Mines Regulations 2014
Programme of work
Removing age discrimination
Mining qualifications
Mining Industry Safety Leadership Group
Guidance - mining
HSE's Sector and Health priority plans
Regulating major hazards
Safety bulletin
The Mines Regulation 2014 (MR14) came into force on 6 April 2015.
MR14 is the result of a major review of health and safety mining legislation by HSE involving significant input from the mining sector. One of the key aims of the review has been to remove the unnecessary regulatory burden on business through clarification and simplification.
MR14 replaces all previous mine specific health and safety legislation, and brings together the requirements of health and safety related mining law into a single set of regulations based around major hazards within the underground mining sector. It is supported by comprehensive guidance (L149). The Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) listed below have been withdrawn and are no longer available. The ACOP covering first aid at mines (L43) remains in force.
L128 - The use of electricity in mines
COP28 - Safety of exit from mines underground workings
L42 - Shafts and winding in mines
L45 - Explosives at coal and other safety-lamp mines
L46 - The prevention of inrushes in mines
L71 - Escape and rescue from mines
L119 - The control of ground movement in mines
L145 - Control of inhalable dust in coal mines
L44 - The management and administration of safety and health in mines
Main changes
MR14 contains goal-setting requirements that focus on the control of the risks from major hazards in mines rather than the prescriptive requirements previously in place.
The principal dutyholder is now the mine operator, not the mine manager.
Duplication of requirements is removed – general health and safety regulations apply where they adequately cover hazards dealt with by previous mines legislation.
There is no longer a requirement for coal mines to participate in an approved mines rescue scheme, although there are clear requirements on all mine operators to maintain suitable rescue provision.
Competence is a clear requirement for all people working in a mine. HSE approval of qualifications and the requirement for certain post-holders in coal mines to possess a certificate of attestation of qualification has been removed.
Changes to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
MR14 makes changes to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) by removing the mine specific provisions in regulations 17 – 28 and Schedule 1 of EAWR. Equivalent protection is afforded by the remaining provisions of EAWR, alongside the provisions in, for example the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
New guidance to help mine operators, engineers and technicians to control the major hazards associated with the use of electricity in mines is now available - Electrical safety in mines – (HSG278)
Mines Regulations 2014 - Guidance on Regulations (L149)
Electrical safety in mines (HSG278)
Falls from height
The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining