On 1 January 2021 SafeWork SA began regulating mine manager competency under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA).
The transition follows the introduction of the Work Health and Safety (Mine Manager Variation) Regulations 2020 (SA) (Variation Regulations), introduced to align the regulation of mine manager competency with modern health and safety regulatory practices.
The Variation Regulations introduced both general and prescribed competency requirements for mine managers, replacing the previous government certification process.
These requirements are to be independently assessed by the mine operator to ensure that they are satisfied of their managers’ competence. Mine operators must also ensure that a competent mine manager is present in the mine at all times.
The general competency requirements, found in Regulation 615A (9)(a) of the Variation Regulations, include:
- Relevant training, qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills for mine management and supervision.
- Knowledge of the requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and the WHS Regulations.
- Hazard management capability.
The prescribed qualifications only apply to managers of either underground mines or quarries with 20 or more workers. Managers of mines or quarries with less than 20 workers are only required to satisfy the general requirements.
Although the prescribed requirements for quarries and underground mines slightly differ, they both include:
- A degree in mining engineering;
- 3 years of practical work experience;
- Operational experience; and
- Supervisory experience.
SafeWork SA has asserted that a mine manager with an existing underground mine manager certificate may be deemed by a mine operator to be competent under the Variation Regulations.
However, mine operators must be satisfied of managers’ ongoing competence. It is SafeWork’s expectation that mine operators will organise and ensure mine managers continuous professional development.
AREEA strongly recommends members with South Australian operations review the changes, which can be found here. For advice or assistance, contact a specialist AREEA workplace consultant.
