Making mine safety a priority this holiday season

Making Mine Safety a Priority This Holiday Season

The NSW Resources Regulator is reminding the mining industry to prioritise safety this holiday season, urging operators to keep safety top of mind this holiday season as many sites continue running through the break.

The resources regulator said numerous mining operations continue functioning during this period, and this stretch can be stressful for workers who remain on site while others take leave.

Key Risks During the Festive Season

“We've put together a range of information about increased risk during the festive season, including risks from alcohol and other drugs, fatigue, mental health and severe weather, including heat,” the resources regulator said in a festive season safety advice.

Elevated risk during this period isn't limited to physical hazards. Fatigue, impaired judgement and extreme temperatures all contribute to workplace fatalities if left unmanaged, which makes robust safety systems essential year-round, not just during holidays.

Operators should ensure equipment inspections, hazard reporting systems and communication systems remain fully operational throughout the break, since reduced staffing levels can strain existing systems if precautions aren't taken.

Sharing Safety Messages Across the Workforce

“We encourage the industry to share safety messages with its workforce during toolbox talks, safety moments and pre-start meetings this month and into the new year.”

Toolbox talks and pre-start meetings act as informal systems for reinforcing safe behaviour, giving crews a chance to flag equipment faults or raise concerns before shifts begin. These systems work best when supervisors treat them as genuine two-way conversations rather than box-ticking exercises.

Mental Health Support for FIFO and Remote Workers

“The festive season can increase mental health issues, especially for fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) mine workers and those working at remote mine sites.”

Isolation from family and disrupted routines can weigh heavily on mental health, particularly for those stationed far from home. Employers should build mental health check-ins into existing rostering systems, ensuring struggling workers have clear channels to seek support.

Health and wellbeing initiatives shouldn't stop at physical safety. Combining health monitoring with accessible mental health resources gives operations a stronger foundation for supporting staff through demanding periods, while also protecting overall site health outcomes.

Practical Steps for Operators

Making safety a genuine priority this holiday season means taking all necessary safety precautions before reduced staffing takes effect. Consider the following:

• Review equipment maintenance schedules and confirm all critical equipment passes inspection before the break
• Test emergency communication systems and backup power systems ahead of reduced site coverage
• Brief remote and FIFO teams on mental health support systems available during the holidays
• Reinforce fatigue management systems, particularly for workers covering extended shifts
• Update severe weather monitoring systems to account for summer heat risk

Many workplace injuries are preventable when operations maintain consistent standards rather than relaxing them over the festive period. Similar reminders have gone out to other sectors — NSW construction businesses have been urged to prioritise safety this holiday season — reflecting a broader push across industries to keep safe practices consistent through the break.

Workplaces more broadly are being urged to make safety a priority this festive season, while NT workplaces have received a similar reminder to put safety first this holiday season. Mining sites carry additional equipment-related and environmental risk, making these systems even more critical.

Where to Find Support

Operators looking to strengthen their documentation can review resources such as an Electrical Safety Policy or an Electrical Safety Checklist to confirm equipment and systems meet current standards before the holiday period begins.

Clear Workplace Safety Rules also help reinforce expectations across shifts, giving both permanent staff and holiday cover a consistent reference point. For further guidance, visit our support page.

Source can be found here.