What are mine record books?

 

 

Under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and associated regulations, a mine record book is used by mining operations, including exploration operations not on a mine site, and mines inspectors to record:

• details and results of an inspection by a mines inspector
• details of improvement, prohibition and provisional improvement notices
• statutory appointments and rosters, and other management appointments
• details of incidents and accidents.

The mine record book must be of the type approved by the State Mining Engineer. It is required to be 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.

The registered manager or quarry manager is responsible for ensuring that any defects entered in the mine record book are rectified. The mine record book is to be open at all reasonable times for inspection by every person working at the mining operation.

Further information: The mine record book and other log and record books should be maintained for the duration of the mining operation and 6 years after its suspension or abandonment, as described in section 89 of the Act. If the principal employer appears likely to go into liquidation, steps must be taken to ensure such books are securely kept for the required period.

A mine record book is required to be kept at the exploration manager’s principal office in Western Australia (see ss. 23 and 89 of the Act, and r. 3.2 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995)

The exploration manager is responsible for ensuring that any defects entered in the mine record book are rectified.

Further information: The mine record book and other 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.

Records for operators and drivers

For each person authorised or found to be competent to:

• undertake high risk work
• operate a winding engine
• operate a hoist
• operate any plant at the mine site

the registered manager must record in the mine record book:

• the name of the person
• the date on which the person was authorised or found to be competent;
• if the person undertook a test or practical trial - the date on which the test or trial was undertaken, and the name and signature of the person who carried out the test or trial.

Records for hoist drivers

For each person who is competent to operate a hoist, the registered manager must record in the mine record book:

• name of the person
• date on which the manager determined that the person was competent to operate a hoist
• date on which the person was tested and the name and signature of the person who carried out the test.

If the registered manager makes a determination that a person is no longer competent to operate a hoist, the registered manager must record in the mine record book:

• date on which the determination was made
• reasons for the determination
• date on which the operator was notified of the determination by the manager.

Records for electrical appointments

The following information must be recorded in the mine record book by the manager of the mine:

• the appointment of an electrical supervisor or the cancellation of any such appointment
• the electrical supervisor’s area of responsibility
• the appointment of a high voltage (HV) operator.

Records for a misfire

A record of the inspection and action taken after a charge has misfired must be recorded in the mine record book. This must be done at the end of shift by the person making the inspection.

Recording a dangerous situation underground

If any part of an underground mine is dangerous from any cause, the person in charge must:

• have every person withdrawn immediately from that part
• as soon as is practicable, report the matter to the underground manager or manager, who must record the withdrawal and the reason for it in the mine record book.