PPE for airborne contaminants

Mine workers may be exposed to dangerous levels of respirable airborne dust in their work environment. Even though personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last line of defence against airborne contaminants it is essential that the PPE used is in good working condition and used correctly.

The PPE is designed to protect a worker's eyes, nose, mouth, and respiratory system from airborne contaminants such as fibres, dust, gas, and vapour.

Safe Work Australia's safety seminar video shows how to properly put on, wear, and remove PPE when managing airborne contaminants, and how to safely dispose of it.

Safe Work Australia: Personal protective equipment for airborne contaminants

Worker injured releasing jammed conveyor chain

In February, a shearer operator working at the Springvale Colliery in Lithgow, NSW, was injured in the process of releasing a jammed armoured face conveyor chain using the shearer on a longwall.

The injury occurred when an eight-tonne working load limit Rud link (pictured), located on the shearer ranging arm, failed due to overload.

The shearer operator was hit on the leg by recoiling components of the tow rope assembly when the Rud link failed.

Read the full investigation information release and recommendations.

Investigation information release: Worker injured releasing jammed conveyor chain

New Design Order takes effect January 2020

We have issued a new Design Order – the Registration of Design of Plant Used to Determine or Monitor the Presence of Gas Order 2020. The new Order commences on 1 January 2020, with the current Order dated 2015, remaining in effect until 2020. All existing design registrations remain in place and are not affected by the new Order.

The new Order was issued to clarify the design, performance and testing requirements for plant subject to the Order.

New design Order for plant used to determine or monitor the presence of gas

Regulator Portal FAQs

Many of you will be familiar with our new Regulator Portal, which was launched in December.

The online portal allows mine operators the ability to track the process of notifications and applications and view the activity history for your site. It also provides access to online forms including:

A form for notifying us of an incident under the WHS laws
A form for notifying us about high-risk activities
Submission of quarterly work health safety reports

We've received feedback and have created a series of frequently asked questions to assist you in accessing and using the Regulator Portal. These are now available on the portal.

Regulator Portal

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

Regional NSW, Resources Regulator

516 High St

Maitland, New South Wales 2320

Australia

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