Best Practice Mine Safety Legislation: Are We There Yet?

Abstract

Mine safety regulation has come a long way in the last 10 years. In Queensland, a system which had long lagged far behind "mainstream" OHS regulation has shifted to a point where, in some respects at least, it is now substantially ahead. The highly detailed and prescriptive approach of former decades has largely given way not only to the adoption of "goal setting" and risk management approaches, but also to requirements to adopt hazard management plans that are integrated with holistic health and safety management systems. This article assesses these developments and asks whether OHS regulation in Queensland is approaching "best practice" or whether further and substantial changes would be necessary to achieve that elusive goal.