National Mine Safety Framework (NWSF)

The National Mine Safety Framework (NMSF) is an initiative of the Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources (MCMPR), which aims to establish a nationally consistent occupational health and safety (OHS) regime in the mining industry. The Framework consists of seven strategies, focused on areas where consistency across jurisdictions would be most beneficial. The goal of the NMSF is to achieve both consistency and improved safety outcomes through appropriate regulatory frameworks.

In November 2005, MCMPR established a tripartite Steering Group (comprising State/Northern Territory and Australian Government officials, five industry associations, and two trade unions and the Australian Council of Trade Unions) to guide the development of the framework. The Steering Group met for the first time in July 2006.

The Steering Group has finalised its development of the seven strategies:

• Strategy 1 - A nationally consistent legislative framework
    
• Strategy 2 - Competency support
   
• Strategy 3 - Compliance support
   
• Strategy 4 - A nationally coordinated protocol on enforcement
   
• Strategy 5 - Consistent and reliable data collection and analysis
   
• Strategy 6 - Effective consultation mechanisms 
   
• Strategy 7 - A collaborative approach to research

Consistency in approach is central to an efficient and effective strategy:

• It enhances industry confidence in a clear and unambiguous approach to mine safety issues across the nation
    
• It provides an opportunity for removing duplication of effort, thereby reducing the costs of compliance and administration at both industry and government level
   
• It provides an environment within which further innovation and improvement can be fostered collaboratively and cost-effectively.

NSWMC Position

The NMSF has made significant progress towards a nationally consistent legislative framework for the mining industry across Australia. NSWMC strongly believes that a nationally consistent framework for the mining industry will greatly promote health and safety. NSWMC strongly supports the continuation of the NMSF process to assist the industry in achieving better health and safety outcomes until such time as harmonisation occurs in the form of a single, nationally uniform law and more specific industry based guidance in regulations, codes of practice and other explanatory documentation.

The final report has been submitted to the MCMPR and COAG signed off on the recommendations at their April 2009 meeting. NSWMC is an active member of the Steering Group and its Working Parties and is awaiting the legislation drafting instructions for comment.