Last reviewed: October 2026
Who needs one?
Under the Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 (WA), the mine operator must establish and implement a mine safety management system (MSMS) for the mine. According to WorkSafe WA, this obligation also applies to exploration operations.
What it needs to cover
WorkSafe WA describes the MSMS as covering the whole life of the mine — planning, design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance and closure. It needs to include:
- the policies, systems, procedures and plans for operating the mine safely
- specific and general control measures (for example plant, workings and air quality)
- how the effectiveness of critical controls will be monitored
- performance standards for measuring how well the system is working
- a system for auditing against those performance standards, and for review
When it must be reviewed
WorkSafe WA guidance sets out that the MSMS should be reviewed:
- within 12 months of a new mine starting operations
- at least every three years
- after a notifiable or reportable incident
- when an audit shows a control is not effective
- when there is a significant change at the mine
Where principal mining hazards fit
Principal mining hazards — the hazards with a reasonable potential to cause fatalities — need their own principal mining hazard management plans, which form part of the overall system. See our PMHMP guide.
Practical tips
- Build the system around how the mine actually operates, not a generic template.
- Make sure critical controls have someone responsible for checking them, and a record that they were checked.
- Keep it maintainable — a smaller system that is used beats a large one that is not.
- Use WorkSafe WA's Mine safety management system: Code of practice as your benchmark.
Need help building or reviewing an MSMS? See Mine safety management systems or talk to Chris.
Official sources
This guide is general information about Western Australian requirements as published by WorkSafe WA at the time of review. It is not legal advice. Always check the current legislation, codes of practice and guidance for your circumstances.