Major investigations
The Investigation Unit is an autonomous unit that reports to the Director-General. It conducts investigations into major accidents and incidents in the NSW mining industry for coroner’s reports and legal proceedings.
The Unit aims to contribute to a better understanding and management of the safety hazards and risks in mining operations. It provides industry with information on the lessons learnt from past accidents and incidents to increase safety awareness.
The Investigation Unit also provides training to the Department’s safety officers and mechanical and electrical engineering groups. This training enhances the knowledge and skills of officers who investigate incidents and accidents, enforce legislation and may be required to give evidence in court.
Investigation reports
The Investigation Unit publishes reports on incidents as a useful resource for industry. The reports provide:
- information useful for a risk assessment
- cause and circumstance of the incident
- findings
- best practice
- action taken after the incident
- relevant published reference material
Slide presentations are also published and are a useful resource for toolbox talks. They include:
- 6-10 slides
- a summary of the published report
- photographs to help better understand the incident
Click here to access investigation reports and slide presentations.
Reports to Industry
Reports to industry analyse the information contained in groups of incidents of a similar nature.
| File | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Review of drilling and bolting incidents |  |
102Kb |
| Proximity detection related incidents | |
931Kb |
Enforcement of health and safety standards in mines
Trade & Investment NSW enforcement policy concerns the enforcement functions of the Department relevant to health and safety in mines and addresses related issues.
| File | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement of health and safety standards in mines | |
163Kb |
Enforceable Undertakings
When an alleged contravention of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 has occurred, NSW Trade & Investment may accept a Work Health and Safety Undertaking instead of initiating a prosecution. Full details are in the Enforceable Undertakings -Information at a glance document below.
| File | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforceable Undertakings - Information at a Glance | |
163Kb |
Agreed Undertakings
An agreed undertaking is a legal agreement which obliges an organisation to carry out specific activities to improve worker health and safety as well as delivering benefits to the mining industry and the broader community.
| File | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Centennial Myuna and Sandvik Mining & Construction Redhead agreed undertaking - Summary | |
31Kb |
| Centennial Myuna and Sandvik Mining & Construction Redhead agreed undertaking - Signed agreement | |
889Kb |