Mines safety bulletin no. 163 | 21 June 2017 | Version 1
If changes to site arrangements could impact fatigue or fitness for work, the site is expected to trigger change management processes and undertake a fatigue risk assessment process complying with site senior executive obligations under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (CMSHA), and specific requirements under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001 (CMSHR), sections 10 (3) and 42. Section 10(3) requires that in developing the standard operating procedure, the site senior executive must:
A concern is that sites are not meeting their obligations under the CMSHA, section 30(2)(d). Section 30(2) stipulates that the systems must incorporate risk management elements and practices appropriate for each coal mine to:
a) identify, analyse, and assess risk
b) avoid or remove unacceptable risk
c) monitor levels of risk and the adverse consequences of retained residual risk
d) investigate and analyse the causes of serious accidents and high potential incidents with a view to preventing their recurrence
e) review the effectiveness of risk control measures, and take appropriate corrective and preventive action
f) mitigate the potential adverse effects arising from residual risk.
Many sites have no specific methods to identify fatigue contributing factors in investigations of serious accidents and high potential incidents.
Recommendation 15
‘That the Mines Inspectorate investigate:
(a) the implementation of a fatigue management Recognised Standard incorporating a workable definition of fatigue including consideration of parameters for maximum number of hours in a day, a week and a shift cycle; and if so then
(b) enforcement powers be implemented either within a statutory framework or the employment contract or both to ensure compliance with the fatigue management standard on the shoulders of the employer and the employee.’
This recommendation highlights that fatigue is considered a joint responsibility, and procedures cannot only focus on worker (or contract/labour hire employee) ‘self-management’.
Recommendation 17
‘That mine operators fully explore control measures to reduce or eliminate the risks associated with workers commuting whilst fatigued.’
This highlights that Mine operators are expected to consider a range of control measures to reduce or eliminate the risks associated with workers commuting whilst fatigued, with cumulative fatigue from consecutive night shifts a particular area of concern for the commute home.
Recommendation 18
‘That the Mines Inspectorate sponsor, in conjunction with the Queensland Resources Council and the CFMEU, targeted research at both the industry and mine level into shiftwork fatigue risk management and commuting to ensure risk is at an acceptable level.’
This recommendation has resulted in published, peer reviewed research showing that fatigue risk on the roads can be affected by the distance of the journey after working night shifts, the number of consecutive night shifts worked, and hours of sleep prior to driving.
Contact: Trudy Tilbury, Senior Principal Ergonomist , +61 7 4999 8508 trudy.tilbury@dnrm.qld.gov.au
Issued by Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines
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All information on this page (Safety and health management system elements and guidance for effective risk management of fatigue - https://www.rshq.qld.gov.au/safety-notices/mines/risk-management-of-fatigue) is correct as of time of printing (Sep 28, 2024 11:16 am).