Mine Safety Laws

Guidance material on Principal Mining Hazard Management Plans to assist you in preparing for the new laws to commence 1 Jan 2013. 

New mine safety laws for Tasmania came into effect on 28 February 2011.

On that date, the existing work health and safety laws (the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 1998) were changed to include sections that focus specifically on mine safety.

Key requirements of the new laws are summarised in the following Information Sheet

• Key Features of New Tasmanian Mine Safety Laws (IS116)

The Code of Practice - Applicable Standards for Underground Mining and Associated Operations was revoked on the 4 May 2011.

Effects of National Harmonisation and the new laws

More time for Tasmanian small mines to implement health and safety management systems and major hazard management plans

When Tasmania’s new mine safety laws commenced in 2011, some mines were given until 1 January 2012 to implement certain requirements, relating to health and safety management systems and major hazard management plans. This applied to existing mines where the total hours worked per month is less than 3,000 hours (referred to here as small mines).

The Director of Industry Safety has given notice, changing this date to 1 January 2013.

This means that where a small mine was in operation on or before 28 February 2011 (when new mine safety laws came into effect) the date for implementing a health and safety management system as required by section 32S of the Workplace Health and Safety Act is 1 January 2013. In addition, for such mines, the date for implementing major hazard management plans (for each major hazard identified through hazard identification and risk assessment required by the regulations) as required by Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 128AE(1)(a) is 1 January 2013.