WHS Management for Surface Mining

Manage haul truck interaction, blast management, dust suppression, and pit wall stability across open cut mining operations.

Surface mining operations present hazards at a scale that makes every incident potentially catastrophic, with haul trucks weighing over 200 tonnes, blast patterns covering thousands of square metres, and pit walls extending hundreds of metres in height. Vehicle interaction incidents involving haul trucks remain the leading cause of surface mining fatalities in Australia, driven by the combination of massive vehicle mass, limited operator visibility, and shared road networks with light vehicles and personnel. The silica and DPM WEL changes arriving in December 2026 will affect drilling, blasting, and hauling operations across all surface mining operations. A dedicated WHS management plan ensures your open cut operation addresses vehicle interaction, blast management, atmospheric exposure, and geotechnical risks.

Key Hazards

Haul truck collision with light vehicles and personnel on mine roadsPit wall failure and bench collapse from geotechnical instabilitySilica dust from drilling, blasting, and haul road operationsBlast flyrock, blast fume, and premature detonationFalling from pit edges, bench crests, and elevated plantFatigue-related vehicle incidents on extended haul routes

Regulatory Requirements

HRCW Categories

Work involving powered mobile plant, blasting, hazardous chemical exposure

Section 26A Codes (binding 1 July 2026)

Managing Respirable Crystalline SilicaManaging Risks of Plant in the WorkplaceManaging Risks of Hazardous Chemicals

SWMS Required

Haul Truck Operation →Drilling Blasting →Open Pit Bench Management →Water Cart Dust Suppression →

Related Sectors

Quarry Coal Mining Metalliferous

Need Help with Surface Mining WHS?

We help surface mining operations develop compliant WHS management systems covering traffic management, blast management, and dust suppression programs.