Vehicle safety at mines

What’s this about?

The Resources Regulator is working to improve the safety of workers in NSW mines. 

When operating mobile plant at a mining operation, there are numerous risks that should be continually assessed and subsequently controlled to ensure the health and safety of workers. 

The risk of vehicle interaction is one that all mine operators should consider when determining the appropriate controls for roads or other vehicle operating areas.

What’s the Regulator doing?

The Resources Regulator formed the Adverse Vehicle Interaction Advisory Committee (AVIAC) in 2024. AVIAC is a tripartite committee with representatives from the NSW Minerals Council, Cement Concrete and Aggregates Australia, the Mining and Energy Union, Australian Workers Union and the Regulator.

AVIAC developed a draft Technical Reference Guide (TRG) Road or other vehicle operating areas in surface mining operations. The Regulator carried out public consultation on the draft TRG during February 2025. In response to significant feedback, the Regulator, in consultation with AVIAC, has developed version 2 of the draft TRG

The TRG will provide information to assist mine operators and other duty holders to comply with legislative requirements for a roads and other vehicle operating areas principal hazard management plan to avoid adverse vehicle interactions.

Public consultation

You are invited to have your say on version 2 of the draft Technical Reference Guide (TRG) - Roads or other vehicle operating areas principal hazard management plan for surface mining operations (PDF, 1.29 MB).

Your feedback will help the Regulator address adverse vehicle interaction in the NSW mining industry. 

Consultation is open for 4 weeks from Friday 2 May to Friday 30 May 2025.

Written submissions can be made to nswresources.policy@regional.nsw.gov.au

NSW Resources will publish a summary of themes from the written submissions received.