Work Health and Safety

Regulations 2012 (SA)

A guide to Chapter 10 Mines

Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1 Safety management systems....................................................................................... 2
Chapter 2 Health and safety policy ............................................................................................... 3
Chapter 3 Managing risks ............................................................................................................. 4
Chapter 4 Principal mining hazards .............................................................................................. 5
Chapter 5 Management structure ................................................................................................. 7
Chapter 6 Consultation ................................................................................................................. 8
Chapter 7 Management of contractors ......................................................................................... 9
Chapter 8 Emergency plan ......................................................................................................... 10
Chapter 9 Withdrawal from mine to place of safety .................................................................... 11
Chapter 10 Provision of information, training and instruction ..................................................... 12
Chapter 11 Induction .................................................................................................................. 13
Chapter 12 Supervision .............................................................................................................. 14
Chapter 13 Health monitoring ..................................................................................................... 15
Chapter 14 Workers safety role ................................................................................................. 16
Chapter 15 Incident notification .................................................................................................. 17
Chapter 16 Record keeping ........................................................................................................ 19
Chapter 17 Effectiveness of safety management systems ......................................................... 20
Chapter 18 Other important Mines Regulations to note ............................................................. 21

Disclaimer | While care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information in this publication, at the time of reading it may not be sufficiently accurate,
current or complete to suit your individual needs. Reliance on the information in this publication is at your own risk. SafeWork SA accepts no liability for any loss resulting from
your reliance on it. To best meet your work health and safety obligations refer to current Acts, Regulations and Codes of Practice.

Introduction
The purpose of this document is to assist the mine operator of a mine to comply with Chapter 10 of
the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA) (WHS Regulations).
Chapter 10 of the WHS Regulations contains specific regulations applicable to mines and includes
definitions of terms such as mine, mining operations, mine operator and mine holder (see
Regulations 609-614).
A key requirement of the Mines Regulations is the development of a Safety Management System
(SMS) for a mine.
This guide focuses on the key elements that are required to be set out as part of the mines SMS.

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Chapter 1 Safety management systems

The establishment and implementation of an SMS is a key work health and safety requirement for
mines.
The SMS should be documented, easily understood, accessible to workers and form part of any
overall management system that is in place at the mine. The SMS will be the mine operators
primary means of ensuring that the health and safety of workers and other persons is not put at risk
from the mine or work carried out as part of the mining operations. It should include an appropriate
level of detail on how risks to health and safety will be managed having regard to the nature and
complexity of the mining operations and the risks associated with those operations.
So for example a small quarry or opal mine will not be required to document its mining operations to
the same level as a large, complex mining operation such as Olympic Dam.
It is recommended that you familiarise yourself with Regulations 621-625 of the WHS Regulations
for the exact details of the SMS requirements. However a summary is provided below.
Purpose of the SMS
The purpose of the SMS is to set out in a structured and organised way the particular aspects of the
mines operations that influence the safety outcome of workers and other people at the mine. The
SMS will document:

a safety policy which outlines the mine operators intentions in relation to how he or she will
manage safety outcomes
safe work procedures which describe how risks arising from particular hazards will be
controlled (this section will include the Principal Mining Hazard Plans where they are
present for more information see Chapter 4)
the management structure of the mine including how resources will be allocated to safety
issues (this ensures that the people who have particular responsibilities for safety are clearly
identified in small mining operations where there are only one or two workers, this will be a
very simple step)
arrangements for consultation with workers and co-ordinating the activities of others who may
be at the mine, including contractors
emergency procedures
arrangements for providing information and training and appropriate inductions for workers
procedural issues such as health monitoring, reporting of incidents, record keeping and
maintenance of the safety management system.

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Chapter 2 Health and safety policy

The mine operator must develop a health and safety policy in consultation with workers and must
communicate the policy to all workers and Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs)
at the mine so they understand what is expected of them in relation to their work health and safety
duties and the mine operators duties. This may involve displaying copies of the policy and providing
it during inductions to ensure that workers understand its contents.
An example of a simple health and safety policy for small business operations is available on the
SafeWork SA website (www.safework.sa.gov.au).
As part of the SMS, the policy must be reviewed at least once every three years, and as necessary,
to ensure it stays up to date, relevant and effective.
(622)(1)(a) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the mine
operator's health and safety policy, including broad aims in relation to the safe operation of the
mine.

