Health

Health management

To improve coordination of health issues in the mining and extractives industries the Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) has endorsed a new guide to assist sites in developing a Health Management Plan to address the contemporary and traditional health issues.

Traditionally health issues have played second fiddle to safety issues when addressing the risks facing employees in the mining industry. While safety often presents the most immediate risk, the long-term health of employees is of no less importance. Both health and safety need to be integrated within an operations health and safety management system or plan.

The new Guide to the Development and Implementation of a Health Management Plan aims to help the industry manage occupational health risks in the same systematic way they address safety risks. It will also help mines and quarries to better understand their existing legislative obligations in managing occupational health risks. The guidance is provided in the form of suggested approaches but is flexible so individual sites can develop a health management plan suited to their specific needs. Each section of the guide considers a specific aspect of the plan and provides an overview, information on the actions required, other desirable actions and a list of resources.

There is a strong focus within the guide on the development and implementation of the Health Management Plan. This includes:

•                      early and ongoing consultation;

•                      making a firm policy commitment to effective health risk management;

•                      establishment of roles and responsibilities;

•                      risk identification, assessment and control;

•                      development of assessment and monitoring procedures;

•                      training and supervision;

•                      development of a strategy to implement the plan;

•                      implementation of the plan;

•                      ongoing performance monitoring and evaluation of the risk management process;

•                      regular review and resultant modification of the plan; and

•                      integration of the plan with the overall health and safety management plan.

Health management plans are to be assessable and auditable by independent authorities so ongoing monitoring and evaluation will help an operation ensure their plan achieves its purpose and maintains effectiveness.

Contemporary priority health issues

The Mine Safety Advisory Council has identified nine priority health issues and urges the NSW mining and extractives industry to take necessary preventative action to reduce risks to workers.

These priorities were identified through a literature review commissioned by the mining industry Health Working Party and they are:

•                      Noise causing hearing loss;

•                      Vibration causing musculoskeletal disorders;

•                      Diesel exhaust fumes leading to respiratory disease;

•                      Hazardous substance exposure causing dermatitis;

•                      Ergonomic stressors causing musculoskeletal conditions;

•                      Ergonomic stressors causing back disorders;

•                      Ergonomic stressors causing fatigue and related disorders;

•                      Psychosocial hazards causing mental disorders;

•                      Ultraviolet radiation and skin disease.

Traditional health concerns for the mining industry have been silica, coal dust and asbestos and their resulting respiratory diseases. These were excluded from the final priority list as they are becoming far less common due to increased control measures. This does not mean they are any less important and management of these issues must be maintained.

Implementation stage

The guide will be supported by an education and assistance program overseen by MSAC. The program will be part of MSACs world-leading OHS agenda and will be coordinated by the Mining Industry Assistance Unit in partnership with industry stakeholders.

Downloads

Literature review

Summary of priority health issues matrix   

Wran Review into Mine Safety Recommendations 6 8

Guide to the Development and Implementation of a Health Management Plan

Health Working Party 

The Health Working Party (HWP) was established by the Minister to address Recommendations 6 to 8 of the Wran Review into Mine Safety on the coordination of health issues for the NSW mining industry.

The HWP consists of nominated representatives from the NSW Department of Industry and Investment, Coal Services, WorkCover NSW, employee and employer representatives and an independent health expert. The HWP reports to the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC).