The CFMEU says a Queensland mining company's initial response to a fatal incident in the state's Bowen Basin was "unacceptable" after rescuers took several hours to reach the man.

Key points: Mackay man David Routledge died when a wall collapsed on the digger he was operating

Mackay man David Routledge died when a wall collapsed on the digger he was operating Emergency crews took several hours to reach the father, who could not be saved

Emergency crews took several hours to reach the father, who could not be saved The mining union said Middlemount Coal need better on-site "response and rescue"

Mackay man David Routledge died when a wall collapsed while he was operating a digger at the Middlemount open-cut coal mine, north-west of Rockhampton, on Wednesday.

Mining union spokesman Steve Smyth said some emergency crews travelled from Mackay — almost three hours away — to reach Mr Routledge.

Crews were also hampered due to unstable conditions after the wall collapsed at the site.

Mr Smyth said mining companies, such as Middlemount Coal, need better on-site "response and rescue".

"Minutes are important in any emergency and to be relying on a response from two and a half to three hours away is totally unacceptable," he said.

"It should be up to the employer to have that response on-site ready to go each and every shift that coal is being produced.

"We hear employees come out and say safety is our number one priority, well it might be in the boardroom but at the coal face it's not."

The incident is the fifth mining death in the past 12 months in Queensland, with three of them in coal.

Mr Smyth said all Queensland mines should cease operations for a day to review safety and debrief staff.

District CFMEU president Stephen Smyth said all mines in the state should have a safety debrief.

"Every mine should be doing a reset at their mines, talking to their employees and looking at what's going on," he said.

"The next morning, mines just kicked away as normal and some of the mines didn't even have debriefs of what happened.

"Even though its not directly related to that mining company, the mining industry is a close-knit community and people feel the ripple effects."

Incident to be investigated

In a statement, Middlemount Coal chief executive Gerrie Jordann said safety is the highest priority.

"A full investigation is currently underway and we are cooperating fully with this process," he said.

"Our focus remains on the welfare of David Routledge's family, friends and colleagues, and supporting them during this difficult time."

Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said the state government would work to try to prevent another tragedy.

"I am extremely concerned that there have been five mining and quarry worker deaths in the last 12 months," he said in a statement.

"My office is working with the Mines Inspectorate and the Department to determine the best means by which we can [prevent more]."

A Workplace Health and Safety investigation is underway into the death.

Mr Routledge has been remembered as a genuine person who loved his family. ( Facebook )

Tributes flow for proud family man

Close friends of Mr Routledge have taken to social media to remember him as a "great bloke" and family man.

"You were such a great bloke and was always the happiest to work with," friend Brenton Rosentreter said.

"Never a dull moment with you."

Another friend, Steven Kraatz, said he was saddened by the loss.

"Such a genuine, happy man who spoke non-stop about his family, especially his wife," he said,

"It will be a lesser place without him in it."