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Chapter 3 Managing risks

The primary purpose of the WHS Regulations and Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws generally is
to set out the minimum requirements to be applied at workplaces to ensure that people are not
injured because of the work they do or by the work activities of a business or undertaking. With this
in mind a key feature of modern safety laws is risk management.
Mine operators need to make sure that those things that could cause harm or that present a risk to
the health or safety of people are controlled. The Mines Regulations require the mine operator to
document in the SMS the arrangements for managing risks.
(622)(1)(b) ) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the
arrangements for managing risks in accordance with regulation 617
Regulation 617 outlines the steps that need to be taken in managing risks to health and safety. The
risk management process is framed around the key principles of:

identifying hazards that may present a risk to workers and others

assessing the consequences and likelihood of those risks
controlling those risks.

These principles are well documented and there is an abundance of information about how a risk
management process may be undertaken and applied. The WHS Regulations in relation to the risk
management process are supported by a Code of Practice How to Manage Health and Safety
Risks. This Code provides practical guidance on how to undertake the principles of hazard
identification, risk assessment and risk control as intended by the WHS Regulations.
Regulation 617 Managing risks to health and safety
1) A person conducting a business or undertaking at a mine must manage risks to health and
safety associated with mining operations at the mine, in accordance with Chapter 3, Part 1.
Note WHS Act sections 19, 20 and 21, as applicable (see regulation 9).
2) A person conducting a business or undertaking at a mine must ensure that a risk
assessment is conducted by a competent person for the purposes of subregulation (1)
3) In conducting a risk assessment, the person must have regard to:
(a) the nature of the hazard; and
(b) the likelihood of the hazard affecting the health or safety of a person; and
(c) the severity of the potential health and safety consequences.
In managing risks at a mine, mine operators are required to particularly address worker fatigue and
the risks associated with the consumption of alcohol and drugs (see Regulations 640 and 641).

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Chapter 4 Principal mining hazards

A major part of the documented SMS for a mine will be the principal mining hazard management
plans. While the general risk management process is intended to provide a mechanism for
addressing safety issues across the mine, it is widely recognised that there are some hazards on a
mine site which can present very significant risks to workers and others. These are collectively
referred to as principal mining hazards.
(622)(1)(c) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the systems,
procedures, plans and other control measures that will be used to control risks to health and
safety associated with mining operations at the mine, including:

the principal mining hazard management plans for the mine prepared under
Division 2; and

in the case of an underground mine the ventilation control plan and ventilation
plan prepared for the mine under Division 4, Subdivision 2.
Principal mining hazards can, if not adequately controlled, result in multiple fatalities from a single
event or may be the source of frequent and serious injuries. Regrettably, incidents involving principal
mining hazards can have catastrophic outcomes. The Pike River Mine incident in New Zealand
where 29 workers lost their lives is an example. For this reason, a mine operator must identify any
hazard that could be classed as a principal mining hazard.
The mine operator must then prepare and document a plan which describes how the various risks
arising from the hazard will be controlled. Given the higher risk factor associated with these hazards
a higher level of planning and control is required. These plans need to be more detailed than other
general risk management documentation and must indicate:

the nature of the principal mining hazard

how it relates to other hazards at the mine
the analysis methods used in identifying the principal mining hazard
a record of the risk assessment conducted in relation to the principal mining hazard
the investigation and analysis methods used in determining the control measures to be
implemented
a description of all control measures to be implemented to manage risks to health and safety
associated with the principal mining hazards
a description of the arrangements in place for providing to workers the information, training
and instruction required in relation to the principal mining hazard
any design principles, engineering standards and technical standards relied on for control
measures for the principal mining hazards
the reasons for adopting or rejecting the control measures considered.

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The WHS Regulations identify a number of known principal mining hazards and these are listed at
Regulation 612 as:

ground or strata failure

inundation or inrush of any substance
mine shafts and winding operations
roads or other vehicle operating areas
air quality or dust or other airborne contaminants
fire or explosion
gas outbursts
spontaneous combustion.

