The potentially hazardous nature of mining operations, and their often remote locations, mean that being prepared for an emergency situation is critical to the safety and health of personnel. For the purposes of this code of practice, the term emergency means a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation, and encompasses an emergency as defined in section 3 of the Emergency Management Act 2005.
Emergency management involves understanding the likelihood of an emergency situation and its potential consequences, being prepared to mitigate its effects, responding appropriately, and recovering afterwards. Effective emergency management means that there are plans in place for all foreseeable emergency scenarios so the response is comprehensive and coordinated.
The aims of this code of practice are to:
- describe the key variables or factors to be considered when emergency response activities are undertaken, including hazard identification and risk management
- assist with establishing an emergency plan as part of a site’s safety management system
- outline the broader occupational safety and health requirements for undertaking emergency response in accordance with the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
The code promotes a proactive approach to the introduction and application of an emergency plan to safeguard employees.