What is a mine safety management system (MSMS)?
An MSMS is a comprehensive and integrated system for the management of all aspects of risks to health and safety in relation to the operation of a mine. The Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 (WHS Mines Regulations) require that the MSMS must be designed to be used by the mine operator as the primary means of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and other persons at the mine.
The MSMS should include all site-specific documentation, risk assessments, controls, organisational structures, statutory appointments and supporting processes. It must be readily available and understood by all mine workers and provide information about hazards, risks and controls that are in place to ensure safety while at work.
All mines were expected to have a fully functioning MSMS by 31 March 2024 and WorkSafe Mines Safety inspectorate will take appropriate regulatory action where it is found that the MSMS has not been fully developed as mandated.
Review and continuous improvement
Now that two years of the transition period have elapsed, mine operators should be moving into the review and continuous improvement phase. There are three levels of review required to maintain and improve the MSMS:
- a review of controls is required if the controls are found to be deficient. This could be triggered by a change to the operation, a notifiable incident, audit or a specific request
- an audit process should be in place to ensure the effectiveness of the MSMS
- the whole mine safety management system is to be reviewed every three years.
Appropriate consultation with workers is a key element in developing and improving the MSMS. The Mine safety management system: Code of practice may be a useful source of guidance, along with the Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination: Code of practice.
WorkSafe is developing self-assessments for MSMS and principal mine hazard management plans, which are scheduled for release in the near future. In the interim, mine operators that are applying the current suite of self-assessments should note that regulatory references in the mining self-assessment audit guides need to be updated to align with the WHS Mines Regulations, but the underlying principles remain applicable.
