• Panel members sought for 2018 examination panel
• Practising certificate applications open
• Fact sheet published on heat stress

EOI: Examination panel members sought for competencies assessment

Expressions of interest are sought from suitably qualified and experienced people for appointment as an examination panel member for certificates of competence.

Examination panel members are appointed by the Mining and Petroleum Competence Board (MPCB) under the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013.

The examination panel’s function is to undertake assessments of competence, and make recommendations to the MPCB of a person’s competence to exercise a statutory function. An examination panel is made up of subject matter experts, including Resources Regulator inspectors and statutory position holders within industry.

Practising certificates: Stage 2 applications open

Practising certificate applications are now open for the following statutory functions:

• Undermanager of underground coal mines
• Quarry manager of mines other than underground mines or coal mines

If you hold a certificate of competence, you will need to apply for a practising certificate to exercise specific statutory functions as required under the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2014. Practising certificates are issued for five years and require the holder to undertake ongoing learning as part of the maintenance of competence scheme.

Practising certificates are being launched in stages, by type of practising certificate. To find out upcoming application dates for other statutory functions, view our implementation timeline. 

How to apply 
To apply for a practising certificate for a statutory function listed above, complete and submit the Practising certificate application form available on our website. The implementation period for these functions runs until 30 November 2018.

More information 
Information on the maintenance of competence scheme and practising certificates is available on our website including frequently asked questions. For further advice contact the NSW Resources Regulator’s mining competence team on 4931 6625 or 1300 736 122 or email minesafety.competence@industry.nsw.gov.au.

Heat stress in underground metalliferous mines

Heat stress occurs when the body’s means of controlling its internal temperature starts to fail. Air temperature, humidity, air flow, work rate, acclimatisation, radiant temperature and clothing (including personal protective equipment) are all factors that can contribute to heat stress.

It may not be obvious to underground workers that they are at risk of heat stress. Workers may be exposed to heat stress and other potentially harmful health effects from working in hot and humid conditions underground.

The Resources Regulator has published a fact sheet on dealing with heat stress in underground metalliferous mines.