Mine shafts and winding systems are integral to the functioning of underground mines as they transport of personnel, equipment and extracted materials between the surface and underground.
Managing risks
Mine shafts and winding systems pose significant safety risks which may arise from hazards such as:
- mechanical failures
- structural instability
- scenarios where workers can become trapped underground.
Managing risks and prioritising safety is essential to protect lives and ensure smooth operations while also following safety regulations.
Principal mining hazard management plan
Regulation r.627 of the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 (WHS Mines Regulations) requires that mine operators identify all principal mining hazards. They must also conduct a risk assessment that involves a comprehensive and systematic investigation and analysis of all aspects of the risk associated with those hazards.
The regulations also require that a principal mining hazard management plan (PMHMP) be prepared. A PMHMP is a document that outlines how the mine operator will manage risks to workers’ health and safety from principal mining hazards.
The PMHMP must account for the requirements from Schedule 19, clause 3 when putting controls in place to manage risks related to shafts and winding systems.
For assistance with designing control measures to reduce risks associated with mine shafts and winding operations, refer to r. 628(3) of the WHS Mines Regulations.
Additional assistance is also available in the Mine safety management system: Code of practice.
Winding systems
Under r. 644 of the WHS Mines Regulations, a mine operator must ensure that every winding system in a mine must include:
- ropes and devices capable of handling all expected forces
- control measures in place to prevent overspeed, overwind, excessive acceleration and deceleration and uncontrolled movement of the mine shaft conveyance
- at least two braking systems (or equivalent) to maintain control if one fails
- systems in place to detect malfunctions such as slack rope, rope slip, unsafe balance rope conditions (i.e. environmental factors, improper set-up, human error and equipment issues) and improper rope coiling
- mechanisms to stop the system safely when malfunctions are detected
- warning systems to alert workers in the mine about emergencies in the winding system or shaft
- remote monitoring of the winding system’s functions where it is reasonably practicable
- reliable communication between:
- the surface and any shaft conveyance transporting people, and
- between the winding system’s control point and the entry to every mine shaft in use
- a safe device to attach ropes to conveyances
- devices for multi-rope winders to uniformly distribute the load across all ropes.
Ensuring safe shafts and winding systems
A winding engine driver is a statutory position for a mine. A statutory position is a role that is mandated by law and requires specific qualifications, responsibilities and competencies.
As detailed in Schedule 26, clause 13 of the WHS Mines Regulations, a dedicated winding engine driver must be appointed to operate a winding system in an underground mine.
PCBUs must appoint a winding engine driver if the system is used to lower or raise people, materials or equipment in a mine shaft.
- For a class 1 winding engine with a power input of 75kW or more, the appointed driver must have assisted in operating a class 1 engine for at least 300 hours. This must have occurred under the supervision of a qualified winding engine driver who is eligible to operate a class 1 engine.
- For a class 2 winding engine with a power input of less than 75kW, the appointed driver must have assisted in operating a winder for a winding system for at least 300 hours under the supervision of a qualified winding engine driver who is eligible to operate a winder.
Drivers of both classes must be assessed by their mine operator or site senior executive to confirm their competency in operating the respective winding engines.
Ropes
Under r. 644A of the WHS Mines Regulations, a mine operator must also ensure that regular inspection and testing is conducted on each rope in the winding system to confirm it is safe for use. There must also be clear criteria that specifies when a rope is unsuitable for use. If ropes fail these standards or are deemed unsafe, they must be discarded.
Operation of mine shaft conveyances
Regulation 645 of the WHS Mines Regulations states that underground mine operators must ensure that any material or equipment transported in a mine shaft is securely fastened and does not extend out in a way that would allow it to collide with the shaft walls or other objects. The items must be securely fastened in a way that prevents them from being removed accidentally.
Workers being transported in a mine shaft must be properly protected from potential hazards including:
- other conveyances in the same shaft
- any materials or plant in other conveyances
- the shaft walls or anything in the mine shaft.
If a mine shaft conveyance includes both a cage and a skip, the mine operator must ensure that no materials or equipment are transported in the skip while people are being carried in the cage.
Control measures must also be put in place to prevent a conveyance from falling down the shaft. Loading facilities must also be designed and operated to prevent persons, rocks, materials or equipment from falling down the shaft.
Maintenance of mine shaft conveyance
Under regulation 213 and 645 of the WHS Mines Regulations, the operator of an underground mine must ensure that both shafts and winding systems are kept in good condition, regularly tested and monitored by qualified persons to ensure safe performance.
An energy lockout system must be installed on all electrical and mechanical equipment used for operating, maintaining, or accessing the mine shaft.
Penalties
Penalties for non-compliance with the WHS Mines Regulations can result in fines of up to $7,000 for individuals and $35,000 for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs).
Notifying intention to sink a shaft or install a winding system
Sinking a shaft or installing a winding system is considered a high risk mining activity (HRA).
To sink a shaft or install a winding system, the mine operator of an underground mine is required to provide written notification to the regulator 45 days prior to commencing and all notifications must be submitted via the Safety Regulation System (SRS).
Incident reporting for shaft conveyance systems
If an incident occurs where there is damage to, or failure of any part of a winding system, mine shaft conveyance, mine shaft or shaft plant that does not injure a worker, the mine operator must report the incident to the Regulator as an r.5(g) reportable incident through SRS as soon as reasonably practicable.
If any part of a winding system, mine shaft conveyance, mine shaft, or shaft plant is damaged or fails and no worker is injured, the mine operator must still report the incident. The report, classified as an r.5(g) incident, must be submitted to the Regulator through SRS as soon as reasonably practicable.
If the incident involves a serious injury to a worker, then a notifiable incident must be reported on 1800 678 198.
Submitting notifications for high risk mining activities
Use the HRA 1: Commencing sinking, widening or deepening of a mine shaft using entry methods at an underground mine form to submit your notification.
For other winding system notifications, use these forms to submit your notification:
- HRA 2: Installing a winding system or making major changes to an already installed winding system at an underground mine
- HRA 3: Commissioning a winding system at an underground mine
Learn more about submitting notifications for high risk mining activities (HRAs).