Notice Type
Departmental
Notice of the Requirements of Applicants for Certificates of Competence Under the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Administration) Regulations 1996 Pursuant to regulation 20 of the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Administration) Regulations 1996, I, Robert J. M. Hill, General Manager, Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour, in exercise of those powers delegated to me by the Secretary of Labour, pursuant to section 41 of the State Sector Act 1988, hereby give notice of the qualifications and experience required to hold a certificate of competence listed in regulation 16 of the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Administration) Regulations 1996. N o t i c e Throughout this notice reference to: The ``secretary'' shall mean the Secretary of Labour. ``approved'' shall mean approved by the Secretary of Labour. The ``regulations'' shall mean the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Administration) Regulations 1996. First-Class Mine Managers' Certificates 1. A first-class mine manager's certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for the first-class mine manager's certificate, he or she satisfies the secretary that he or she has been employed in the underground workings of a mine, or of a tunnel, if the workings were, in the opinion of the secretary, similar to the workings of a mine, for a period or periods totalling: (a) If he or she has held a certificate of competence as a first-class coal mine manager under the Coal Mines Act 1979 or regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, for not less than 1 year, of which not more than 6 months was in a tunnel; or (b) If he or she has either a degree in Mineral Technology (Mining) conferred by the University of Otago or is the holder of a degree or diploma in mining engineering conferred by any other university or school of mines, for not less than 3 years (including any periods served in the course of study) at least 1 year of which was at the face of a mine, or tunnel, of which not more than 6 months was in a tunnel; or (c) In every other case, if he or she has not less than 3 years experience at the face of a mine or tunnel, of which not more than 6 months was in a tunnel. First-Class Coal Mine Managers' Certificates 1. A first-class coal mine manager's certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for the first-class coal mine managers' certificates, he or she satisfies the secretary that he or she has been employed in the underground workings of a coal mine, or of a tunnel, if the workings were, in the opinion of the secretary, similar to the workings of a coal mine, for a period or periods totalling: (a) If he or she has held a certificate of competence as a first-class mine manager under the Mining Act 1971 or regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, for not less than 1 year, of which not more than 6 months was in a tunnel; or (b) If he or she has either a degree in Mineral Technology (Mining) conferred by the University of Otago or is the holder of a degree or diploma in mining engineering conferred by any other university or school of mines, for not less than 3 years (including any periods served in the course of study) at least 1 year of which was at the face of a coal mine, or tunnel, of which not more than 6 months was in a tunnel; or (c) In every other case, not less than 5 years, at least 1 year of which was at the face of a coal mine or tunnel, of which not more than 6 months was in a tunnel. 2. Every applicant for a certificate of competence as a first-class coal mine manager is required to be the holder of a current gas tester certificate. A-Grade Opencast Coal Mine Managers' Certificates 1. An A-Grade opencast coal mine managers' certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for an A-Grade opencast coal mine managers certificate: (a) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 2 years' experience (including at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives) in the workings of an opencast coal mine; or (b) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 12 months' experience in the workings of an opencast coal mine, and at least 2 years' experience in the underground workings of a mine, coal mine, or tunnel, including (within that period of 3 years) at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives; or (c) (i) He or she is the holder of the relevant first-class mine manager's certificate under the Mining Act 1971, the Coal Mines Act 1979, or regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; and (ii) He or she has had at least 12 months' experience in an opencast coal mine. B-Grade Opencast Coal Mine Manager's Certificates 1. A B-Grade opencast coal mine manager's certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a B-Grade opencast coal mine manager's certificate: (a) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 2 years' experience (including at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives) in the workings of an opencast coal mine; or (b) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 12 months' experience in the workings of an opencast coal mine and at least 2 years' experience in the underground workings of a mine, coal mine, or tunnel, including (within that period of 3 years) at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives; or (c) (i) He or she is the holder of the relevant first-class mine manager's certificate under the Mining Act 1971, the Coal Mines Act 1979, or regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; and (ii) He or she has had at least 12 months' experience in an opencast coal mine. A-Grade Quarry Managers' Certificates 1. An A-Grade quarry managers' certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for an A-Grade quarry managers' certificate: (a) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 2 years' experience (including at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives) in the workings of an opencast mine or quarry; or (b) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 12 months' experience in the workings of an opencast mine or quarry, and at least 2 years' experience in the underground workings of a mine, coal mine, or tunnel, including (within that period of 3 years) at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives; or (c) (i) He or she is the holder of the relevant first-class