Emergency Planning in Mine Operations

Legislation Notes

• A principal hazard is any activity, process, procedure, plant, structure, substance, situation, or other circumstance relating to the carrying out of mining operations that have a reasonable potential to result in multiple deaths in a single incident or a series of recurring incidents. These incidents are related to the following:
  • Ground or strata failure (20)
  • Inundation or inrush of any substance (8)
  • Roads or other vehicle operating areas (8)
  • Fire and explosion (8)
  • Subsidence (6)
  • Spontaneous combustion (4)
  • Air quality or dust or other airborne contaminants
  • Gas outbursts (4)
  • Mine shafts and winding systems
  • A hazard identified by the mine operator under cl34 of the WHS Regs. (Workers Health and Safety Regulations)

Managing Risks

• A PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) must manage health and safety risks in accordance with part 3.1 of the WHS Regs.
• A risk assessment must be conducted by a competent person, having regard to the nature of the hazard.
• In conducting a risk assessment, the person must consider:
  • The nature of the hazard
  • The likelihood of the hazard affecting the health and safety of persons
  • The severity of the potential health and safety consequences.
• A PCBU must keep a record of each risk assessment, the person's competency who conducted the assessment, and the control measures implemented to minimize any risks.
• A PCBU is not required to keep a record of a risk assessment if:
  • The risk assessment is one that an individual worker is required to carry out before commencing a particular task.
  • The person keeps a record of risk assessments that address the overall activity being undertaken such as a risk assessment for the mine's SMS or for a PHMP (Principal Hazard Management Plan).

Review of Control Measures

• A PCBU must review, and as necessary revise, controls measures implemented under section 5(B) if:
  • An audit on the effectiveness of the SMS for the mine indicates a deficiency in a control measure.
  • A worker is moved from a hazard or assigned to different work in response to a recommendation contained in a health monitoring report.
  • An incident referred to in clause 124 occurs.
  • Any other incident occurs that is required to be notified to the regulator under WHS laws.
• The operator of a mine site must ensure that a control measure that is the subject of a request by a health and safety rep under cl38 of the WHS Regs. is reviewed and as necessary revised.

Record of Certain Reviews of Control Measures

• This section applies to an operator of a mine site who has reviewed a control measure under cl38 of the WHS Regs. in response to a notifiable incident referred to in s 124.
• The operator must keep a record of:
  • The causes (or likely causes) of the incident
  • The work health and safety matters arising from an incident
  • Recommendations arising from consideration of the incident
  • The outcomes of any review or revision of any control measures or any part of the SMS
  • A summary of any changes to the SMS for the mine and any affected PHMP for the mine
• The operator must provide any records to the regulator if required by notice in writing.

Contents of a Safety Management System

• The health and safety policy of the operator of the mine site, including broad aims in relation to the safe operation of the mine site.
• Arrangements for managing risks in accordance with section 14.
• Systems, procedures, plans, and other control measures used to control risks to health and safety associated with mining operations at the mine site (PHMP, PCP).
• Procedures for the review of control measures and record management to ensure WHS compliance.
• The management structure for management of work, health, and safety at the mine site.
• Arrangements in place for supervision needed to protect workers and other persons from risks to their health and safety.
• Arrangements for effective communication of information across shifts and the procedures for documenting those communications.
• Arrangements in place for health monitoring.
• Control measures used to control risks to health and safety for activities associated with contractors.
• Arrangements for consultation, co-operation, and coordination of activities for compliance with workers’ health and safety laws.
• Arrangements for worker training and instruction.
• Procedures for workers’ induction.
• Emergency procedures.

Performance Standards and Audit

• The SMS (safety management system) for a mine site includes performance standards for measuring the effectiveness of all aspects of the SMS. These standards need to be detailed enough to show how the operator will ensure the effectiveness of the SMS, alongside steps to be taken to continually improve the system. Standards must detail how these are met. A system for auditing the effectiveness of the SMS against the standards should be outlined, including methods, frequency, and results of the audit process.

Review of the SMS

• The SMS should be reviewed within 12 months of the commencement of mining operations and at least every 3 years thereafter.
• If a control measure is revised, the SMS for the mine site needs to be reviewed and, as necessary, revised to address all aspects of risk control addressed by the revised control measure.

Duties to Provide Information

• Duties to provide information to the operator of an adjoining mine site, on request. This includes conditions at the site or proposed activities that could create a risk.
• Duties for an operator to provide information to a contractor, about the operations.
• A contractor's duty to provide information to the operator (about the operations).

Contractors to Prepare Plan or Use SMS

• A contractor must not carry out mining operations at a mine site unless the contractor has prepared a plan, provided a copy to the operator, had it reviewed by the operator to ensure it aligns with the mine's SMS.
• Subsection one does not apply to a contractor when they have reviewed the mine site's SMS and notified the operator that they believe it aligns with their arrangements for managing risks.
• A health and safety management plan prepared by the contractor must meet requirements under section 14. Include worker safety and ensure the plan is understandable.

