This page includes resources for workplaces in the Mining industry on work health and safety, workers’ compensation and COVID-19.
The Mining industry extracts and processes naturally occurring mineral solids, liquid minerals and gases to produce a marketable product.
This includes:
- coal mining, both underground and open cut
- oil and gas extraction
- metal ore mining
- non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying including construction material mining
- exploration, and
- other mining support services.
Workplaces may include underground mines, surface mines, quarries, offshore platforms and rigs, and processing plants and facilities. Mining workers may fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) or drive-in-drive-out (DIDO) to mine sites in remote areas. Information for FIFO and DIDO workers can be found on the FIFO and DIDO page.
To ensure this information is as accessible and easy to understand as possible, we refer to ‘employers’ and their responsibilities.
However, under the model WHS laws, duties apply to any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) which includes employers, but also others who engage workers. For more information about who is a PCBU see our Interpretive Guideline – model Work Health and Safety Act – the meaning of ‘person conducting a business or undertaking'.
The model WHS laws have been implemented in all jurisdictions except Victoria.
Safe Work Australia does not regulate or enforce WHS laws or the recently introduced COVID-19 restrictions on business operations. If you want to know how WHS laws apply to you or need help with what to do at your workplace, contact the WHS regulator in your jurisdiction. If you want to know what restrictions on business operations apply to you or your workplace, go to your relevant state and territory government website for information.