NSW set to launch high visibility campaign focused on mine safety

The NSW Resources Regulator will launch its mine safety high visibility campaign for 2026 on Monday, June 22, 2026. Inspectors will spend the following fortnight checking risk management performance across underground and open cut workings before the drive closes in early July.

The authority says the yearly two-week initiative is set to prioritise the enhancement of safety performance in both underground and surface mining environments. As part of the campaign, inspectors will undertake both announced and random inspections at various mine sites within the state.

The Regulator intends to inspect over 130 mining locations during the two-week period concluding on Friday, July 3, 2026. News of the schedule gives operators a short but valuable window to verify controls before anyone arrives at the gate.

Campaign at a glance

• Launch: Monday, June 22, 2026
• Wrap-up: Friday, July 3, 2026
• Reach: upwards of 130 locations, taking in announced plus unannounced visits
• Emphasis: lifting safety performance underground and at surface operations
• Who should prepare: site leaders, supervisors, workers and safety representatives

What inspectors will examine

Documented controls must match what actually happens at the coalface. Expect close attention to:

• Safety management systems — document control, version currency and sign-off trails
• Principal hazard management plans — supported by current, site-specific risk assessments
• Emergency management — rescue capability, drills and mutual aid arrangements
• Fatigue management — rosters, hours-of-work data and handover discipline
• Traffic management — exclusion zones, park-up areas and vehicle separation controls
• Electrical risk management — isolation, tagging and testing records
• Dust and noise exposure management — monitoring plus health surveillance

Why this news matters for mine operators

Findings from such blitzes shape enforcement priorities across the NSW resources sector, and outcomes are published so every operator can learn from them. That turns the fortnight into a management test as much as a paperwork exercise: crews need to describe the controls protecting them, while leaders need evidence that verification genuinely happens.

The news follows earlier inspection drives covering road safety and ground control. Our coverage of the annual high-visibility campaign and a successful road safety blitz shows the style of questions asked on site.

How to prepare before June 22

Use this news window wisely: a brief self-audit beats a last-minute document scramble. Work through seven steps.

1. Verify critical controls. Confirm each entry in your risk management register exists, functions and is understood by crews.
2. Refresh hazard plans. Layouts, plant, ventilation design and geotechnical conditions shift, so management documents should mirror current reality.
3. Tidy records management. Pre-start sheets, maintenance histories and inspection reports ought to be retrievable within minutes.
4. Review supplier and visitor management. Induction evidence for labour hire and service providers remains a frequent gap.
5. Close overdue corrective items. Ageing tasks in your incident management log suggest weak follow-through.
6. Brief leaders. Supervisors and management representatives should know which documents apply to their area, and where to find them quickly.
7. Allocate resources. Give teams paid time for verification work instead of expecting it after shift.

Documentation that strengthens management systems

Clear paperwork is the quickest way to demonstrate control during an unannounced visit. Templates keep management duties visible without heavy admin:

• Electrical Safety Policy — sets isolation duties and management accountability for energised plant
• Electrical Safety Checklist — field-ready verification for management walk-downs
• Workplace Safety Rules — plain expectations reinforcing site management standards
• Safety software — digital audits keep management review data live rather than buried in a filing cabinet

More mine safety news

Injury and fatality trends add useful context ahead of the blitz. Read our summary of the NSW mine safety report, then check the official news release for scope and dates. Find out more here.

Our team can help align documents with your management framework and assurance calendar — reach the SafetyDocs support desk for guidance. Follow our safety news updates for shifts in inspection focus and management expectations across the sector.