Background
Who can be appointed as an underground manager?
An underground manager for a mine has the responsibility to control and supervise the underground mining operations on a daily basis.
Where a mine employs 25 or more persons underground, the underground manager:
- may be the registered manager for the mine
and
- must be the holder of a first class mine manager’s certificate of competency or an equivalent acceptable certificate.
Where mine employs fewer than 25 persons underground, the underground manager:
- may be the registered manager for the mine
and must hold
- an underground supervisor’s certificate of competency, or an equivalent acceptable certificate
or
- if the State Mining Engineer so directs, a first class mine manager’s certificate of competency, or an equivalent acceptable certificate.
Certificates of competency
Small syndicates
A small syndicate consisting of self-employed persons can apply for an agreement to operate an underground operation without appointing an underground manager. The small syndicate must apply in writing to the district inspector for the site operation using the approved form.
Who is responsible for the notification?
Where there is a mine employing any person underground, the principal employer or registered manager (if authorised to do so by the principal employer) must inform the district inspector of the appointment of an underground manager.
Refer to s. 35 of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994.
Important note: The principal employer or registered manager must inform the district inspector within 24 hours through the Department's Safety Regulation System (SRS) of every appointment of an alternate registered manager.
A log of the periods of duty and a copy of the signed letter of appointment must be kept in the mine record book.
Notification of appointments must be submitted online using the Notifications sub-system in the Safety Regulation System (SRS)
The principal employer or registered manager can notify the department of a statutory appointment, or a person acting on their behalf.
A Company Administrator (CA) or a Company Representative can enter information into SRS. The CA can assign the role of Company Representative to any person required to notify appointments.
The completed and signed appointment letter needs to be attached to the notification of appointment in SRS.
Related information
Below are the related documents available to download.
Contact
For enquiries please contact an inspector of mines
Phone: 1800SAFEMINE (1800 7233 64)
Email: MinesSafety@dmirs.wa.gov.au