The WorkSafe Mine Safety inspectorate has announced that all Western Australian mines must have a fully developed mine safety management system framework by March 31.
A mine safety management system (MSMS) is a code of practice that guides mine operators to meet the requirements of the Work Health and Safety mines regulations and the Work Health and Safety general regulation.
All WA mines were originally required to have a fully developed MSMS by March 31 2023. This included having all the required site-specific documentation, risk assessments, controls, structures, and statutory appointments in place and fully documented, with processes in place to implement the system.
The deadline was pushed to March 31 this year after the WorkSafe Mine Safety inspectorate recognised a pattern of mine operators having a poor understanding of the requirements involved in developing a MSMS.
As a result of this trend, the inspectorate has found that some mines haven’t implemented the framework properly.
The Department of Energy, Mining, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) said a common mine safety management system doesn’t meet hazard and risk management requirements across different workplaces, with a MSMS framework needing to be adapted for a site’s specific hazards and risks.
“The MSMS must be readily available to any worker at the mine and provided to allow workers to understand the hazards, risks, and controls that are in place to ensure they are not exposed to harm while at work,” the DEMIRS said.
“The Mines Safety inspectorate will take regulatory action where appropriate in instances where it is identified that the MSMS has not been fully developed as required.”
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