New Regulation for Health, Safety and Subsidence

As you may be aware, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 applies to every industry in New South Wales, including the coalmining industry. However, despite this, the Government has determined that in addition, specific coalmine health and safety laws should remain in force in this State. The Coal Mine Health and Safety Act 2002 (The Act) replaces the 20-year-old Coal Mines Regulation Act 1987 (CMRA) with modern legislation that aims to better protect the health, safety and welfare of people who work in the New South Wales coal industry. The Act is complementary to the more general Occupational Health and Safety Act 2002 and is to be read as if part of that Act. It provides a framework to manage the particular risks arising from coalmining, and lays the foundation for an integrated approach to mine safety through the development of health and safety management systems, major hazard management plans and emergency systems.