Teams of inspectors will be arriving unannounced at large quarries across New South Wales this month following an electric shock incident last September.
The campaign to increase safety will determine how well quarry operators are identifying and nullifying risk in their electrical engineering control plans.
New South Wales Resources Regulator chief inspector of mines Garvin Burns said the inspections are completely in the interest of workforce safety.
“Where inspectors form the view that workers may be exposed to serious risk due to a lack of effective risk controls, appropriate compliance action will be taken to protect the safety of those workers,” Burns said.
Should any quarry operators be concerned about compliance standards or need to refresh their knowledge in the need for electrical awareness, Institute of Quarrying Australia President Shane Braddy said the Institute is ready to help.
“The IQA has a number of resources available to guide quarries in electrical awareness and we can provide on-site training if required to support the implementation of effective controls,” Braddy said.
While large quarries will be accounted for in this March inspection blitz, smaller operations are planned to receive a similar treatment at some time before July 2021.
The Resources Regulator outlined how it plans to tackle similar issues in its compliance priorities for January to June 2021.
The compliance priorities for small operations include the management of respirable dust, hazardous chemicals, contractors and land rehabilitation.
For more information, read the NSW Resources Regulator Compliance Priorities for January to June 2021.
To learn more about the IQA’s Electrical Awareness Booklet and its Electrical Awareness webinar, email admin@quarry.com.au or visit the IQA website.
More reading
Regulator revises Tier 2 quarry manager requirements
SA safety authority launches variations to mine managers regulations
NSW Resources Regulator commences roadshows for quarries
.png){kind=small}