Principal mining hazard management plans

If any of these hazards are present at a mine site and have the potential to cause multiple deaths or
to cause recurring incidents, a principal mining hazard management plan must be prepared for each
hazard.
Schedule 19 of the WHS Regulations lists additional matters that need to be considered in relation
to the examples at Regulation 612 and these will also form part of the plan. In preparing a principal
mining hazard management plan the mine operator must address these additional matters so it is
important to be familiar with Schedule 19.
Smaller mining operations will require less detailed plans but nonetheless need to ensure that,
where they have identified a principal mining hazard, control measures are in place. It is important to
remember that the identification of the hazard is just the start of the process. The next steps are
assessing the consequences and controlling the risks. The basic concepts of risk management
identified in the Code of Practice How to Manage Health and Safety Risks will also be relevant to
the management of principal mining hazards.
For micro operations, such as gemstone mining or semi-precious stone mining, where there are
limited numbers of workers, it is unlikely that the principal mining hazards envisaged by the
WHS Regulations will be present. In these situations the SMS will simply reflect that the matters
listed at Regulations 612 do not apply at that particular mining operation.

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Chapter 5 Management structure

The WHS legislation sets out clear roles and responsibilities for workers and for those who have a
key role in managing businesses and undertakings such as mining operations.
For example those who participate in making decisions about how businesses operate and where
the resources of the business are targeted meet the definition of officer under the WHS laws and
have a duty to exercise due diligence in ensuring that the business meets its work health and safety
obligations. The SMS for the mine encourages mining operations to clearly set out where the
responsibility for decision making in the context of WHS laws lies.
(622)(1)(d) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the management
structure for the management of work health and safety at the mine, including:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

arrangements for filling temporary and permanent vacancies; and

requirements relating to acting positions in the structure; and
the competency requirements for positions in the structure.

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Chapter 6 Consultation
The WHS laws contain a number of general consultation requirements which are relevant to mine
operators in the context of developing, implementing and reviewing their SMS. There are also
specific consultation requirements in relation to identifying principal mining hazards.
As well as consulting about the development of an SMS and principal mining hazard management
plans, workers should also be consulted on:

preparing, testing and reviewing the emergency plan for the mine
developing and implementing strategies to protect persons at the mine from any risk involving
alcohol, drugs or worker fatigue
implementing the workers safety role.

The workers safety role will be to participate in risk assessments to identify any principal mining
hazard and assist in selecting controls for them.
Mine operators must also consult with other duty holders who may be operating at the mines
including contractors (for more information see Chapter 7).
The Code of Practice Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination also
provides useful practical guidance about how to consult effectively for the purposes of work health
and safety requirements.
(622)(1)(e) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the
arrangements in place, between any persons conducting a business or undertaking at the mine,
for consultation, co-operation and the co-ordination of activities in relation to compliance with
their duties under the Act.

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Chapter 7 Management of contractors

Like all workplaces, the mine operator responsible for mining operations must ensure that any
contractors, working or likely to work at the mine have suitable measures in place to control risks
to health and safety.
Contractors are themselves PCBUs and have a duty to ensure the safety of workers and others who
may be affected by their work. In managing the activities of contractors the mine operator should
require the contractor to develop an SMS that is relevant to the contractors work. The mine operator
needs to be satisfied that the contractors control plans are appropriate and sufficiently consistent
with the broader management system of the mine and can be integrated into that system. This being
the case the contractors management plans can be included into and be a part of the mines SMS.
The mine operator should monitor the contractors work to ensure it complies with their SMS through
observation and consultation, including ensuring that contractors equipment is in safe working
order.
(622)(1)(f) The safety management system document for a mine must set out if a contractor is
working or likely to work at the mine the control measures that will be used to control risks to
health and safety associated with the contractor's work at the mine, including:
(i)
(ii)

(iii)

how the contractors work management system will be integrated with the safety
management system for the mine; and
the process for assessing health and safety policies and procedures (including
competency requirements) of the contractor and integrating them into the safety
management system; and
the arrangements for monitoring and evaluating compliance by the contractor with the
health and safety requirement of the safety management system.

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Chapter 8 Emergency plan

The mine operator must prepare an emergency plan for the mine.
In addition to matters required by Regulation 43(1) (the general requirement for a workplace to have
an emergency plan), the mines emergency plan must address all matters relating to responses to
emergencies including:

establishing systems to enable all persons at the mine to be promptly located

provision of adequate rescue equipment
training of an adequate number of persons to use the rescue equipment and to be available to
respond in the event of an emergency at the mine
adequate patient transport from the mine.

