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29 September 2022
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The Resources Regulator has released its Investigation Report into an incident in which a worker was seriously injured at Myuna Colliery, an underground coal mine at Lake Macquarie, on 5 February 2021.

The 45-year-old was helping to install roof bolts using a continuous miner when it needed to be repositioned. The worker moved aside but as the continuous miner trammed forward, a conveyor boom attached to its rear pinned the worker to the wall of the mine (known as the rib).

The worker suffered serious injuries, including a lower left arm fracture requiring surgery, loss of a kidney, rib fractures, and spinal, shoulder, cardiac and psychological injuries.

The investigation determined there were multiple factors that contributed to the incident, including a lack of effective communication and lack of situational awareness.

The Regulator makes several recommendations to mine operators on proximity detection systems, administrative controls, communication and first aid and emergency response, as well as to workers for communication, situational awareness and safe work location rules.
Read the full investigation report

Managing psycho-social risks and hazards at work

A series of amendments to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, including a new requirement to address psycho-social risk and hazards, will commence 1 October 2022.

Psycho-social hazards are those that may cause psychological harm and relate to:

  • a work environment, including its design and management 

  • plant at a workplace 

  • workplace interactions or behaviours.  

Psycho-social risks are any risks to the health and safety of a worker or other person arising from a psycho-social hazard.

Operators will now be required to implement control measures that eliminate or minimise psycho-social risks as far as reasonably practical.

Learn more

Join us for MEMSS

Tickets are still available for the 2nd Mining Engineering Managers’ Safety Seminar (MEMMS) on 12–13 October, 2022 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. 

This event is an excellent opportunity for mining engineers, quarry managers, people in safety and operational leadership roles and major supplier representatives to come together to listen to presentations that will address a broad range of topics relevant to mining engineering in NSW mines. The full agenda is available on our website.

There are limited tickets available for the event, including full seminar tickets (2-day pass plus seminar dinner on the 12 October) and single day passes. 

Register here

Have your say - Resources Regulator safety seminars

Currently the Regulator hosts 3 separate 2-day safety seminars each year to engage with industry and provide education to mine operators and workers about health and safety issues in the workplace. These are called the:

  • Mechanical Engineering Safety Seminar (MESS)
  • Mining Engineering Managers’ Safety Seminar (MEMSS)
  • Electrical Engineering Safety Seminar (EESS)

The Regulator is seeking industry feedback about the opportunity to merge all 3 annual safety seminars listed above into one major industry event (Resources Regulator Safety Seminar) in 2023/2024.

This concept may offer efficiencies in terms of planning the events, and will go some way to addressing scheduling conflicts with forums organised by other industry stakeholders, however most importantly will provide an opportunity for the Regulator to engage with key statutory function holders at mines collectively, as many of the topics currently discussed at the individual forums have some direct relevance to the other 2 streams.  

This new concept would see attendees participate in a plenary session on day 1, followed by breaking into the 3 respective streams on day 2. A seminar dinner would still occur on the evening of day 1. At this early stage we are simply researching venue options and costings and whether industry is open to the concept.

We have created a short survey to seek your feedback and would appreciate your input by 27 October 2022.

Take the survey

EESS - Last chance to secure your discounted tickets

Individuals keen to take advantage of the early bird discount for the 30th Electrical Engineering Safety Seminar (EESS) to be held 9-12 November at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth have until the end of September to act!

Early bird tickets include the 2-day seminar and dinner on 9 November with a special guest speaker. However there are limited tickets available so act now to avoid disappointment.

Purchase early bird tickets now

Meet the small mines team

The Resources Regulator small mines team works across NSW rolling out regulatory programs suited to operators of quarries and opal mines.

The team audits management plans and systems, inspects working areas, investigates incidents and assesses candidates for quarry managers practising certificates. They also provide education and guidance to industry through online webinars and face-to-face workshops.

The small mines team averages 350,000 kilometres annually across regional NSW - its inspectors and safety officers are based in Armidale, Maitland, Dubbo, Orange, Lightning Ridge and Wollongong.

The small mines team comprises the following personnel: Dan Bolton (Principal Inspector), Angus Mcdouall, Alison Burgess, Jane Daly, Mihai Leonte, John Norcott, Grahame Vernon, Phil Morton, Mat Barnes, Ron Dillon, John Tsallos, Shane O’Grady and Rachael Turner.

Visit our website

Call for expressions of interest – certificate of competence examiner

We are seeking additional expressions of interest (EOIs) to be certificate of competence reserve (casual) examiners for the following statutory functions:

  • Open cut examiner
  • Deputy
  • Underground mine supervisor
  • Mining engineering manager underground mines other than coal
  • Electrical engineer and manager.
Successful candidates will benefit from personal development through exposure to assessment processes. They will also be remunerated and paid for travel expenses, and eligible to claim learning hours for practising certificate maintenance of competence requirements. 

For more information visit our website or contact the mining competence team at mca@regional.nsw.gov.au or 4063 6461.
More information

Practising certificate renewals

Holders of practising certificates are reminded to renew their practising certificate well before the 5-year expiry date.

Three months before expiry a reminder email will be sent to the address on the Resources Regulator portal record of the practising certificate holder. The holder should apply through the portal at least 6 weeks prior to expiry to ensure they receive their new certificate in plenty of time.
 
Further information can be sought from the mining competence team at mca@regional.nsw.gov.au or 4063 6461.

Access the portal

Changes for quarry manager tier 2 practising certificates

Only 1 day remains for operators to submit applications for the tier 2 quarries practising certificates assessment process with an inspector on site.

From 1 October 2022, new applicants can only apply for a tier 2 quarries certificate by satisfying the qualification and experience gazetted requirements.

Further information is on our Applying for a practising certificate webpage. For specific questions contact the Mining competence team at mca@regional.nsw.gov.au or 1300 814 609 (option 2 and then 3).

More information

Upcoming events 

Information session: Updates to legislation for winding systems (person riding hoists) 

Hear about changes to legislation and general requirements for winding systems used in small gemstone mines on Tuesday 18 October in Lightning Ridge.

Participants will be encouraged to discuss key learnings from their experiences and participate in constructive technical discussion with inspectors from the mechanical and electrical engineering teams.

Request an invitation

Opal mining safety workshop

Tickets are SOLD OUT for the final Opal mining safety workshop for 2022 in Lightning Ridge on 8 and 9 November. Please email rr.workshops@regional.nsw.gov.au to go on a waiting list for 2023 workshops.

MISHEF - 16 November 2022

The Metalliferous Industry Safety and Health Engagement Forum (MISHEF) will be held on 16 November 2022 in Dubbo and Broken Hill to share knowledge across the metalliferous mining industry.

See all upcoming events

Host a 'SafeTea' this October 

SafeWork NSW is encouraging workplaces to host a SafeTea event next month for National Safe Work Month.

Every October SafeWork NSW asks businesses, employers, and workers to raise work, health and safety awareness during National Safe Work Month and commit to building safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.

This year they're urging workplaces to grab a cuppa, gather the team, and start the important conversation about health and safety at work.

More information

In case you missed it...

The following are recent publications and updates available on our website:

Missed an edition? Visit the Mine Safety News online archive
Visit the Resources Regulator website
Further information:
Resources Regulator  |  1300 814 609  |  info@resourcesregulator.planning.nsw.gov.au

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