mine manager's certificate under the Mining Act 1971, the Coal Mines Act 1979, or regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; and (ii) He or she has had at least 12 months' experience in an opencast mine or quarry. B-Grade Quarry Manager's Certificates 1. A B-Grade quarry manager's certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a B-Grade quarry manager's certificate: (a) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 2 years' experience (including at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives) in the workings of an opencast mine or quarry; or (b) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 12 months' experience in the workings of an opencast mine or quarry and at least 2 years' experience in the underground workings of a mine, coal mine, or tunnel, including (within that period of 3 years) at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives; or (c) (i) He or she is the holder of a relevant first-class mine manager's certificate under the Mining Act 1971, the Coal Mines Act 1979, or regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; and (ii) He or she has had at least 12 months' experience in an opencast mine or quarry. A-Grade Tunnel Managers' Certificates 1. An A-Grade tunnel managers' certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for an A-Grade tunnel managers' certificate: (a) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 2 years' experience (including at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives) in the workings of a tunnel; or (b) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 12 months' experience in the workings of a tunnel, and at least 2 years' experience in the underground workings of a mine, coal mine including (within that period of 3 years) at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives; or (c) (i) He or she is the holder of a relevant first-class mine manager's certificate under the Mining Act 1971, the Coal Mines Act 1979, or regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; and (ii) He or she has had at least 12 months' experience in a tunnel. B-Grade Tunnel Manager's Certificates 1. A B-Grade tunnel manager's certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a B-Grade tunnel manager's certificate (a) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 2 years' experience (including at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives) in the workings of a tunnel; or (b) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 12 months' experience in the workings of a tunnel, and at least 2 years' experience in the underground workings of a mine or coal mine, including (within that period of 3 years) at least 6 months' experience assisting in the use of explosives; or (c) (i) He or she is the holder of a relevant first-class mine manager's certificate under the Mining Act 1971, the Coal Mines Act 1979, or regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; and (ii) He or she has had at least 12 months' experience in a tunnel. Managers' Certificates for Specified Opencast Coal Mines 1. A manager's certificate for a specified opencast coal mine shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a manager's certificate for a specified opencast coal mine, he or she satisfies the secretary that: (a) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 2 years' experience in the type of work involved in the operation in respect of which the certificate is sought; and (b) The operation in respect of which the certificate is sought is a surface operation in which explosives are not used and which is of a nature that does not require a manager having an A-grade or a B-grade certificate as required in any regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992. 2. Every manager's certificate of a type referred to in this section shall specify the operation in respect of which it is issued and shall be valid only in respect of that operation. Managers' Certificates for Specified Quarries 1. A manager's certificate for a specified quarry shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a manager's certificate for a specified quarry, he or she satisfies the secretary that: (a) He or she has had in the aggregate at least 2 years' experience in the type of work involved in the operation in respect of which the certificate is sought; and (b) The operation in respect of which the certificate is sought is a surface operation in which explosives are not used and is of a nature which does not require a manager having an A-grade or a B-grade certificate as required in any regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992. 2. Every manager's certificate of a type referred to in this section shall specify the operation in respect of which it is issued and shall be valid only in respect of that operation. Coal Mine Deputy's Certificates 1. A coal mine deputy's certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a coal mine deputy's certificate, he or she satisfies the secretary that: (a) (i) Where the applicant is the holder of a mine manager's certificate under the Mining Act 1971 or an A-Grade tunnel manager's certificate under the Quarries and Tunnels Act 1982, the applicant has had at least 1 year's experience actively engaged in the winning of coal and support of the face openings; or (ii) In all other cases, the applicant has had at least 5 years' experience in the underground workings of a coal mine or of a metalliferous mine or in tunnel construction, including 2 years' experience actively engaged in the winning of coal and support of the face openings and 1 years' experience in some or all of the shift work referred to in subclause (2) of this section; and (b) The applicant is the holder of a first-aid certificate showing that the applicant is qualified to give first-aid to persons requiring it, and any such certificate shall have been obtained within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of application; and (c) The applicant for a certificate of competence as a coal mine deputy is a holder of a current gas tester certificate issued under the regulations. 