NSW Mine Safety Investigations

NSW Mine Safety Investigations

17 July 2013

NSW Trade & Investment (Mine Safety Investigation Unit) take up COMtrac as the investigation and brief management system for investigations into breaches of workplace health and safety legislation.

The NSW Trade & Investment Investigation Unit was established by the NSW Government to improve mine safety in the state. It investigates the nature, cause and circumstances of major accidents and incidents in the NSW mining and extractives industry. The unit uses the outcomes of investigations to help the regulator and industry learn about incident causes so that mines can take steps to prevent similar occurrences. Investigators examine fatal accidents, very serious injuries, serious high risk incidents and other matters including gas and dust explosions and inrushes of water.

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. Through the verification of appropriate safety systems, processes and standards Mine Safety strives to be an efficient and effective regulator, encouraging those who exceed minimum standards and holding accountable those who do not.

The unit prepares investigation reports that are submitted to the department’s Assessment Review Committee. The committee considers legal advice and the public interest, and advises the Director General as to whether legal proceedings ought to follow, or whether other alternative enforcement measures would be preferred.

With COMtrac as your investigation partner, you are able to increase your front line capacity while resting assured COMtrac is by your side as your partner helping strengthen results, reducing risk and improving the overall quality of your investigations.