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Occupational health

A key aim of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (WA) is to promote and secure the safety and health of people engaged in mining operations.

In providing an environment where employees are not exposed to hazards, employers must consider health as well as safety.

"Health" includes work related injuries and disease, such as:

  • Industrial deafness
  • Dermatitis
  • Occupational overuse injuries
  • Asbestosis and occupational cancers.

It could also include more general health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure and stress, where the work environment and procedures could be shown to be contributing factors.

This section provides information on the following:

Asbestos

The presence of contaminant asbestos minerals in mines has been the focus of extensive concern and control within the industry.

It has been well established and publicised that health risks may arise through the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibres.

Employers have a duty to ensure that worker exposure to airborne asbestos fibres is within regulatory standards and as low as reasonably practicable.

The following documents provide further guidance on asbestos in mining operation:

Note: The national exposure standard for all asbestos fibres is now 0.1 fibres per millilitre (f/mL). Previously, the exposure standard for chrysotile asbestos was 1.0 f/mL but this was changed in 2003. A list of all national exposure standards (external link) is available from Australian Safety and Compensation Council.

National asbestos ban

Asbestos has been used extensively throughout the construction industry in WA, including on minesites. Common examples are asbestos cement sheeting, thermal and acoustic insulation.

A national ban on the use, sale or importation of asbestos took effect on 31 December, 2003. A fact sheet on the ban and its implications (external link) is available in PDF format from WorkSafe.

This national ban has been given effect in the minerals industry by an amendment to the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 (WA).

Guidance on management plans

The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC)* website provides an index of national standards, codes of practice and related guidance notes (external link), which can be sorted by topic.

Revised ASCC codes of practice and guidelines for asbestos were published in 2005. The Code of practice for the management and control of asbestos in workplaces [NOHSC: 2018(2005)] contains very useful guidance for the development of asbestos management plans (see Part 8). Note: The guideline can be obtained through the link above.

* Formerly National Occupational Health and Safety Commission.

Asbestos queries

  • Personal or household – contact your local council
  • Commercial or construction – call WorkSafe on +61 8 9327 8777
  • List of licensed asbestos removal companies (external link to WorkSafe) 
  • Mine sites or mineral exploration – call +61 8 9358 8092.

Health surveillance program (MineHealth)

 

Medical bulletins

Occupational health posters

These posters are also available as A2 prints. Contact ResourcesSafety@docep.wa.gov.au.

Radiation safety

Managing naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in mining and mineral processing guideline

This guideline should be used by anyone engaged in mining operations in Western Australia that involve or have the potential to involve naturally occurring radioactive material. This includes exploration, mining and mineral processing. The guideline is available in sections below: