Guidelines

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

 

 

See Minerals safety - guidance for more information.

Although some guidance material was prepared by previous departments and divisions, the content is still valid.

Guidelines

Health surveillance guidance – Lead (inorganic) - 398 Kb

Lead (inorganic) health surveillance for medical practitioners

Ground control management in Western Australian mining operations - guideline - 1223 Kb

This guideline provides more detail about the control measures that can be taken to eliminate or mitigate hazards associated with unplanned ground movement.

Isolation of hazardous energies associated with plant in Western Australian mining operations - 1804 Kb

This guideline is issued by Resources Safety under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994, and has been endorsed by the Mining Industry Advisory Committee.

Working at height in underground mines - guideline - 1281 Kb

This guideline should be used by anyone planning, supervising or conducting work at height in underground mines.

Vertical opening safety practice in underground mines - guideline - 2026 Kb

This guideline emphasises the nature of some of the more obvious hazards associated with vertical openings, and recommends a system of procedures to avoid or minimise risks.

Underground ventilation (metalliferrous mines) - guideline - 199 Kb

Underground ventilation (metalliferrous mines) - guideline: This guideline is issued to assist in the understanding of underground ventilation in metalliferrous mines and provide guidance on essential design aspects and operating practice.

Underground barring down and scaling - guideline - 271 Kb

Underground barring down and scaling - guideline: This guideline has been issued to assist in the development of procedures relating to scaling of loose or potentially unstable rock in underground metalliferous mines.

Tyre safety for earth-moving machinery on Western Australia mining operations – guideline - 1486 Kb

This guideline describes the common hazards when working with tyres, rims, wheels and assemblies on mining equipment.

Safety management of underground combustible sulphide dust - guideline - 277 Kb

This guideline assists in identifying hazards and developing preventative strategies and training action plans to deal with safe management of underground combustible sulphide dust.

Safety bund walls around abandoned open pit mines - guideline - 491 Kb

This guideline has been issued to assist mining companies with the design of safety bunds required to minimise the potential risk to public safety of inadvertent access to abandoned open pits.

Safety and health risk management - guideline - 319 Kb

This guideline offers a simple, practical approach to carrying out risk management in the workplace.

Risk-based health surveillance and biological monitoring - guideline - 795 Kb

Risk-based health surveillance and biological monitoring - guideline: This guideline assists in meeting requirements relating to biological monitoring and the additional health surveillance required when employees are exposed to hazardous substances.

Refuge chambers in underground mines - guideline - 1564 Kb

Refuge chambers in underground mines - guideline: This guideline provides information on management and use of refuge chambers designed to protect people from exposure to irrespirable atmospheres underground during an emergency.

Railway vehicle drivers (loco drivers) medical fitness - guideline - 401 Kb

Railway vehicle drivers (loco drivers) medical fitness - guideline: This guideline provides guidance on medical fitness to take charge of and drive on a mine railway.

Purchase, operation and maintenance of underground diesel engined mining equipment - guideline - 539 Kb

Purchase, operation and maintenance of underground diesel engined mining equipment - guideline: This guideline assists in the purchase, operation and maintenance of diesel engine mining equipment for underground use in metalliferous mines in WA.

Prevention of fires in underground mines - guideline - 1586 Kb

Prevention of fires in underground mines - guideline: This guideline should be used by anyone planning or conducting underground mining, particularly those persons responsible for the occupational health of workers.

Personnel access to heavy mining machinery - guideine - 125 Kb

Personnel access to heavy mining machinery - guideine: This guidelinee assists in understanding the requirements to be considered for safe personnel access to heavy mining machinery.

Open pit mining through underground workings - guideline - 529 Kb

Open pit mining through underground workings - guideline: This guideline offers advice on the issues that should be addressed when open pit mines are excavated through abandoned underground workings, or in close proximity to current underground workings.

Managing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) - guideline - 1467 Kb

Managing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in mining and mineral processing - guideline: This guideline is for anyone engaged in mining operations that involve or have the potential to involve naturally occurring radioactive material.

Management of noise in Western Australian mining operations - guideline - 1859 Kb

Management of noise in Western Australian mining operations - guideline: This guideline describes how noise exposure is measured, and the requirements for a written noise report and noise control plan.

Management of fibrous minerals in Western Australian mining operations - guideline - 2600 Kb

Management of fibrous minerals in Western Australian mining operations - guideline: This guideline should be used by anyone planning or conducting exploration or mining in areas where fibrous minerals are likely or have been encountered.

Management of diesel emissions in Western Australian mining operations - guideline - 1744 Kb

Management of diesel emissions in Western Australian mining operations - guideline: This guideline should be used by anyone planning or conducting underground mining where diesel engines are likely or are being used.

Management and prevention of heat stress - guideline - 257 Kb

Management and prevention of heat stress - guideline: This guideline offers a practical approach for mine managers and supervisors to assist with managing employees working in hot environments.

Geotechnical considerations in underground mines - guideline - 709 Kb

Geotechnical considerations in underground mines - guideline: This guideline provides advice on the development of procedures relating to the application of sound geotechnical engineering practice in underground metalliferous mines.

Geotechnical considerations in open pit mines - guideline - 202 Kb

Geotechnical considerations in open pit mines - guideline: This guideline provides advice on the application of sound geotechnical engineering practice in open pit mines.

Formal consultative processes at the workplace - guideline - 761 Kb

Formal consultative processes at the workplace - guideline: This guideline provides explanatory information to employers and employees about safety and health representatives.

Foam fire suppression systems on mine vehicles - guideline - 244 Kb

Foam fire suppression systems on mine vehicles - guideline: This guideline has been issued to assist both equipment owners and suppliers in providing a fixed fire suppression system.

Fitness for mine rescue personnel - guideline - 1066 Kb

Fitness for mine rescue personnel - guideline: This guidelines assists in ensuring that mine rescue personnel are appropriately medically and physically fit, so reducing the risk of injury, or sudden incapacity during a mine rescue event or training.

Emergency preparedness for underground fires in metalliferrous mines - guideline - 324 Kb

Emergency preparedness for underground fires in metalliferrous mines - guideline: This guideline assists in identifying hazards, and developing both appropriate preventative strategies, and training and action plans to deal with any fire emergency.

Effective safety and health supervision in Western Australian mining operations - guideline - 1819 Kb

Effective safety and health supervision in Western Australian mining operations - guideline: This guideline highlights the importance of frontline supervision within workplace safety and health systems, and the role of management.

Diesel transport, storage and refuelling underground - guideline - 157 Kb

Diesel transport, storage and refuelling underground - guideline: This guideline assists in understanding safety requirements for diesel transport, storage and refuelling in underground mines.

Dealing with bullying at work - guideline - 608 Kb

Dealing with bullying at work - guideline: This document provides guidance on prevention and management of workplace bullying, including bullying behaviours, workplace culture, effects of bullying and what you can do about it.

Alcohol and other drugs at the workplace - guideline - 474 Kb

Alcohol and other drugs at the workplace - guideline: This document provides guidance on the management of safety and health hazards and risks that may arise in relation to workers being impaired by alcohol and/or other drug usage.

Development of an operating manual for tailings storage - guideline - 168 Kb

This document is intended to help companies improve the overall operational management of tailings storage facilities through the preparation of their own site specific operating manuals.