Health & safety topics

An airborne contaminant is a fume, mist, gas, vapour, dust or other microorganism that is a potentially harmful substance to which individuals may be exposed in their working environment.

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Dust diseases caused by exposure to airborne contaminants can kill or cause serious long-term health complications for workers. Pneumoconiosis and silicosis are just two preventable dust diseases that require appropriate dust controls, atmospheric monitoring and worker health monitoring.

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Information on the cognitive, social and personal resource skills that complement technical skills and contribute to safe and efficient task performance

Go to ANTS health & safety topics

Contractors and inexperienced workers are identified as at risk workers in the NSW mining and extractives industry.

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A definition of bullying, information on workers' rights and who to contact about bullying

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Topics, guidance material and incident information regarding electrical engineering safety.

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All mines are required to have an Emergency Plan. The plan is a principal control plan under the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2014 and forms part of the safety management system of the mine.

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Information on the regulation of exploration for minerals under the WHS Act

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Information to help identify and manage fatigue in the NSW mining industry

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A review of data has identified a concerning increase of reports of fires on mobile plant in New South Wales.

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Exposure to hazardous chemicals can cause serious illness, irritations, injury or even death.

Go to Hazardous chemicals at mine and petroleum sites

Information on priority health issues for the NSW mining industry

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Workers who are exposed to heat are at risk of developing heat stress, which can lead to more life-threatening conditions.

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An overview of human factors in the mining industry, including where to find further information.

Go to Human and organisational factors

Key risks, legislation guidance, mechanical reports and other topics relevant to mechanical engineering safety

Go to Mechanical engineering

Resources to help establish the safe and sustainable recovery of mineral resources

Go to Mining engineering

Information on musculoskeletal disorders and the risk factors that lead to their development

Go to Muscuoloskeletal disorders

Information and guidance on naturally occurring asbestos.

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WHS obligations that apply to opal and gemstone miners

Go to Opal & gemstone mining

Download elements of the Minerals industry Risk Management model and Mining Design Guidelines

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Roof bolting is tough work and is identified by the workers who undertake the job as their most hazardous manual task.

Go to Bolting rig incident review for underground coal mines

A tool to assist safety incentive schemes in the mining and extractives industry in NSW

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The NSW Resources Regulator has identified an increase in the occurrence of serious incidents in 2018. It is the role of the regulator to remind industry that any one of these serious incidents could have resulted in one or more fatalities.

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The NSW Resources Regulator are holding a series of health and safety roadshow across NSW.

Go to Small mines and quarries

Information on the statutory functions that apply to different classes of mines

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Information on the work of mine subsidence management group

Go to Subsidence engineering

Regulations that apply to tourist mines under WHS legislation

Go to Tourist mines