WorkSafe WA releases new tools to help mines better manage hazards and contractors

Western Australia’s mine operators have been handed a new suite of tools to help them comply with state workplace health and safety laws, following the release of updated guidance materials by WorkSafe WA.

The resources - comprising guides and self-assessment tools - aim to support mine operators in managing high-risk hazards and contractor arrangements as required under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022.

At the core of these obligations is the requirement for mine operators to implement a mine safety management system (MSMS) across all operations, including exploration sites. The MSMS provides a framework for applying a systematic, risk-based approach to workplace health and safety and must incorporate plans for principal mining hazards—defined as risks with the potential to cause multiple deaths in a single incident or a series of recurring incidents.

“Failing to plan is planning to fail, and that’s not an acceptable approach for the WA mining sector to adopt when the lives of so many of the State’s workers are on the line,” said Tony Robertson, Director of WorkSafe Mines Safety.

Designed to support both less-experienced mine operators and those looking to review or improve existing risk management systems, the newly released materials include:

• A Principal Mining Hazard Management Plan (PMHMP) guide that outlines how to identify high-risk hazards, select appropriate risk controls, and incorporate them into the MSMS.

• A self-assessment tool to assist sites in evaluating compliance and developing corrective action plans.

• An updated MSMS self-assessment checklist.

• A new contractor management guide, which outlines shared duties and cooperation mechanisms between mine operators and contracted parties.

Robertson said the aim of the new materials is to improve safety performance through education and voluntary compliance, noting that WorkSafe’s approach includes specialist advice as well as enforcement when necessary.

“WorkSafe’s role is to drive positive workplace health and safety change in WA through education, specialist advice and, when necessary, enforcement,” he said. “WorkSafe’s hope is these easy-to-use materials provide WA mine operators with specialist advice to support voluntary compliance.”

The new resources were officially launched at WorkSafe’s site senior executive forum on 23 July, attended by leaders from across WA’s mining industry. The forum featured keynote addresses from Queensland-based critical risk management expert Christian Young and Dwaine Jones, Deputy Chief Inspector at the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

With mining continuing to be one of Western Australia’s most hazardous sectors, the release of these tools comes as part of a broader push by regulators to ensure compliance with modern safety standards and to prevent serious or fatal incidents.

The new materials are available through the WorkSafe WA website and are expected to become reference documents across industry safety planning activities in the months ahead.