WorkSafe has launched a new set of educational tools designed to assist mine operators across Western Australia in managing workplace risks and contractor safety.
The materials aim to support compliance with the state’s Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022.
The resources include guides and self-assessment templates tailored to help operators implement and maintain Mine Safety Management Systems (MSMS) at all mining sites.
An MSMS provides a structured, risk-based approach to managing health and safety hazards, bringing all risk control processes under one unified framework.
Some workplace risks are considered more severe due to their potential to result in fatalities. These are classified under WA legislation as principal mining hazards.
When these types of hazards are present at a site, mine operators are required to incorporate specific management plans into their MSMS to address and mitigate these dangers.
To aid in this process, WorkSafe has released a guide and self-assessment tool focused specifically on principal mining hazard management plans (PMHMP). The guide outlines how to identify significant hazards, evaluate associated risks, and apply appropriate control strategies.
The self-assessment template helps operators document compliance, assess their current risk management practices, and identify areas for improvement.
These tools are intended for both new operators unfamiliar with risk management frameworks and experienced operators seeking to review and enhance their existing systems.
WorkSafe Mines Safety director Tony Robertson said that assisting WA mine operators to adhere to the state’s legislation was key to improving workplace health and safety practices in an inherently dangerous industry that employs thousands of local workers.
“Failing to plan is planning to fail, and that’s not an acceptable approach for the WA mining sector to adopt when the lives of so many of the State’s workers are on the line,” Robertson said.
“WorkSafe’s hope is that these easy-to-use materials provide WA mine operators with specialist advice to support voluntary compliance.”