WorkSafe has extended the transition period to complete the mining statutory position certification from March 30 2025 to March 30 2026.
Statutory positions in a mine are appointed by the mine operator to carry out specific functions in relation to the operations of a mine.
Under current transitional arrangements, if a competent person is not appropriate (does not yet satisfy the requirements to be appointed), they can still be appointed to a statutory position for the period ending on March 31 2025.
Following the commencement of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 in March 2022, workers who held an equivalent role could be appointed to a statutory position for a three-year transition period. This has now been extended to a four years.
Positions requiring statutory certificates include site senior executives, exploration, underground, and quarry managers, electrical, underground, and statutory supervisors, mine air quality officers, and surveyors.
After the new deadline, appointed person must meet the eligibility criteria for their statutory position, including having passed any required examination.
The extended transition period is aimed at ensuring applicants can attend the relevant examination.
To bring surveyors in line with other statutory positions, they are now also required to be certified in work health and safety risk management.
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