The NSW Resources Regulator is preparing to launch its annual mine safety high visibility campaign, with inspectors set to visit more than 130 mine sites across the state over two weeks.
Beginning on June 22 and running until July 3, the campaign will target both underground and surface mining operations, with inspectors carrying out a mix of announced and unannounced site visits.
The annual initiative forms part of the regulator’s broader incident prevention strategy and ongoing engagement with industry aimed at improving safety performance across the state’s resources sector.
During the campaign, inspectors will assess how mine operators are managing critical controls designed to prevent material unwanted events (MUEs) – incidents that have the potential to result in multiple fatalities from a single event or recurring incidents that lead to a fatal outcome.
The assessments are based on planned review programs developed following a broad risk assessment of major hazards across the NSW mining industry conducted in 2024.
According to the regulator, the focus will be on legislated principal hazards and the effectiveness of the control plans and safety management systems used to manage them.
Inspectors will review both documentation and the implementation of critical controls on site, examining whether measures intended to prevent serious incidents are functioning as designed.
The regulator defines a critical control as a measure that, on its own, materially reduces either the likelihood or consequences of an event, even in the absence of other controls.
Where significant issues are identified, inspectors may issue compliance notices under work health and safety legislation.
At the conclusion of the campaign, the regulator will publish a summary report outlining key findings, recommendations to industry and any compliance action taken during the inspections.
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