DPI Update (Issue 34)

By on August 5, 2007

“History of Victorian Quarries” – Presentation at the CMPA Annual Dinner

Early Quarries

  • Ropes over the face were used to support drillers with jack hammers
  • Shot rock was transported to the crushing plant by road or rail
  • Bucket elevator transporting material from the crusher to the trommel screen
  • Operator would stand on the buckets and ride up to the trommel screen

1966—Extractive Industries Act 1966

  • Extractive Industries Board
  • Looked at resource, amenity and environment, quarry development
  • Councils, Vic Roads and quarries on “reserved forest” were exempt from the Act
  • Shortcomings:
    • Multiple licences and leases
    • No level playing field
    • Planning restrictions

1989—Extractive Industries Regulations 1989

  • Prescriptive
  • Managers duties
  • Safety
  • Plant, machinery, vehicles and buildings
  • Explosives
  • Electricity

1995—Extractive Industries Development Act 1995

  • Limited Exemptions
  • No OHS provisions
  • Work Authority
    • Landowner’s consent
    • Planning permit
    • Approved work plan
    • Rehabilitation bond
    • Public liability
  • Minister is a referral authority
  • Act to be reviewed this year

2000—Managing Health & Safety for Quarries

  • Proactive auditing program
  • Targeted (blitz) audit program
    • Focus in high risk and poor compliance areas, not only OHS
    • Improved inspector visibility and industry awareness
    • Mobile equipment blitz
    • Guarding
    • Dust and noise
    • Tailings Storage facilities

2005—National Mine Safety Framework

  • NMSF Steering Group is currently progressing three strategies
    • Legislation
    • Consultation
    • Data
  • Legislation
    • Working on a set of overarching principles for legislation
  • Data
    • Data working group was convened to develop a national data set
  • Consultation
    • Paper on consultation is currently under review by working group

2007—NMSF Public Consultation

  • Launch in Melbourne
  • NMSF Steering Group will review comments
  • MCMPR approve strategies and implementation plan
  • Implementation of strategies may involve changes to legislation

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