Queensland’s independent resources safety and health regulator

The Resources Safety and Health Queensland Bill 2019 (the Bill) passed in Queensland Parliament on the 17 March 2020.

The passing of the Bill clears the way for the new regulatory authority, which is expected to commence on 1 July 2020, as a separate body with its entire focus on the safety and health of Queensland’s resources workers.

RSHQ will be fully independent from the government’s broader function of growing and facilitating the resources sector, and delivers on a key recommendation from the Black Lung, White Lies Parliamentary Select Committee report.

The Bill establishes:

• Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) as a statutory body
• the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), reporting to the responsible Minister
• an independent Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health with oversight across the resource sector
• the ability of the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Prosecutor to bring proceedings for offences committed against the resources safety Acts

What happens next

The Bill passed parliament on 17 March 2020, and the RSHQ is expected to commence on 1 July 2020.

The CEO and Commissioner roles will be appointed in due course.

What will change

Prior to 1 July 2020, the activities of the inspectorates for mines, explosives, petroleum and gas; occupational hygiene and health; and the safety in mines testing and research station (Simtars) units will remain the same.

After commencement you will notice changes to the look of some documents, and how web content is presented.

The way you interact with RSHQ will remain the same, as the resources safety legislation framework remains largely unchanged with regards to operational activities.

Find out more

• Follow Mining Queensland social media for the latest Facebook Twitter LinkedIn.
• If you have a question about RSHQ email our RSHQ program office.
• Learn about our other current resources safety initiatives.

The Resources Safety and Health Queensland Act 2020 commences 1 July 2020. The Act establishes a new regulatory authority for Queensland’s resources sector.

Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ) is solely focused on the safety and health of resources workers, and is independent from the government’s broader function of growing and facilitating the resources sector.

The establishment of the independent safety and health regulator for Queensland mines, quarries, and petroleum and gas industries also delivers on a key recommendation from the Black Lung, White Lies (PDF) Parliamentary Select Committee report.

The Act establishes:

• Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) as a statutory body
• the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), reporting to the responsible Minister
• an independent Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health with oversight across the resource sector
• the ability of the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Prosecutor to bring proceedings for offences committed against the resources safety Acts.

Looking forward

RSHQ commences operations on 1 July 2020.

The activities of the inspectorates for mines, quarries, explosives, petroleum and gas, occupational hygiene and health, and the safety in mines testing and research station (Simtars) units will remain the same.

You will notice changes to the look of some documents, our communications, and how web content is presented.

However the way you interact with RSHQ will remain the same, as the resources safety legislation framework remains largely unchanged with regards to operational activities.

Find out more

• For the latest news, follow Resources Safety & Health Queensland on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
• If you have a question about RSHQ email our RSHQ program office.
• Visit the RSHQ website.