18Absence of site senior officer

18 Absence of site senior officer

(1)  The mine operator must make arrangements for another individual to undertake the duties of the site senior officer if the site senior officer is absent from the mine for –

(a) a significant period of time in relation to the complexity of operations at the mine, the size of those operations and the level of risk at the mine; or

(b) in any event, more than 7 continuous days during which mining operations are undertaken at the mine.

Penalty:  [Section 18 Subsection (1) amended by No. 39 of 2020, s. 19, Applied:27 Dec 2020] In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding $100 000; or

(b) an individual, a fine not exceeding $20 000.

(2)  If, at a mine where the number of hours worked is 3 000 or more per month, a site senior officer who is not the mine operator is absent for more than 14 continuous days during which mining operations are undertaken at the mine, the mine operator must advise the Chief Inspector of Mines, in writing and as soon as practicable, of –

(a) the site senior officer's absence; and

(b) the alternative arrangements put in place, or proposed to be put in place, during that absence.

Penalty:  [Section 18 Subsection (2) amended by No. 39 of 2020, s. 19, Applied:27 Dec 2020] In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding $25 000; or

(b) an individual, a fine not exceeding $5 000.