2. The shift work to which subclause (1) (a) (ii) of this section applies, comprises: (a) Preparing for and installing either mechanical or hydraulic transport of coal; (b) Building permanent or temporary stoppings; (c) Ventilation and erection of brattice; (d) Erection of either steel or timber sets; (e) Erection of other types of roof supports. Coal Mine Underviewer's Certificates 1. A coal mine underviewer's certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a coal mine underviewer's certificate, he or she satisfies the secretary that: (a) (i) Where the applicant is the holder of a mine manager's certificate under the Mining Act 1971 or an A-Grade tunnel manager's certificate under the Quarries and Tunnels Act 1982, the applicant has had at least 1 year's experience actively engaged in the winning of coal and support of the face openings; or (ii) In all other cases, the applicant has had at least 5 years' experience in the underground workings of a coal mine or of a metalliferous mine or in tunnel construction, including 2 years' experience actively engaged in the winning of coal and support of the face openings and 1 years' experience in some or all of the shift work referred to in subclause (2) of this section; and (b) The applicant is the holder of a first-aid certificate showing that the applicant is qualified to give first-aid to persons requiring it, and any such certificate shall have been obtained within the 5 years immediately preceding the date of application; and (c) The applicant for a certificate of competence as a coal mine underviewer is a holder of a current gas tester certificate issued under the regulations. 2. The shift work to which subclause (1) (a) (ii) of this section applies, comprises: (a) Preparing for and installing either mechanical or hydraulic transport of coal; (b) Building permanent or temporary stoppings; (c) Ventilation and erection of brattice; (d) Erection of either steel or timber sets; (e) Erection of other types of roof supports. Gas Tester Certificates 1. A gas tester certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a gas tester certificate, he or she satisfies the secretary that: (a) He or she is the holder of a current first aid certificate; and (b) He or she has passed a course of instruction in mine gases and shot firing and has had in the aggregate at least 6 months' experience in the handling, charging and firing of explosives in a coal mine. Mine Shot Firer's Certificates 1. A mine shot firer's certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a mine shot firer's certificate, he or she satisfies the secretary that: (a) He or she is the holder of a current first aid certificate; and (b) He or she has passed a course of instruction in shot firing and has had in the aggregate at least 6 months' experience in the handling, charging and firing of explosives in a mine. Mine Surveyor's Certificate 1. A mine surveyor's certificate shall be granted to any person who has passed the approved assessment for a mine surveyor's certificate and: (a) Who has been trained to the satisfaction of the secretary as a mine surveyor by a person who is a registered surveyor under the surveyors Act 1966 or by a person who has a certificate of competency as a mine surveyor, and periodic reports on training have been supplied to the secretary; and (b) Who has had at least 3 years' practical experience in surveying including 6 months' experience in opencast and topographical surveying, 6 months' experience in engineering surveying, 6 months' experience underground in the surveying of mines, and 3 months' experience in boundary definition work comprising field and office work. Quarry Shot Firer's Certificates 1. A quarry shot firer's certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a quarry shot firer's certificate, he or she satisfies the secretary that: (a) He or she is the holder of a current first aid certificate; and (b) He or she has passed a course of instruction in shot firing and has had in the aggregate at least 6 months' experience in the handling, charging and firing of explosives in a quarry. Tunnel Shot Firer's Certificates 1. A tunnel shot firer's certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a tunnel shot firer's certificate, he or she satisfies the secretary that: (a) He or she is the holder of a current first aid certificate; and (b) He or she has passed a course of instruction in shot firing and had in the aggregate at least 6 months' experience in the handling, charging and firing of explosives in a tunnel. Winding Engine Driver Certificates 1. A winding engine driver certificate shall be granted to a person if, in addition to passing the approved assessment for a winding engine driver certificate, he or she satisfies the secretary that: (a) He or she can demonstrate that they have the ability to operate a winder and respond to standard industry signals; and (b) He or she can demonstrate that they have knowledge of, and the appropriate skill to respond to, emergency procedures. Recognition of Overseas Certificates or Work Experience 1. The secretary may grant any of the certificates of competency, listed in regulation 16 of the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Administration) Regulations 1996, other than a gas tester's certificate or a winding engine driver's certificate, without assessment to any person, if the secretary is satisfied that: (a) The applicant is to reside in New Zealand, either permanently or temporarily; and (b) (i) The applicant is the holder of a certificate of a corresponding class granted outside New Zealand and the standard of training; and assessment required for the grant of the overseas certificate is equivalent to that required for the grant of a certificate under regulations made under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; or (ii) The applicant is the holder of credentials that clearly demonstrate his or her mining experience outside New Zealand and his or her ability to carry out the duties of the position to which the certificate pertains; and (c) The applicant has provided a letter from their present employer, or immediate previous employer if not currently employed, that they are of good character and repute; and (d) The applicant is able to speak, write and understand the English language sufficiently for the purpose of carrying out the duties to which the certificate of competence pertains. Further Information Information regarding approved assessments can be obtained from the Manager, Business Development and Operations Unit, Occupational Safety and Health Service, P.O. Box 3705, Wellington. Dated at Wellington this 20th day of March 1998. R. J. M. HILL, General Manager, Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour.