Safety, regulation and the Mines Inspectorate: Lessons from Western Australia

Neil Gunningham*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    8 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This article examines the role of mining regulation and its enforcement, principally in Western Australia. It identifies a series of substantial deficiencies in current practices, including: the extent to which the Department of Industry and Resources (DoIR) inspectors rely on detailed prescriptive requirements to the detriment of performance and systems-based approaches; the extent to which the DoIR audit process fails to monitor adequately the effectiveness of OHS management systems; the extent to which DoIR inspectors fail to consult adequately with worker representatives; and a failure of enforcement coupled with a risk that the Inspectorate has become too close to the industry it is responsible for regulating. It concludes with some broader reflections concerning best regulatory practice, and raises some practical issues concerning the lack of adequate regulatory resources.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)299-309
    Number of pages11
    JournalJournal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand
    Volume21
    Issue number4
    Publication statusPublished - 2005

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