MEDIA RELEASE
New competency requirements for safety-critical roles in mining and quarrying have been Gazetted and will come into force on 1 January 2015.
The requirements will mean Certificate of Competence holders will have to sit additional unit standards by 1 January 2016 in order for their certificates to be valid.
WorkSafe NZ’s Chief Inspector Extractives, Tony Forster says competencies are central to managing hazards and a well-trained, competent workforce is one of the first lines of defence against a major incident in the extractives industry.
“The new requirements are set out in the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2013 and we have consulted with industry in the development of them. WorkSafe prescribes the requirements after consultation with the New Zealand Mining Board of Examiners.
“This is an important step in improving safety, and the safety culture, in our extractives industry,” Mr Forster said. “A safe extractives industry starts with making sure those managing the industry and particularly the safety-critical elements of the industry are best equipped to lead with a strong, knowledgeable and tested focus safety,” he said.
18 Dec 2014
The New Zealand Gazette with the new requirements for Certificate of Competence under the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations Regulations 2013) is attached.
What do the 2013 Extractives Certificate of Competence requirements mean?.