(Division 2)

Principle Hazard and Control Plan

• Identify all principal hazards associated with mining operations at a mine site.
• Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment related to each identified principal hazard, using appropriate methods.
• Use investigation and analysis techniques suited to the specific hazard.
• Consider how the hazard interacts with other hazards at the mine site.
• Prepare a PHMP (Principal Hazard Management Plan) for each hazard associated with mine site operations and schedule 1.
  • Describe the hazard's nature and its relation to other hazards at the site.
  • Explain the methods used in identifying the hazard.
  • Record the latest risk assessment.
  • Detail the investigation and analysis methods employed in deciding on control measures.
  • Outline the control measures to be put in place to address risks.
  • Describe arrangements for worker training/information.
  • Identify the standards/techniques used for the control measures.
  • Explain the rationale behind the decision to adopt or reject a particular control measure.
  • The operator must consider specific factors when preparing the PHMP for a principal hazard at the mine site, including any matter set out in schedule 1 and any other significant considerations related to managing risks at the site.

(Schedules in this section are not detailed in this summary)

(Division 3)

Communications Between Outgoing and Incoming Shifts

• The supervisor of the outgoing shift provides a written report to the incoming shift on the state of workings, plant, and any other health and safety-related matter.
• The outgoing supervisor acknowledges the report’s accuracy and signs the acknowledgment.
• The incoming supervisor communicates the report’s content to the workers.
• The incoming supervisor acknowledges the communication.

Movement of Mobile Plant

• The design, layout, construction, and maintenance of roads used by mobile plant (including drainage).
• Any risks related to terrain or land adjacent to roads.
• Interactions between mobile plant (large and small), plant and structures, and with pedestrians.
• Operation of remotely controlled mobile plant.
• Maintenance, inspection, and testing of mobile plant safety features.

Explosives and Explosive Precursors

• Explosives and precursors at a mine must be safe and properly prepared for intended use.
• The explosives need to be as insensitive as practicable to shock, sparks, friction, or the environment in which they are stored, transported, and used.
• Handling must be simple, and control of the explosives is essential.
• All dealings must comply with relevant Australian standards.

(Division 4)

Electrical Safety

• Electrical installation work must be in accordance with wiring rules.
• Circuits are tested
• There needs to be a process for operator notification in the event that testing is conducted
• Arrangements need to be in place for switching off or restoing power in an emergency.
• Isolators must be clearly identifiable
• Competent workers need to be involved with electrical work.
• Plans of electrical installations must be available for each worker who needs to access that information

Division 5

###Consultation of Workers

• A PCBU (Person Conducting a Business) must ensure that a safety role for mine workers is implemented, enabling the identification and management of principal hazards.

( Part 6)

Survey plans

• A survey plan for coal mines is required.
• The regulator may request a survey plan .
• The survey plan must include the location of the mine workings (including disused workings and holes). Installation of plant. Natural and site features.
• A mine operator must undertake all reasonable steps to establish the accuracy of the survey plan and provide records to the relevant authorities.
• There is a review required of the survey plan at least every 12 months and the plan must be reviewed if there are changes to mining activities.
• Survey plans must be available to relevant workers.

(Part 7) ###Information to Regulators

• The operator of a mine or petroleum site needs to produce a record of decommissioning wells
  • Date of decommissioning
  • Rationale behind decommissioning

(Division 3)

Notifications of Incidents

• A PCBU needs to notify the regulator in relation to a notifiable incident that occurrs in a timely way and as soon as reasonably practicable following the incident.
• A copy of the notice needs to be provided to the regulator and any relevant health and safety representatives.

(Division 8) ###Mine Site Records

• The operator of a mining site must maintain records of various notices and reports related to the mine (Notices, Incidents, Reports)..
• The records are to be kept for a time established by WHS law and the WHS laws must be consulted to ascertain the correct duration of retention.
• Records must be available for inspection by mine workers upon request.

(Part 9)

Statutory Functions

• A statutory function is a function identified for a specific class of mine.
• An individual is eligible for nomination to exercise a statutory function only if they meet the given requirements.
• A person cannot exercise a statutory function unless they meet the nomination requirements.

(Division 5)

Certificates of Competence

• An individual is eligible for a certificate of competence if the regulator is satisfied they meet the requirements to carry out the function in question.
• The criteria requirements include completing a specific course/passing certain exams and having specific qualifications or experience.
• There are various specific certificate types required for different functions. (The document outlines the types and requirements for each.)

(Part 10) ###Licensed Activities

• This part applies to sampling and analysis for airborne dust at a coal mine site.
• A person must not carry out such activities without an appropriate license.

(Part 2) ###Health and Safety Duties

• Eliminating risks so far as reasonably practicable.
• Minimizing risks so far as reasonably practicable if elimination is not.
• Assessing likelihood, degree of harm, and available ways to eliminate or minimize those risks.
• Weighing cost against risk and whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.

(Division 2) ###Primary Duty of Care

• The provision and maintenance of a work environment (safe plant and structures, safe systems of work, and proper handling/storage).
• The provision of adequate facilities for worker welfare.
• Communication/training/information so that workers/other persons are protected.

(Division 1)

###Miscellaneous

• The following are considered serious injuries and illnesses: (This document outlines incidents, consequences, and related details )

Test your knowledge on the requirements and components of emergency plans specifically for mine operations. This quiz covers essential elements such as command structure, patient transport, and inspection plans. Ensure you understand what must be included to prepare for potential emergencies effectively.