The chief executive of WorkSafe New Zealand (WorkSafe) has asked the Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety to note WorkSafe’s intention to issue, and apply for approval of, codes pursuant to sections 20 and 20A of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.

The codes will set out a statement of preferred work practices or arrangements for the health and safety of those working in the mining and tunnelling industries.

WorkSafe will issue five codes. Two will be designed to assist the senior site executive develop a principal control plan, as required by the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2013, for:

1. emergency planning

2. worker health.

Three codes will be designed to assist the senior site executive develop a principal hazard management plan, as required by the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2013, for:

1. ground or strata instability

2. air quality

3. spontaneous combustion.

As part of the development of the emergency planning code of practice, WorkSafe will review and amend section 8.9 of the Fire or explosion in underground mines and tunnels ACOP, February 2015.

The codes will be developed with industry and union representatives. Parties affected by the proposed codes will be consulted when the codes are developed. This will be done through the WorkSafe website.

Dated at Wellington this 11th day of December 2015.

GORDON MACDONALD, Chief Executive, WorkSafe New Zealand.