Additional matters to be included in the emergency plan are contained at Schedule 22 of the
Regulations.
The detail and complexity of the emergency plan will depend on the number of workers, and the size
and complexity of the mining operation.
In developing the emergency plan, the mine operator must consult with the local primary emergency
service, the local authority if there are principal mining hazards that may impact on the local area in
the event of an emergency, and any other relevant emergency services. The emergency plan must
be tested and reviewed regularly (see Regulations 664-670).
Underground mines have specific requirements that must be met in their emergency plan such as
emergency exits, safe escape and refuge, signage, self-rescuers and personal protective equipment
in emergencies (see Regulations 671-675).
(622)(1)(g) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the emergency
procedures and all other matters in the emergency plan for the mine prepared under Division 5.

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Chapter 9 Withdrawal from mine to place of safety

There will be situations that arise where it will be necessary to withdraw workers and others from the
mine as a precautionary measure. Withdrawal is different from emergency evacuations in that an
emergency has not occurred but a risk(s) in the mine has increased (e.g. through fumes building up
underground, initial indications of possible dangerous ground conditions, dust build-up etc). These
conditions must be identified and documented by the mine operator as triggers to prompt
withdrawal of persons from the mine as a precaution.
The table below sets out the most common withdrawal conditions and recommends some specific
items to cover off in developing procedures to address the conditions.
Conditions

Procedure (initial action)

Excess fumes in the mine

Withdraw to above ground and assess cause and

situation to safely establish controls

Initial signs of possible ground

movement

Withdraw to safe place in mine and assess the

situation

Potential downpour of rain or storm

Withdraw to surface before area or equipment

becomes hazardous and assess before returning
underground

When excavating and finding a sudden

change e.g. unusually damp area at the
face

Withdraw and assess whether there is water

build-up behind the face being excavated

(621)(1)(h) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the procedures
and conditions under which persons at the mine or a part of the mine are to be withdrawn to a
place of safety and to remain withdrawn as a precautionary measure where a risk to health and
safety warrants that withdrawal.

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Chapter 10 Provision of information, training and instruction

The WHS laws require that a PCBU (including mine operators) must ensure that a worker is
provided with information, training and instruction that is suitable and adequate having regard to the
work carried out by the worker, the nature of the risks associated with the work and the control
measures implemented (see Regulation 39).
In addition the mine operator must ensure that each worker at the mine is provided with suitable and
adequate information, training and instruction in relation to:

the implementation of risk control measures in relation to fatigue, the consumption of alcohol
and the use of drugs
the content and implementation of the SMS for the mine
the emergency plan for the mine
the safety role for workers (see Chapter 4 for more information on the safety role for workers).

The mine operator must also ensure that:

workers are given a summary of the SMS and are informed that they can see the full plan
upon request
the principal mining hazard management plans are readily accessible to workers who are or
may be exposed to the risks to which the plan relates
a ventilation control plan is readily accessible to all workers at the mine
the emergency plan for the mine is readily accessible to all workers at the mine
so far as is reasonably practicable, each worker at the mine is made aware of any revision to
the SMS that is relevant to work being carried out by the worker.

Visitors to the mine should also be provided with information about any risks they may be exposed
to while visiting the mine, instructed in health and safety precautions they should take at the mine
and instructed in how to respond if there is an emergency while they are at the site.
Information, training and instruction should be regularly reviewed to ensure they remain relevant and
effective and the mine operator must keep a record of any training provided to a worker.
(622)(1)(i) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the arrangements
for the provision of information, training and instruction required under regulation 39.

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Chapter 11 Induction
Inducting new workers at a mine site is an important first step in ensuring that everyone at the mine
understands how safety will work in practice. With this in mind the induction process needs to be
comprehensive and the procedure should cover key areas such as:

identifying key mining personnel including management and their responsibilities

safety duties of the mine operator and workers
the physical layout of the mine including important facilities such as first aid rooms
prohibited actions
safety reporting.

The SMS provides an outline of the overall safety plan for the mine.
All new workers should be informed of the details of the SMS, the emergency plan and any principal
mining hazard management plans that are relevant to the workers particular role and activities. See
Chapter 10 for more information on what should be included in an induction.
Workers should also be informed about how they can report risks or incidents, who their Health
and Safety Representative is (if relevant to the worksite), location of first aid facilities etc.
(621)(1)(j) the safety management system document for a mine must set out the induction
procedures for workers at the mine.

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Chapter 12 Supervision
Like all workplaces, workers in a mining operation need to be provided with a level of supervision
that is appropriate to their experience and capability. New and less experienced workers must be
provided with a closer level of supervision than workers who are more familiar with the task.
The requirement to set out the supervision structure is linked to the requirement to set out clearly
the management structure as part of the SMS (see Chapter 5).
(621)(1)(k) The safety management system document for the mine must set out the
arrangements in place for the supervision needed to protect workers and other persons
at the mine from risks to their health and safety from work carried out at the mine.

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Chapter 13 Health monitoring

Because of the specific risks associated with mining, there will be situations where health monitoring
of workers is required.
If there is no significant risk to a worker because of exposure to a hazard, then health monitoring is
not required. If, for example, the mining operator knows that silicas naturally occurring deposits of
mineral fibres or other known carcinogens are present in the soil, then health monitoring of workers
must be conducted.
If the mine is operated by a sole mine operator with no workers then there is no requirement for
health monitoring. However, the mine operator retains a duty to prevent exposure to themselves and
others in close proximity to airborne dusts that are arising because of the mining activities.
(621)(1)(l) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the arrangements
in place for health monitoring under Part 3.
Part 3
675F Health monitoring of worker
(1)

(2)

The mine operator of a mine must ensure that health monitoring is provided to a worker
at a mine engaged to carry out work at a mine if:
a.
there is a significant risk of an adverse effect on the worker's health because of
the worker's exposure to a hazard associated with mining; and
b.
valid techniques are available to detect that effect on the worker's health.
The health monitoring must be carried out:
a.
in accordance with this Part; and;
b.
at intervals determined by a registered medical practitioner with experience in
health monitoring.

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Chapter 14 Workers safety role

The mine operator must implement a safety role for workers that enables them to contribute to the
identification of principal mining hazards that are relevant to the work they do, the consideration of
control measures for risks associated with the principal mining hazards and the conduct of reviews
of principal mining hazard management plans. See Chapter 6 for more information on consultation.
(621)(1)(m) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the safety role
for workers developed under Part 4.

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Chapter 15 Incident notification

Section 38 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) (WHS Act) requires a PCBU (including a
mine operator) to notify SafeWork SA of a notifiable incident as soon as is reasonably practicable.
A notifiable incident includes:

the death of a person

a serious injury or illness of a person
a dangerous incident.

Section 36 of the WHS Act defines a serious illness or injury as an injury or illness requiring the
person to have:

immediate treatment as an in-patient in a hospital

immediate treatment for the amputation of any part of his or her body
immediate treatment for a serious head injury
immediate treatment for a serious eye injury
immediate treatment for a serious burn
immediate treatment for the separation of his or her skin from an underlying tissue (such as
degloving or scalping)
immediate treatment for a spinal injury
immediate treatment for the loss of a bodily function
immediate treatment for serious lacerations
medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure to a substance.

Section 37 of the WHS Act defines a dangerous incident as an incident in relation to a workplace
that exposes a worker or any other person to a serious risk to a persons health or safety emanating
from an immediate or imminent exposure to:

an uncontrolled escape, spillage or leakage of a substance

an uncontrolled implosion, explosion or fire
an uncontrolled escape of gas or steam
an uncontrolled escape of a pressurised substance
electric shock
the fall or release from a height of any plant, substance or thing
the collapse, overturning, failure or malfunction or, or damage to, any plant that is required to
be authorised for use in accordance with the regulations
the collapse or partial collapse of a structure
the collapse or failure of an excavation or of any shoring supporting an excavation
the inrush of water, mud or gas in workings, in an underground excavation or tunnel
the interruption of the main system of ventilation in an underground excavation or tunnel.

In addition to these general notification requirements, a mine operator is also required to notify
SafeWork SA of any incident which meets the definition of dangerous incident even in situations
where a person has not been exposed but could have been (see Regulation 675V).

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A mine operator must also notify SafeWork SA of any incident that results in an injury to a person
that requires:

suturing of a wound
the treatment of fractures
the treatment of bruises by drainage of blood
the treatment of second and third degree burns.

The details that must be provided to SafeWork SA in relation to Regulation 675V incidents are
contained at Schedule 23 of the Regulations.
The site of the notifiable incident should be left undisturbed (so far as is reasonably practicable) until
an inspector arrives at the site or until the inspector directs.
From 1 January 2015, a mine operator will be required to provide a quarterly work health and safety
report to SafeWork SA. The content of the report is set out at Schedule 24 of the Regulations.
(622)(1)(n) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the procedures
for notifiable incident response and investigation at the mine.

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Chapter 16 Record keeping

As well as the general record keeping requirements contained in the WHS legislation, there are
specific requirements for mine operators.
(622)(1)(o) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the procedures
for records management for the mine to ensure compliance with the Act.
(622)(1)(p) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the
arrangements in place for all other monitoring and assessment and regular inspection of the
working environment of the mine to be carried out for the purposes of the Act.

Records of reviews of control measures in response to a notifiable incident must be kept (see
Regulations 619-620).
All mine operators must keep records of training provided to workers and keep those records for
as long as the worker remains engaged at the mine (see Chapter 10 regarding provision of training
and instruction). They must also keep records of any health monitoring of workers (see Regulation
675P).
The mine operator must also keep a mine record which includes:

a record of any provisional improvement notices issued

a record of every incident notified to SafeWork SA
a summary of all records kept under Regulations 619-620
records of all communications between incoming and outgoing shifts as required by
Regulation 630.

This mine record must be kept for seven years from the date the record was first made. It must be
kept at the mine and be available for inspection either by a SafeWork SA inspector or a worker upon
request.
All underground mine operators must keep records of air monitoring (see Regulation 651).

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Chapter 17 Effectiveness of safety management systems

Once the SMS has been developed, it is important that it be implemented effectively and be
continuously reviewed and improved as required. How it will be implemented, reviewed and evolve
is also a key part of the SMS document.
Again, smaller mines will be able to adopt a much simpler approach to this part of the document
than large mining operations.
(622)(1)(q) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the performance
management system under Regulation 623.
(622)(1)(r) The safety management system document for a mine must set out the resources
that will be applied for the effective implementation and use of the safety management system.

623 Performance standards and audit

The safety management system for a mine must include the following:
(a) performance standards for measuring the effectiveness of all aspects of the safety
management system that:
(i)
are sufficiently detailed to show how the mine operator will ensure the
effectiveness of the safety management system; and
(ii)
include steps to be taken to continually improve the safety management system;
and
(b) the way in which the performance standards are to be met; and
(c) a system for auditing the effectiveness of the safety management system for the mine
against the performance standards, including the methods, frequency and results of the
audit process.

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Chapter 18 Other important Mines Regulations to note

Given the special nature of mining operations and the risks presented to the safety of workers, the
mine operator must ensure that certain specified control measures are in place. The following
control measures have evolved over a long period of time reflecting safety concerns that are well
documented.
Operational controls

communication between outgoing and incoming shifts (see Regulation 630)

movement of mobile plant (see Regulation 631)
prohibited use of certain items or substances (see Regulation 632 and Schedule 20)
safe closure, suspension or abandonment of mines (see Regulation 633)
minimum age of workers (see Regulation 634)
air quality and monitoring (see Regulations 635-639)

Controls relevant to underground mines

inrush hazards (see Regulation 642)

connecting workings (see Regulation 643)
winding systems (see Regulation 644)
operation of shaft conveyances (see Regulation 645)
dust explosion (see Regulation 646)
air quality and monitoring (in addition to the general requirements see also
Regulations 647-656)
monitoring and testing of ventilation systems and development of ventilation plan
(see Regulations 653-656)

Mine survey plans

The mine operator of a mine must ensure that a detailed survey plan of the mine is prepared by a
competent person (Regulation 675S). If present at the mine, the plan must show the following:

the workings of the mine, including disused workings and bore holes
the location of electrical installations
the location of telephones and other fixed plant associated with the radio and
telecommunications systems
water dams and tailings dams
natural features surrounding the mine
places for the storage of hydrocarbons or explosives
points of entry and exit, including emergency exits
refuges (in underground mines)
reference to the Geocentric Datum of Australia and the Australian Height Datum (this is not
required for opal mining).

The plan must be reviewed at least once every 12 months or at other times if the plan no longer
accurately reflects the mine. It must be available for inspection by SafeWork SA inspectors or on
request by workers.

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 Government of South Australia, 2014

0880 - JANUARY 2014