Mining and exploration safety guides

These guides provide more information on the requirements of legislation and detail good practice. 

Work health and safety guides

• Contractors engaged in mining operations
  This guide explains the health and safety obligations for mine operators and contractors at mines under the work health and safety legislation, and how to fulfill these obligations.
• Principal mining hazard management plans
  This guide was developed to assist mine operators to understand the principal mining hazard risk management process and requirements, and to assist them in documenting a principal mining hazard management plan.

Guides developed based on previous mines safety and inspection legislation 

• Dealing with bullying at work
  This document provides guidance on prevention and management of workplace bullying, including bullying behaviours, workplace culture, effects of bullying and what you can do about it.
• Departmental requirements for the management and closure of tailings storage facilities (TSFs)
  This guide has been provided to assist tailings storage facilities (TSFs) designers and operators with preparing the required reports for managing a TSF.
• Development of an operating manual for tailings storage
  This guideline is intended to help companies improve the overall operational management of tailings storage facilities through the preparation of their own site-specific operating manuals.
• Effective safety and health supervision in Western Australian mining operations
  This guideline highlights the importance of frontline supervision within workplace safety and health systems, and the role of management.
• Emergency preparedness for underground fires in metalliferous mines
  This guideline assists in identifying hazards, and developing both appropriate preventative strategies, and training and action plans to deal with any fire emergency.
• Geotechnical considerations in open pit mines
  This guideline provides advice on the application of sound geotechnical engineering practice in open pit mines.
• Geotechnical considerations in underground mines
  This guideline provides advice on the development of procedures relating to the application of sound geotechnical engineering practice in underground metalliferous mines.
• Ground control management in Western Australian mining operations
  This guideline provides more detail about the control measures that can be taken to eliminate or mitigate hazards associated with unplanned ground movement.
• Isolation of hazardous energies associated with plant in Western Australian mining operations
  This guideline will assist mining operations to develop safe systems of work for fixed and mobile plant. It is structured to support a risk management approach to the isolation of hazardous energies.
• Management of diesel emissions in Western Australian mining operations
  This guideline should be used by anyone planning or conducting underground mining where diesel engines are likely or are being used, particularly those persons responsible for the occupational health of personnel.
• Management of fibrous minerals in Western Australian mining operations
  This guideline should be used by anyone planning or conducting exploration or mining in areas where fibrous minerals are likely or have been encountered.
• Management of noise in Western Australian mining operations
  This guideline describes how noise exposure is measured, and the requirements for a written noise report and noise control plan.
• Managing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM)
  These guides should be used by anyone engaged in mining operations in Western Australia that involve or have the potential to involve naturally occurring radioactive material. This includes exploration, mining and mineral processing.
• Open pit mining through underground workings
  This guideline offers advice on the issues that should be addressed when open pit mines are excavated through abandoned underground workings, or in close proximity to current underground mine workings.
• Preparing a health and hygiene management plan
  This guide will assist mining operations to develop a health and hygiene management plan. Note: This document is currently under review.
• Prevention of fires in underground mines
  This guideline should be used by anyone planning or conducting underground mining, particularly those persons responsible for the occupational health of workers.
• Purchase, operation and maintenance of underground diesel engined mining equipment
  This guideline assists in the purchase, operation and maintenance of diesel engine mining equipment for underground use in metalliferous mines in WA.
• Refuge chambers in underground mines
  This guideline provides information on management and use of refuge chambers designed to protect people from exposure to irrespirable atmospheres underground during an emergency.
• Safety bund walls around abandoned open pit mines
  This guideline describes the geotechnical factors with greatest influence on the long-term stability of open pit slopes and includes simple design criteria for the location and construction of safety bund walls.
• Tyre safety for earth-moving machinery on Western Australia mining operations
  This guideline describes the common hazards when working with tyres, rims, wheels and assemblies on mining equipment.
• Underground barring down and scaling
  This guideline has been issued to assist in the development of procedures relating to scaling of loose or potentially unstable rock in underground metalliferous mines.
• Underground ventilation (metalliferrous mines)
  This guideline is issued to assist in the understanding of underground ventilation in metalliferous mines and provide guidance on essential design aspects and operating practice.
• Vertical opening safety practice in underground mines
  This guideline emphasises the nature of some of the more obvious hazards associated with vertical openings and recommends a system of procedures to avoid or minimise risks.
• Working at height in underground mines
  This guideline should be used by anyone planning, supervising or conducting work at height in underground mines.

Archived guidelines

Email safetycomms@lgirs.wa.gov.au if you would like a copy of the following guidelines. 

• Railway vehicle drivers (loco drivers) medical fitness
  This guideline provides guidance on medical fitness to take charge of and drive on a mine railway.
• Diesel transport, storage and refuelling underground
  This guideline assists in understanding safety requirements for diesel transport, storage and refuelling in underground mines.
• Foam fire suppression systems on mine vehicles
  This guideline has been issued to assist both equipment owners and suppliers in providing a fixed fire suppression system.
• Management and prevention of heat stress
  This guideline offers a practical approach for mine managers and supervisors to assist with managing employees working in hot environments.
• Safety management of underground combustible sulphide dust
  This guideline assists in identifying hazards and developing preventative strategies and training action plans to deal with safe management of underground combustible sulphide dust.
• Personnel access to heavy mining machinery
  This guideline assists in understanding the requirements to be considered for safe personnel access to heavy mining machinery.