mines
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Optimising the collection of information for effective use
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    C16015 Borehole tool for invesitgating otherwise inaccessible areas
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    C14017 Borehole Tool for Investigating Otherwise Inaccessible Areas
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    C15001Northern Bowen Basin Water and Salt Management Practices
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    SIgnificant Incident Identification and Evaluation System for Mines and Rescue Services (extension)
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Establishment of Hours of Work Risk Factors
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Work Breaks and Rest Periods
    Joint Coal Board Health & Safety Trust
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    Significant Incident Identification and Evaluation System
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    Borehole Tool for Investigating Inaccessible Areas
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant

Availability

Professor David Cliff is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterising the Nature of Respirable Dust in Underground Coal Mines to Inform the Assessment and Management of Respiratory Health Risks to Coal Mine Workers

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Kelly Johnstone

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Safety leadership and its impact on serious injuries and fatalities

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Danellie Lynas, Professor Maureen Hassall

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor David Cliff directly for media enquiries about:

  • Coal mine fires
  • Dust - mine site safety
  • Emergency procedures - mining
  • Explosions - mines
  • Fires and mining
  • Fitness for duty - minerals industry
  • Gas analysis - mining
  • Health and mining work
  • Incident management - mining
  • Mine fires
  • Mine site safety
  • Minerals industry safety
  • Occupational Health and Safety - minerals industry
  • Occupational health and safety in mining
  • Occupational hygiene - mines
  • Respirable dust - mine site safety
  • Safety - minerals industry
  • Spontaneous combustion
  • Work hours - mining

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