(1) The provisions of this section apply in addition to the provisions of Subdivision 2.
(2) The mine operator of an underground coal mine must ensure the following—
(a) a main ventilation fan used at the mine is not located underground,
(b) the volume of air passing through each area at which longwall mining operations are taking place must not be less than 4m3 per second for each metre of extracted height,
(c) the volume of air passing through the area in which mining operations are taking place using a continuous miner must not be less than 0.3m3 per second for each square metre of the average cross sectional area of the roadway in which the continuous miner is operating,
(d) the percentage by volume of methane in the general body of the air is no greater than 0.25% at any point on the intake side that is 100m outbye of—
(i) the most inbye completed line of cut-throughs, or
(ii) any longwall or shortwall face, but only to the extent the intake airway is on the intake side of that face, but not if the longwall face is an installation face at which the development of the face, and mining for development coal, have been completed and at which longwall mining has yet to commence,
(e) the ventilation control plan for the mine specifies the minimum quantity of ventilated air required for each part of the mine for power to continue to be supplied to the part of the mine,
(f) if the minimum quantity specified in the ventilation control plan is not supplied to a part of the mine, arrangements are in place to ensure—
(i) immediate action is taken to supply ventilated air to the part of the mine to above the minimum quantity as soon as possible, and
(ii) the supply of power to electrical plant, other than electrical plant referred to in section 81(2), is cut off by the quickest means available and will not be restored before the supply of ventilated air is above the minimum quantity,
(g) an auxiliary fan used at the mine is switched off by the quickest means available if the main ventilation system fails,
(h) the mine has a procedure in place for using the following fans as part of the mine’s ventilation system—
(i) auxiliary fans, including auxiliary fans used for degassing places where methane has accumulated,
(ii) booster fans,
(iii) scrubber fans,
(i) an effective airlock is provided and maintained at each shaft or outlet that is—
(i) used for winding or for the transport of persons or materials, and
(ii) connected to the main return of the mine,
(j) every main ventilation fan has—
(i) a pressure gauge showing the pressure at all times, and
(ii) a device that indicates at all times, and records, the volume of air passing through the fan,
(k) each fan installed on the surface, and each booster fan installed below ground, at the mine as part of its ventilation system is fitted with 1 or more devices that—
(i) continuously monitor the working condition of the fan, including its static pressure, and
(ii) trigger a visible alarm if there is a significant departure from the fan’s normal operating parameters, and
(iii) record the date and time that an alarm is triggered or the power supply shut off, and
(iv) display the results of the monitoring and the visible alarm in a place that is easily accessible by a person whose tasks include checking the condition of the fan.
(3) The mine operator of an underground coal mine must ensure, in part of the mine where persons work and travel and where one or more diesel engines are in operation, the ventilation system provides an average volume of air measured across the work or travel area of—
(a) if the design of each of the engines is registered under the WHS Regulations, Part 5.3 and a volume of air is specified for the engine under the registration—the greater of—
(i) the total volume of air so specified, or
(ii) 3.5m3 per second, or
(b) otherwise—the greater of—
(i) 0.06m3 per second for each kilowatt of the total maximum output of the engines, or
(ii) 3.5m3 per second.
Maximum penalty—
(a) for an individual—60 penalty units, or
(b) for a body corporate—300 penalty units.
(4) The mine operator of an underground coal mine must ensure the effectiveness of the ventilation system and the ventilation control plan for the mine are audited at least once every 12 months by an individual nominated to exercise the statutory function of ventilation auditor at the mine.
Maximum penalty—
(a) for an individual—60 penalty units, or
(b) for a body corporate—300 penalty units.
(5) The individual conducting the audit under subsection (4) must, as soon as reasonably practicable after completing the audit, provide a report to the mine operator that sets out in detail—
(a) whether or not the ventilation system is being implemented in accordance with the ventilation control plan, and
(b) whether or not the ventilation system is achieving the objectives set by the ventilation control plan for the ventilation system, and
(c) how effective the system is in meeting the objectives of the ventilation control plan.
(6) The mine operator of an underground coal mine must ensure the ventilation plan required under section 67 is reviewed and revised at least once a month and at other times as necessary.