Overview
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
Research interests
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Occupational Health and Safety in Mining
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Principal Hazard Management in Mining
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Gas Analysis and interpretation in mining
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Artisanal Mining OHS
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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.
Works
Search Professor David Cliff’s works on UQ eSpace
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.
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.
2015
Other Outputs
Emergency Response: Mine Entry Data Management Extension
Brady, D., Smith, R., Cliff, D., Tonnegato, S., Mason, P. and Devlin, S. (2015). Emergency Response: Mine Entry Data Management Extension. Brisbane, Australia:
2015
Journal Article
Analysing mine emergency management needs: A cognitive work analysis approach
Xiao, Tania, Horberry, Tim and Cliff, David (2015). Analysing mine emergency management needs: A cognitive work analysis approach. International Journal of Emergency Management, 11 (3), 191-208. doi: 10.1504/IJEM.2015.071705
2015
Other Outputs
Lightning in Australian Underground Coal Mines: Phase One
Cliff, D., Morris, M., Johnson, W., Wilton, D. and D'Alessandro, F. (2015). Lightning in Australian Underground Coal Mines: Phase One.
2015
Conference Publication
OHS in the minerals industry in the 21st Century
Cliff, D. (2015). OHS in the minerals industry in the 21st Century. International Conference on Mining, Safety and Environment Protection, Xian, Peoples Republic of China, 7-9 November 2015. Xian, China: University of Science and Technology Xi'an China.
2015
Conference Publication
The Hazelwood Mine fire 2014
Cliff, David (2015). The Hazelwood Mine fire 2014. 2015 Coal Operators’ Conference, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 11-13 February 2015. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: The University of Wollongong.
2015
Conference Publication
Assessing the potential risks associated with ligtning in underground coal mines
Cliff, D., Morris, M., Johnson, W., Wilton, D., D'Alessandro, F. and Henderson, P. (2015). Assessing the potential risks associated with ligtning in underground coal mines. International Conference of Safety in Mines Research Institutes, Sudbury, ON, Canada, 24-27 October 2015. Sudbury, Canada: CIM.
2015
Conference Publication
Improved trigger action response plan development based upon mine-specific data
Belle, B. and Cliff, D. (2015). Improved trigger action response plan development based upon mine-specific data. Australian Mine Ventilation Conference, Sydney, Australia, 31 August - 3 September 2015. Melbourne, Australia: AusIMM: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
2015
Conference Publication
Translating road safety research on night-time visibility to the context of mining
Wood, Joanne, Cliff, David and Burgess-Limerick, R. (2015). Translating road safety research on night-time visibility to the context of mining. 2015 Coal Operators’ Conference, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 11-13 February 2015. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: The University of Wollongong.
2015
Conference Publication
The non-technical aspects of incident management decision-making
Fuller, R., Cliff, D. and Burgess-Limerick, R. (2015). The non-technical aspects of incident management decision-making. International Conference of Safety in Mines Research Institutes, Sudbury, ON, Canada, 24-27 October 2015. Sudbury, Canada: CIM.
2014
Journal Article
Reflections on mining and mortality.
Kirsch, Philipp, Harris, Jill, Shi, Meng and Cliff, David (2014). Reflections on mining and mortality.. Australian Resources and Investment, 8 (3), 64-68.
2014
Other Outputs
Provision of expert advice relating to Hazelwood Coal Mine Fire February and March 2014
Cliff, David (2014). Provision of expert advice relating to Hazelwood Coal Mine Fire February and March 2014. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry.
2014
Journal Article
Industry-scale knowledge management: RISKGATE and Australian coal operations
Kirsch, P. A., Harris, J., Sprott, D. and Cliff, D. (2014). Industry-scale knowledge management: RISKGATE and Australian coal operations. CIM Journal, 5 (2), 79-86.
2014
Conference Publication
Improving fire life safety and asset loss control in mining: development of a video based fire detection system
Mendham, F., Cliff, D. and Horberry, T. (2014). Improving fire life safety and asset loss control in mining: development of a video based fire detection system. Sixth International Symposium High Performance Mining, Aachen, Germany, 11-12 June 2014. Germany: Druckservice Zillekens.
2014
Conference Publication
Is carbon monoxide sensing an effective early fire detection option for underground coal mines?
Mendham, Frank, Cliff, David and Horberry, Tim (2014). Is carbon monoxide sensing an effective early fire detection option for underground coal mines?. Coal 2014: Australian Coal Operators' Conference 2014, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 12-14 February, 2014. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: University of Woollongong.
2014
Conference Publication
Comparative analysis of coal fatalities in Australia, South Africa, India, China and USA, 2006-2010
Harris, Jill, Kirsch, Philipp, Shi, Meng, Li, Jirui, Gagrani, Ankita, Krishna ES, Anand, Tabish, Ahmad, Arora, Deepanshu, Kothandaraman, Kishore and Cliff, David (2014). Comparative analysis of coal fatalities in Australia, South Africa, India, China and USA, 2006-2010. Coal 2014: Australian Coal Operators' Conference 2014, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 12-14 February, 2014. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: University of Woollongong.
2014
Conference Publication
Optimising emergency escape in Australian underground coal mines
Cliff, D. (2014). Optimising emergency escape in Australian underground coal mines. Optimising emergency escape in Australian underground coal mines, Manly NSW, Australia, 27 - 28 March.
2014
Journal Article
Industry scale knowledge management: introducing the RISKGATE Strata Underground and Explosions Body of Knowledge
Kirsch, P. A., Harris, J., Cliff, D., Hebblewhite, B., Sprott, D., Shi, M., Ranjan, A., Sharma, S., Biswas, T. and Sharma, S (2014). Industry scale knowledge management: introducing the RISKGATE Strata Underground and Explosions Body of Knowledge. Canadian Institute of Mining Journal, 5 (4), 237-244.
2014
Conference Publication
RISKGATE and Australian coal operations
Kirsch, Philipp, Harris, Jill, Sprott, Darren and Cliff, David (2014). RISKGATE and Australian coal operations. Coal 2014: Australian Coal Operators' Conference 2014, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 12-14 February, 2014. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: University of Woollongong.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor David Cliff is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Safety leadership and its impact on serious injuries and fatalities
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Danellie Lynas, Professor Maureen Hassall
Completed supervision
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2024
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
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Developing risk management practices and protocols for the African Mining and Energy Infrastructure Industries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jill Harris
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Improving organisational learning from incidents through effective incident investigations: A study of the Ghanaian mining industry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Maureen Hassall
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Integration of Health and Safety Risk Management into the Implementation of Gold Processing Technology in Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) Communities in the Philippines
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Maureen Hassall
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
"Design and development of a methodology to monitor PM10 dust particles produced by industrial activities using UAVs"
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Erskine
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Improving fire safety and asset loss control in mining: Evaluation and development of a video based fire detection system
Principal Advisor
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of non-technical issues on decision-making by coal mining incident management teams
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robin Burgess-Limerick
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Establishing a safety-based risk control effectiveness score as an alternative to conventional acceptable risk analysis and evaluation methods
Principal Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Managing whole-body vibration at surface and underground coal mines
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robin Burgess-Limerick
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The relationship of gas evolution and odour to the stages of coal self-heating
Associate Advisor
Media
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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