Mines Safety Approvals
Resources Safety promotes safety in the mining, dangerous goods and onshore petroleum industries through education, enforcement and specialist advice.
The Division administers the following legislation and roles:
- Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and regulations (Occupational safety and health legislation)
State Mining Engineer - Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 and regulations (Licensing and public safety legislation)
Chief Dangerous Goods Officer - Resources Safety also provides specialist technical advice to the Petroleum and Environment Division in relation to onshore petroleum facilities and pipelines, as part of their approval processes.
Page Index
Project Management Plans
Under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994, the operator must prepare a Project Management Plan before any mining operation commences. This must be submitted for assessment to the State Mining Engineer, and approved prior to start-up.
The Plan is used to identify potential major safety risks for the proposed operations, and acts as a starting point for developing ongoing safety management strategies to address those risks.
Forms, Guidelines and Checklists
Project Management Plan (PMP) submissions are now an online operation, and can be accessed via the Safety Regulation System - Approvals.
Preparation of a PMP for submission will be a guided, step-by-step approach, with extensive help facilities available. Unique IDs allow PMPs to be saved and re-called for further development over a number of sessions. Following submission, feedback on assessment of the PMP will be via emails.
Classified Plant - Application to Register
The principal employer and any other employer at a mine site must ensure that all plant is operated and maintained in a safe manner. There are many types of plant at a mine site but there is a particular group, related to a higher operational hazard, referred to as 'classified plant', that has specific regulatory requirements.
The Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 (WA) require all classified plant at a mine site to be registered before being used. This requirement applies to plant listed in regulation 6.34(5). The design and functional descriptions of these items of classified plant are given in regulation 6.1 - it is these definitions that are ultimately used to determine the name of a particular plant and, consequently, whether or not it must be registered.
Applications received from a mining company to register classified plant and equipment are assessed, and the applicant will then be sent details of registration and any associated conditions (e.g. Pressure or load tests required).
Forms, Guidelines and Checklists
Forms
Although there is no requirement for a specific application form, there is a pro-forma for the “registration of classified plant - all types” form. This form is designed to ensure that the application process is completed satisfactorily without unnecessary delay, and is a particularly useful guide for those applying for the first time.
Guidelines
Certificate of Competency
Under the Mines Safety & Inspection Regulations 1995, persons wishing to obtain employment as a Mine or Quarry Manager, Mine Supervisor, or Mine Surveyor must hold a Certificate of Competency.
The employee must pass an examination, and is assessed on qualifications, experience and character by the Board of Examiners, before a decision is made on the issue of a Certificate of Competency.
Forms, Guidelines and Checklists
Noise Officer
Under Part 7 Division 1 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995, a Noise Report must be prepared within 12 months of the commencement of mining operations, or when the noise level increases, or when directed to do so by an inspector. The noise data are collected by a person approved to collect the data, called a “noise officer”. The noise officer must use only approved procedures and approved sound measurement equipment.
Forms, Guidelines and Checklists
Forms
