South Australian Current Regulations

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS 2012 - REG 642

642—Inrush hazards

        (1)         The mine operator of an underground mine must implement a system for the mine that ensures—

            (a)         the identification of all reasonably foreseeable inrush hazards at the mine; and

            (b)         the determination of the presence and location of an inrush hazard by exploratory bore-holes (including a way of sealing or otherwise controlling a bore-hole to prevent inrush) or other exploratory methods; and

            (c)         communication of the location of identified inrush hazards, including inrush hazards being approached, to all affected persons; and

            (d)         the determination of whether or not an identified inrush hazard is a principal mining hazard; and

            (e)         if an identified inrush hazard is a principal mining hazard—the identification, establishment and maintenance of an inrush control zone for the inrush hazard in accordance with this regulation.

Maximum penalty:

            (a)         in the case of an individual—$6 000;

            (b)         in the case of a body corporate—$30 000.

        (2)         An inrush control zone must be located in the vicinity of the inrush hazard and—

            (a)         if the exact location of the inrush hazard is known—extend at least 50 metres from the location of the inrush hazard; or

            (b)         if the exact location of the inrush hazard is not known—extend any greater distance from the suspected location of the inrush hazard determined by a risk assessment conducted under regulation 627.

        (3)         The mine operator must ensure, in relation to each inrush control zone, that control measures and procedures are implemented to control the risk of inrush.

        (4)         The mine operator must ensure that an inrush control zone is not mined before—

            (a)         control measures and procedures have been implemented under subregulation (3); and

            (b)         the persons who are to work in the zone have been trained in relation to the implementation of those controls and procedures.

        (5)         If an identified inrush hazard is not at an accessible place at the mine, it is sufficient to control the risk from inrush by—

            (a)         providing adequate separation of solid rock between the mine workings and the assessed worst case position of the potential source of inrush; and

            (b)         complying with the requirements of any applicable principal mining hazard management plan prepared for inrush hazards.

        (6)         The mine operator of an underground mine, before connecting any underground mine workings at the mine to any other workings (including disused workings), must—

            (a)         ensure that the other workings are inspected for water, gas and any other circumstance that may be an inrush hazard; and

            (b)         if it is not possible to safely gain access to the workings to be connected—ensure that exploratory bore-holes or other exploratory methods are used to determine the location of the other workings.

Maximum penalty:

            (a)         in the case of an individual—$6 000;

            (b)         in the case of a body corporate—$30 000.