IMPROVING HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD MANAGEMENT IN THE UNDERGROUND MINING INDUSTRY
FOREWORD
Underground mining is an important part of New Zealand's economy and history. However, working in an underground coal or metalliferous mine can be hazardous, with the potential for catastrophic incidents. It is vital that good health and safety practices are in place - because people's lives depend on them.
I asked the Department of Labour to undertake a review of the current Health and Safety in Employment regulatory framework as it relates to underground mining and to assess whether it is effective in managing the hazards faced in the underground mining environment.
The Department of Labour was well placed to undertake this work, as their mission is to provide best practice information and guidance to assist New Zealand businesses with health and safety issues in the workplace. In addition, the Department of Labour also inspects workplaces to check on safety and health arrangements, investigates incidents at work and makes sure employers and employees comply with health and safety legislation.
My concern was whether the regulatory framework enabled mining businesses to manage hazards to their full potential. The review found that, while the fundamentals of the regulations are sound, there is an opportunity to improve the current framework and supporting guidance to enable businesses to better manage the hazards they face.
This discussion document sets out the concerns that have emerged from this review. It introduces options that are aimed at improving the way hazards are identified and managed. It has been produced to give interested parties the opportunity to express their ideas and opinions on the options.
This document is not aimed at finding solutions that will create an unfair advantage to larger operators; it is about finding solutions that will improve health and safety for all mines.
I strongly encourage employers, unions, industry groups and individuals to consider this discussion document and contribute to the development of options to improve the ways hazards are identified and managed in underground mines. The review process will benefit from having the widest possible input from all the interested parties.
Your input will help create highly tailored options that effectively address the concerns that have been identified.
Together, we will make underground mines safer places to work.
Hon Trevor Mallard
Minister of Labour
YOUR RESPONSE INVITED
The Department of Labour would like your feedback on effective ways to improve the identification and management of hazards in the underground mining industry. This document outlines some of the approaches that could be used to achieve this.
We want to hear what you think about these approaches, as well as any general thoughts you have on issues related to health and safety currently facing the underground mining industry. You can either answer the questions set out in the paper or submit a statement of your views.
Submissions are encouraged as it greatly enhances our analysis and decision-making process.