NSW regulator releases updated guide to control airborne dust exposure at mines across coal and non-coal operations statewide

By Staff Writer on June 8, 2025
Safety, Occupational Health, Safety Training, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ESG, Water and Air Quality Monitoring, Regulatory Adherence, Legislative Updates, Audit and Inspection, Workforce, Training and Development, Health and Well-being Programs, Innovation, Technology Adoption, Process Innovation, Risk, Risk Assessment, Risk Mitigation, Mines & Projects, Case Studies
Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley, Illawarra Region, Central West Region
Industrial Minerals, Silica Sand, Asbestos (Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidolite), Energy Minerals, Coal (Thermal and Metallurgical)

The NSW Resources Regulator has released a revised Technical Reference Guide (TRG): Monitoring and Control of Worker Exposure to Airborne Dust, aimed at helping mine operators meet legal obligations and safeguard workers from inhalable hazards, including respirable crystalline silica.

Published in May 2025, the 61-page guide provides in-depth technical direction for mine operators to develop, implement and review effective dust monitoring and control strategies. It is intended for both coal and non-coal surface and underground operations but excludes Tier 3 quarries.

Legislative Backdrop and Purpose

The TRG aligns with the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 and the WHS (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2022, specifically addressing employer obligations under sections 41, 42, and 89 regarding dust exposure monitoring, control, and exceedance reporting. It supplements the broader Airborne Contaminants Principal Hazard Management Plan (PHMP) and connects with other mine safety documents, including ventilation and health control plans.

Key Features of the Guide

1. Competency and Sampling Requirements:
The guide details the qualifications and responsibilities of occupational hygienists and hygiene technicians, including the use of NATA-accredited methods and certified equipment. Sampling types covered include personal exposure, static, control verification, and real-time methods.

2. Monitoring Programs:
Baseline and periodic monitoring strategies must be tailored to Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs), which group workers by role, location, or activity. The TRG outlines required minimum sampling frequencies and protocols for interpreting results—especially when exceedances occur.

3. Trigger Action Response Plans (TARPs):
When control systems fail or airborne dust levels exceed limits, the TRG mandates that operators activate a TARP. These plans should include short-term mitigation strategies, like task rotation or reduced production, alongside longer-term engineering fixes.

4. Hierarchy of Controls and Engineering Measures:
The TRG strongly emphasises eliminating or reducing airborne dust through engineering rather than relying on PPE. Examples include local exhaust ventilation, cabin pressurisation, filtered HVAC systems, dust suppression sprays, and enclosed conveyors.

5. Surface and Underground Considerations:
The guide offers detailed strategies for various operations—from longwall mining and mobile crushing to stockpile management and laboratory handling—reflecting feedback from stakeholders calling for broader coverage beyond coal mining.

Stakeholder Feedback and Revisions

The TRG was revised after extensive industry consultation. Feedback led to:

  • Clarifying competencies and roles for dust monitoring.

  • Expanding monitoring methodology options, including international strategies.

  • Including practical examples of control validation checks and cabin filtration inspections.

  • Confirming that recommended dust controls are not mandatory unless stated with “must” under legislation.

Conclusion

This new TRG offers a practical, detailed, and legally grounded resource for mine operators to proactively manage one of the most critical health risks in mining—airborne dust. By combining statutory requirements with real-world application and risk management frameworks, the guide is expected to support improved outcomes across NSW’s mining sector.

resources.nsw.gov.au

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