Boards and Committees

The Mining Industry Advisory Committee (MIAC) was established in April 2005 under section 14A of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (the OSH Act) as a statutory advisory body on matters relating to occupational safety and health in the mining industry.  

Key objectives

The key objectives of MIAC are to:

• Advise and make recommendations to the Ministers and the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health ('the Commission') on occupational safety and health matters concerning the mining industry
• Liaise with the Commission to coordinate activities on related functions and to maintain parallel standards
• Inquire into and report to the Ministers regarding any matter referred to it by the Ministers relating to occupational safety and health in the mining industry
• Make recommendations to the Minister for Mines regarding the formulation, amendment or repeal of laws relating to occupational safety and health for which that Minister is responsible
• Prepare or recommend the adoption of codes of practice, guidance material, standards and specifications or other forms of guidance for the purpose of assisting employers, self-employed persons, employees, manufacturers or other persons to maintain appropriate standards of occupational safety and health in the mining industry
• Provide advice on education and publications, and training and training courses, with respect to occupational safety and health in the mining industry.

Membership

The tripartite membership of MIAC is determined jointly by the Minister or Ministers responsible for the administration of the OSH Act and the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.

The chairperson of MIAC is determined under section 14A of the OSH Act and is a member of the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health.

The new Chairperson is Mr Malcolm Russell, Executive Director, Resources Safety Division of the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

The newly appointed membership comprises:

• Mr Martin Knee, State Mining Engineer, Resources Safety
• Ms Nicole Roocke, The Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia
• Mr Darren Batchler, The Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia
• Mr Gary Wood, UnionsWA
• Mr Stephen Price, UnionsWA
• Dr Peter Lilly, expert member.

Meetings and plans for 2009

The first two meetings for 2009 were held on 29 and 30 June. Future meetings are scheduled for every second Thursday of every second month.

Plans for the remainder of 2009 include:

• Submission of members’ comments, to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum, on the recommendations arising from the statutory review of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 conducted by Commissioner S J Kenner
• Formulation of a strategic plan for MIAC.

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The Board of Examiners is established under section 48 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (WA). Section 48 (2) provides for the Board to have the following functions:

1. To examine in accordance with the regulations the qualifications, experience and character of applicants for certificates of competency and issue such certificates where appropriate
2. To receive, consider and inquire into complaints concerning holders of certificates of competency and to suspend or cancel such certificate where appropriate
3. To perform such other functions as may be conferred in the regulations.

The Board of Examiners assesses applications for Certificates of Competency after candidates have completed and passed an examination determined by the Board.

Board members comprise representatives of the mining profession from both industry and academia.

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The Mines Survey Board is established under section 82 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (WA), which provides for the Mines Survey Board to have the following functions:

1. To advise the Minister on survey matters relating to mines and mining operations, including quarries and quarry operations
2. To examine the qualifications, experience and character of persons applying for authorised mine surveyor’s certificates and issue such certificates where appropriate
3. To deal with complaints concerning the holders of authorised mine surveyor’s certificates and to suspend or cancel such certificates where appropriate.

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