Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Mines Act 1958 - SECT 417

Action to be taken on occurrence of mining accidents

417. Action to be taken on occurrence of mining accidents



(1) The mine manager of a mine shall on the occurrence of-

   (a)  an accident attended with loss of life or serious injury to a person
        employed in or about the mine; or

   (b)  an accident, whether above or below ground, in relation to a mine and
        connected with-

   (i)  the winding arrangements of the mine;

   (ii) the transportation, handling, charging or firing of explosives;

   (iii) a collapse of the ground; or

   (iv) the treatment plant or the works or buildings associated with the
        mine- and attended with injury that incapacitates a person from work
        for a period of at least three days or which on its occurrence may
        reasonably be expected so to incapacitate a person or cause loss of
        life- forthwith enter full particulars of the accident in a record
        book kept by the mine manager for that purpose or for the purposes of
        the mine, and give notice of the accident to an inspector of mines.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) accident attended with
serious injury to any person means an accident which incapacitates such person
from work for a period of at least seven days or which on its occurrence may
reasonably be expected so to do.

(3) Any mining manager who omits to make such record or to give such notice
shall be guilty of an offence against this Division.

(4) Any portion of a mine where an accident occurs attended with loss of life
or with serious injury to any person shall not except with a view of saving
life or preventing further injury be interfered with until inspected by an
inspector of mines and also by the coroner's jury or any workmen appointed for
inspection of the mine pursuant to the general regulations under Subdivision 2
of Division two of this Part if such jury or workmen consider an inspection
necessary for ascertaining the cause of the accident.

(5) If deemed necessary by the Minister a public inquiry shall be held to
ascertain the cause of any accident within this section.