All the latest news in mine health and safety in NSW

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In this issue:

Safety bulletin on wireless operated hazard control reduction devices
Consolidated TAP report - airborne contaminants in underground metalliferous mines
Consolidated TAP report - explosion suppression underground coal
Exemption issued for audiometric testing requirements
Mine Safety Levy report
Health Control Plan workshops
Mining and Petroleum Competence Board annual report

Safety bulletin issued about wireless operated hazard control reduction devices

An issue has been identified about the use of a wireless-controlled hazard reduction device (HRD) that maintains full open circuit voltage (OCV) of the welding machine for a predefined period, regardless of whether the operator has struck an arc.

This initial time period can be adjusted from one to four seconds with the manufacturer’s default value being two seconds. Should the initial weld be interrupted through this arc initiation period, the OCV remains available at the handpiece until the initial arc strike timer has timed out.

The OCV may not return to a safe level within the 300 mSec time specified in the relevant Australian and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards.

To read the full safety bulletin and recommendations to industry go to the website or download a copy below.

Download the safety bulletin here

Airborne contaminants underground

The Resources Regulator has published a consolidated targeted assessment report summarising the findings of assessments undertaken in relation to the hazard of airborne contaminants in underground metalliferous mines.

These assessments began in August 2017 and were completed at five mines. The targeted assessment is an in-depth look at the control measures for airborne contaminants and their implementation.

The assessments are undertaken by a multi-disciplined team of Resources Regulator inspectors using both desktop and on-site assessment. The findings of the assessments are grouped into those that are specific to the hazard of airborne contaminants, and those that could be generally applied to all aspects of critical control measure implementation.

All safety assessment programs can be downloaded from the department's website.

Download the consolidated report here

Explosion suppression underground coal

The Resources Regulator has published a consolidated targeted assessment report summarising the findings of assessments undertaken in relation to the risk of coal dust explosion in underground coal mines.

These assessments commenced in October 2016, and to date have been completed at 16 mines. The targeted assessment is an in-depth look at the control measures for coal dust explosion and their implementation.

The assessments are undertaken by a multi-disciplined team of Mine Safety inspectors using both desktop and on-site assessment. The findings of the assessments are grouped into those that are specific to the hazard of coal dust explosion, and those that could be generally applied to all aspects of critical control measure implementation.

All safety assessment programs can be downloaded from the department's website.

Download the consolidated report here

Exemption issued for testing requirements

SafeWork NSW has issued a further one year exemption for the audiometric testing requirements of clause 58(2) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (the Reg).

The previous exemption expired on 1 January 2018. The new exemption will apply for the period 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018.

The exemption has been granted because a national review of the model WHS legislation is due to commence in February 2018, which could result in changes to the WHS Act and/or WHS Reg – including Clause 58 Audiometric testing.

Please note, the granting of this exemption does not lessen PCBU's legislative duties to control hazardous noise.

Please visit our website for the latest exemption.

Annual report outlines achievements

The Resources Regulator has published its annual Mine Safety Levy report to industry.

Since it was established on 1 July 2016, the NSW Resources Regulator has undertaken a reform program to ensure it is modelling best practice and deploying resources to where they are most needed.

The Mine and Petroleum Site Safety (Cost Recovery) Act 2005 (the Act) establishes the Mine and Petroleum Site Safety Fund, commonly referred to as the Mine and Petroleum Site Safety Levy. It is a levy charged by the NSW Government to pay for health and safety regulation of the state’s mining workplaces.

Download the report here

Health control plan workshops to be held

All mines, quarries and petroleum sites are required to develop and implement a health control plan. To assist mines with this, the Resources Regulator will be delivering workshops across NSW.

‘Develop and implement a health control plan’ workshop is targeting sites that are yet to develop and or implement their health control plan.

Sites that have already implemented a health control plan or who are looking to bring their health management plan in-line with current legislative requirements, may find the ‘Evaluate and review a health control plan’ workshop of assistance.

The workshop is best suited to those who have responsibility for the implementation of the Health Control Plan.

Please note: Some venues are to be advised.

Please register your interest in attending, including the location and number of attendees, at stacie.kendall@planning.nsw.gov.au.

Develop and Implement a Health Control Plan
Broken Hill
7^th February 2018
8:30am – 12:30pm
Ivory Room - Broken Hill Musicians Club
276 Crystal Street Broken Hill

Wagga Wagga
9^th February 2018
8:30am – 12:30pm
Pacific Room – Wagga Wagga RSL Club
Dobbs Street Wagga Wagga

Campbelltown
21 February 2018
8:30am – 12:30 pm
The Macquarie Room – Campbelltown Catholic Club
20 Camden Road Campbelltown

Blacktown
22 February 2018
8:30am – 12:30pm
Phillip and Macquarie Rooms – Atura Blacktown
32 Cricketers Arms Road Prospect

Mudgee
7 March 2018
8:30am – 12:30pm
To be determined

Orange
8 March 2018
8:30am – 12:30pm
To be determined

Ballina
20 March 2018
8:30am – 12:30pm
The Point
2 Martin Street Ballina

Coffs Harbour
21 March 2018
8:30am – 12:30pm
Osprey Room – Opal Cove Resort
Opal Boulevarde Coffs Harbour

Port Macquarie
22 March 2018
8:30am – 12:30pm
The Basement – Panthers Port Macquarie
1 Bay Street Port Macquarie

Evaluate and Review a Health Control Plan
Wollongong
20 February 2018
8:30am – 12:30pm
To be determined

Lithgow
6 March 2018
8:30am – 12:30pm
To be determined

Board publishes its third annual report

The NSW Mining and Petroleum Competence Board has published its third annual report. The board is a statutory board that advises the Minister for Resources and the Resources Regulator on the:

setting of competence standards
standards for assessing competence
requirements for the maintenance of competence

for exercising functions at a mine or petroleum site that impact on the health and safety of any person.

The board agreed on a vision to develop an efficient and effective scheme to ensure people carrying out statutory functions under work health and safety (WHS) laws are competent to carry out those roles to best practice WHS and engineering standards.
To achieve the vision, the board has identified the following priorities to 2020:

Develop world-leading competence standards for statutory functions requiring certificates of competence.
Develop a scheme for practising certificates.
Identify and address emerging issues for statutory functions involving certificates of competence.
Develop and implement a collaborative communication strategy.

Implementing actions in these priority areas will contribute to achieving the aim of the regulator for a safe and responsible mining, extractive and petroleum industry in NSW.

The full report can be found on the department's website.

Further contact info:
Resources Regulator | Phone: 1300 814 609
mine.safety@industry.nsw.gov.au

Regional NSW, Resources Regulator

516 High St

Maitland, New South Wales 2320

Australia

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