Emergency management and response planning must be carried out using the risk management approach and with consultation from operational groups.
Duties in relation to emergency response
The mine operator, also known as a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) and site senior executives, also known as manager of a mine, have a duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not put at risk from work undertaken.
In addition, mine operators are required to prepare an emergency plan when establishing and implementing a mine safety management system for the operation of the mine.
Regulation 43, Division 5 and Schedule 22 of the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2020 (WHS Mines Regulations) covers legislative requirements for emergency preparation, including the preparation of an emergency plan.
Importance of emergency management
An emergency is an actual or imminent event that poses a risk to life and requires a coordinated response to preserve life and prevent injury. Given the inherently hazardous nature of mining operations, effective emergency management and response planning are essential to protecting the health and safety of workers.
Emergency management involves assessing both the likelihood and potential consequences of various emergency scenarios. A well-prepared mine will have a comprehensive and coordinated plan in place for all identified emergency situations.
Developing and implementing an effective emergency plan ensures that a mine is ready to respond swiftly and appropriately to an incident, minimising harm to workers. Emergency preparedness must be proactive - waiting until an incident occurs is too late.
Risk management approach
Risk management is the process of identifying risk, assessing risk, and taking steps to reduce risk to an acceptable level. The risk management approach determines the processes, techniques, tools, and team roles and responsibilities. This involves:
- identifying hazards – what foreseeable incidents may occur at the operation or during an emergency response to an incident?
- assessing risks – understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening, making the changes necessary to eliminate the hazard or minimise the risk of injury or harm.
- managing risks – so far as is reasonably practicable, eliminate the hazard and associated risk or, minimise the risk through the implementation of effective risk control measures based upon the hierarchy of control
- reviewing – review and as necessary revise control measures to ensure they work as planned. The mine operator of the mine must test the emergency plan for the mine.
The risk management plan describes how risk management will be structured and performed on the project. It seeks to address the following.
- What are the potential hazardous scenarios?
- What potential incidents may occur?
- What are the consequences or impacts of the incidents in terms of safety and health?
- How probable is this impact?
- What are the controls?
- What resources are required?
- Complete life cycle of plan.
Emergency response activities performed by trained and competent emergency response teams have a higher level of risk acceptability compared to the general workforce due to the unforeseen and unknown aspects of emergency scenarios, and the conditions and environment an emergency response team may be required to operate in. However, control measures still need to be identified and implemented to mitigate the risk of injury to as low as is practicable.
The mine operator should be able to demonstrate that hazards associated with mining operations and emergency response are controlled so far as is practicable, with the risk assessment and management process formally documented in the operation’s hazard and risk registers. The documentation of this information forms the basis of the site’s emergency plan and mine safety management system.
Resources and guidance
Note: These resources and guidance documents are currently under review. They may not reflect the most up-to-date legislation or regulatory requirements. Please consult the relevant official legislation or seek further advice to ensure compliance with current legislation.
- Emergency management for Western Australian mines: Code of practice (under review)
This code provides guidance on emergency management systems used in surface and underground mines and quarries. - Emergency preparedness for underground fires in metalliferous mines: Guidelines (under review)
This guideline assists in identifying hazards, and developing both appropriate preventative strategies, and training and action plans to deal with any fire emergency. - How to manage work health and safety risks: Code of practice
This code is intended to be read by PCBU. It provides practical guidance to PCBUs on how to manage risks to health and safety. - Emergency management: Audit guide and template (under review)
This audit is intended to assist sites assess the adequacy of their emergency planning, including how well the defined and documented practices have been implemented. - SafeWork Australia has guidance on Emergency plans and procedures that may be useful.
Related information
- National Emergency Management Agency provides the key online access point for emergency management information from the Australian Government.
- The Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy has prepared Guidance Note QGN15 – Emergency preparedness for small mines and quarries.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) have produced a Good practice in emergency preparedness and response.