University of Illinois (Chicago) to undertake review of NSW coal industry health surveillance scheme  

The NSW Government has appointed the University of Illinois (Chicago) to undertake an independent quality assurance review of the coal industry health surveillance scheme in NSW. 

The quality assurance review will build on NSW’s comprehensive approach to health issues in the coal mining industry.

The university will report its findings from the review back to the Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) by the end of February 2022.

More information is available on our website. 

Applications reopen for postponed oral exams

Applications have been reopened for certificate of competence oral exams that had been postponed. The exams that have been reopened are:

• Mining engineering manager of coal mines other than underground mines
• Open cut examiner of coal mines other than underground mines

The new oral examination date for these topics is Wednesday 9 February 2022.

You can apply online for an exam through the Resources Regulator portal. Existing candidates who applied for the October 2021 exam do not need to reapply.

Please visit our website for up-to-date information on written exams, oral exams and closing dates for 2022, which are being revised, and will be outlined in our events calendar. 

General information on certificates of competence requirements is available on our website. For specific questions contact us at mca@planning.nsw.gov.au or (02) 4063 6461.

National return to work strategy 

The National Return to Work Strategy 2020 – 2030 is a Safe Work Australia initiative to improve return to work outcomes for workers with a work-related injury or illness. 

Recommendations to meaningfully support workers on their recovery and return to work include:

• empowering workers to play an active role in their own recovery and return to work by providing both practical and psychological support
• providing greater access to workplace arrangements such as flexible scheduling, task modifications, graded return, or role changes.

More information on the National Return to Work Strategy is available on the Safe Work Australia website. 

In case you missed it...

• Consolidated report - Inundation or inrush of any substance - metalliferous (below surface)
• Consolidated report - Inundation or inrush of any substance - underground coal 
• Consolidated report - Fire or explosion – underground metalliferous mines
• Prosecution proceedings against two Inverell men for alleged breaches of mining laws
• Briefing session recording: Maintenance of competence for practising certificates