What log or record books may be required?

On 31 March 2022, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws replaced the health and safety elements of the Mines Safety and Inspection laws. For information visit www.demirs.wa.gov.au/whs

Transitional arrangements may be in place for the compliance requirements on this page.

All health and safety notifications, forms and guidance for mining and petroleum has moved to the WorkSafe website

The information below has been left for historical compliance reference purposes

 

 

Purpose of log and record books

Log and record books are used to record information prescribed in the legislation. For mining operations, including exploration, the manager must keep the following log and record books, in addition to the mine record book:

  • accident log book
  • electrical log book
  • ventilation log book
  • winding engine log book
  • winding rope log book
  • classified plant record book.

A log or record book must be of the type approved by the State Mining Engineer.

The accident log may be either:

  • a hard-covered book with
    • ruled lines and consecutively numbered pages
    • all entries made in ink, and dated and signed, with the name of the person making the entry clearly identified

or

  • an electronic system such that
    • data is only entered by persons who are authorised by the manager and have individual access codes
    • each entry carries the name of the person making the entry and is dated.

The ventilation log, winding engine log, winding rope log and classified plant record books must be a hard copy book, as described above.

The electrical log book must be in the form approved by the Director of EnergySafety, and is printed by EnergySafety. All entries made in the electrical log book must be recorded in ink.

The electrical log book is supplied by the department on request. Electrical supervisors should email MinesSafety@dmirs.wa.gov.au to order copies.

Important note: It is essential to maintain the integrity of the log or record book. Any interference with or deletion of information from such documents (whether hard copy or electronic) is an offence under section 101 of the Act, which relates to false or misleading information.

Mining operation requirements

Log and record books are required to be kept at the mine in Western Australia.

The responsible person, registered manager, underground manager or quarry manager, as appropriate, must ensure that any defects entered in a log or record book are rectified.

Further information: Log and record books should be maintained for the duration of the mining operation and 6 years after its suspension or abandonment. If the principal employer appears likely to go into liquidation or receivership, steps must be taken to ensure such books are securely kept for the required period.

Exploration operation requirements

Log and record books are required to be kept at the exploration manager’s principal office in Western Australia.

It may be useful to provide access to electronic versions for field-based personnel.

The exploration manager is responsible for ensuring that any defects entered in a log or record book are rectified.

Further information: Log and record books should be maintained for the duration of the exploration project and 6 years after its suspension or abandonment. If the tenement owner appears likely to go into liquidation or receivership, steps must be taken to ensure such books are securely kept for the required period.

Accident log book

After any accident, the manager must ensure information about the incident is entered in the accident log book without delay.

The accident log book needs to be available at all reasonable times for inspection by:

  • an inspector
  • an assistant inspector
  • safety and health representative for the mine
  • a representative of a trade union, any member of which is employed at the mine
  • any other person authorised by the State Mining Engineer.

Each complete entry needs to be dated and signed for a hard copy book, or the officer’s name and date of entry are readily identifiable in an electronic system.

Electrical log book

The electrical log book is provided for in-house electrical installing work licence holders, mine managers and electrical contractors to record details of electrical work at the premises where:

  • the Director of EnergySafety (or delegate) has granted an exemption in writing from the requirement to submit a notice for electrical installing work under regulations 51 and 52 of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991
  • the installation is at a mine site and details of particular electrical work and other information must be recorded as prescribed in the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.

Entries must be signed and dated by the person doing the entry. The electrical log book must be made available to an electrical inspector or inspector of mines (electricity) on request.

Further information: The electrical log book must be kept in good order and securely retained for the life of the installation and, in the case of a mine site, for a period of 6 years following mining operations being abandoned, suspected or liquidated.

Visit EnergySafety at the Department of Commerce for more information about electrical log books.

Ventilation log book

The ventilation log book is kept at the mine for the ventilation officer to record the information required by Part 9 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995. Each complete entry needs to be dated and signed in a hard copy book.

Further information on the record keeping requirements for ventilation officers is found at What other records are required?

Refer to rr. 9.5, 9.6, and 9.7 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 for more details

Winding engine log book

A winding engine log book must be kept in each winding engine room at the mine. It is used to record the information required by Part 11 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995, including.

  • the winding engine driver - entering any defects, accidents or incidents that occur in relation to the winding system
  • an inspector who has tested the winding engine before its use - recording that a verification has taken place
  • the manager or the person authorised in writing by the mine manager - recording any repair or correction.

Entries must be signed and dated by the person doing the entry. The log book must be checked daily by the manager or the person authorised in writing by the mine manager.

Refer to rr. 11.5, 11.8 and 11.9 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 for more details

Further information: Before a winding engine is used at the mine each responsible person at a mine must ensure the winding engine has been tested to the satisfaction of the State Mining Engineer. An inspector must verify the winding engine is capable of performing in accordance with its design and within the limitations that apply in relation to its working.

Winding rope log book

A winding rope log book must be kept in each winding engine room at a mine.

The manager of the mine must ensure it records the history of each winding rope used in the mine, including:

  • certificate number of that rope
  • name of the shaft or winze in which the rope is used
  • compartment of the shaft in which the rope is used
  • date on which the rope was put on
  • dates on which the rope was shortened
  • dates on which the rope was re-capped
  • dates of destructive and of non-destructive rope testing
  • result of destructive or non-destructive rope testing
  • date when the rope was taken off and the reason
  • dates of the examination, cleaning, and oiling of the rope as required by these regulations.

A person making an entry in the winding rope log book must sign that entry as soon as practicable.

Refer to rr. 11.40 and 11.41 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 for more details.

Classified plant record book

After inspecting registered classified plant, an inspector or another person approved in writing by the State Mining Engineer must record details of the inspection in the classified plant record book kept at the mine. Details will include:

  • the date of the inspection
  • whether or not the plant was found suitable for use.

Refer to rr. 6.25 and 6.40(2) of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 for more details.