Your comments needed on Ground Control

December 17, 2018 JOHN NINNESS

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is seeking public comment on a suite of guidance materials developed for ground control for WA mining operations.

The department has prepared a draft code of practice for ground control for Western Australian mining operations. This code of practice will assist those operating a mine to consider the geotechnical aspects for the safe design, construction, operation and closure of the mine workings for which they are responsible so they may meet their legislative obligations for occupational safety and health under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.

In addition, the department has developed a draft ground control management in WA mining operations guideline. It is designed for those who have control of a mine (e.g. employer, Registered Manager, Quarry Manager, Underground Mine Manager), or have operational functions and responsibilities for ground control. You should also use this guideline if you design, manufacture or supply plant that can influence ground stability or be influenced by ground movement.

The guideline is written to accommodate diverse mining scenarios from small sand pits and quarries through to large surface operations and deep, geologically complex underground mines.

Submissions close 5 pm WST, Friday 1 March 2019. 

More information, including a copy of the draft code and how to provide comment using the submission template, is available on the consultation page.

Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers report – now available

A new research report to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers has found a third experience high levels of psychological distress compared to only 17 per cent of non-FIFO workers.

The research report, Impact of FIFO work arrangements on the mental health and wellbeing of FIFO workers, was funded by the Mental Health Commission (MHC) and is one of the most comprehensive FIFO research studies undertaken in Australia.

Mental health and wellbeing is a commitment of DMIRS’ Towards 2020 regulatory strategy. This includes the drafting of a code of practice for mentally healthy workplaces for FIFO workers in the resources and construction sectors in WA.

The full report and the executive summary are available from the MHC website.

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