Treated like children: BHP beer ban irks Australian mine workers BHP’s new alcohol policy bans workers on mine sites in Western Australia from consuming alcohol after 9:30 p.m. ( Stock image.) BHP Group’s new alcohol policy to limit late night drinking at its Australia mines and search belongings for secret stashes of liquor, if needed, infringes on worker rights, the miners union said. The company’s policy will bar workers on mine sites in Western Australia from consuming alcohol after 9:30 p.m., citing health and safety concerns. Sign Up for the Iron Ore Digest Sign Up In a letter this week, the Western Mine Workers’ Alliance (WMWA) told BHP the policies fuelled concern over employees’ basic rights to privacy and enjoyment in non-working hours, and added that the miner had not adequately consulted employees.