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Ventilation Management SWMS

Ventilation is the primary engineering control for atmospheric contaminants in underground mining, responsible for diluting and removing diesel particulate matter, blast fume, silica dust, methane, and other gases while maintaining adequate oxygen levels and controlling heat stress. The introduction of Australia's first DPM WEL at 0.1 mg/m3 and the nitrogen dioxide reduction to 0.5 ppm will directly challenge underground ventilation systems because both limits are significantly more restrictive than previous guidance values, requiring higher air volumes or cleaner diesel engines to achieve compliance. Ventilation system failures can create immediately dangerous atmospheres in underground workings. This SWMS covers primary and auxiliary fan operation, ductwork maintenance, and atmospheric monitoring.

Legal Requirements

regulation

WHS Regulation 2025 Part 8A — WEL; State mining legislation — ventilation management plans

hrcw category

Underground mining, hazardous atmosphere management

code of practice

Confined Spaces; Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals (binding July 2026 under Section 26A)

section 26a binding

Yes — Multiple codes binding July 2026. State ventilation management requirements apply.

Hazards

Hazard	Consequence	Likelihood
Ventilation system failure causing contaminant accumulation in workings	Asphyxiation, toxic gas exposure, multiple fatalities	Unlikely
DPM accumulation in poorly ventilated areas exceeding the new 0.1 mg/m³ WEL	Lung cancer, cardiovascular disease	Likely
Heat stress from inadequate ventilation in deep or poorly cooled workings	Heat stroke, collapse, fatality	Possible
Fan blade failure and housing structural failure during operation	Projectile injuries, structural damage	Unlikely
Working at height during fan and ductwork installation and maintenance	Fatal falls, fractures	Possible

Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)

Design ventilation system to achieve contaminant dilution below all applicable WELs at all working faces

Install real-time atmospheric monitoring stations at key locations throughout the ventilation circuit

Implement ventilation survey program measuring air quantities at defined control points monthly

Maintain auxiliary ventilation ducting to minimise leakage — maximum 20% leakage over duct length

Install backup power supply for primary ventilation fans to prevent ventilation loss during power outage

Conduct fan vibration monitoring and preventive maintenance per manufacturer schedule

Implement trigger action response plan for atmospheric exceedances requiring withdrawal and investigation

Recent Prosecutions

Ventilation failure — underground metalliferous mine Queensland$420,000

Multiple workers were exposed to elevated DPM and NO2 after a primary ventilation fan tripped and the backup system failed to start automatically. Workers were not withdrawn for 45 minutes because real-time atmospheric monitoring was not installed.

2024 — Resources Safety and Health Queensland Prosecution Database

What Your SWMS Must Include

✓Ventilation design showing required air quantities at each working area to achieve WEL compliance

✓Real-time atmospheric monitoring station locations and alarm trigger levels

✓Ventilation survey schedule and control point measurement frequency

✓Fan failure response procedure including automatic withdrawal triggers and backup systems

✓Trigger action response plan for atmospheric exceedances with defined response actions

Need a compliant Ventilation Management SWMS?

Our mining ventilation specialists develop ventilation SWMS with atmospheric monitoring designs, fan management procedures, and WEL compliance verification programs.