RSHQ Regulatory Priorities and Outcomes

Our regulatory approach will be targeted and risk-based, focusing our efforts where it will have the greatest impact.  This includes setting clear expectations, engaging proactively and regularly with stakeholders, and applying the full suite of compliance tools, including education. Resources will be strategically allocated to address the highest risks and drive measurable improvements in safety and health outcomes.

We deliberately measure our success by the outcomes we achieve rather than the volume of activity we undertake. This includes demonstrating improvements in safety and health performance, reductions in incidents and injuries, and the effective mitigation or elimination of risks and hazards. We also assess our impact through the resolution of systemic issues and reductions in serious incidents and non-compliance. By maintaining a clear focus on outcomes, we ensure that our work delivers meaningful and lasting improvements for workers, industry and the community.

RSHQ will review the regulatory priorities and outcomes at least annually.

COAL MINES, MINERAL MINES AND QUARRIES, PETROLEUM AND GAS

Rationale

In 2025-26, RSHQ undertook a campaign to better understand how psychosocial risks are managed across the Queensland resources industry. The campaign generated valuable insights and observations, along with a set of recommendations to support RSHQ in continuing to assist industry in the effective management of psychosocial risk.

RSHQ actions

Campaign to action recommendations from the 2025 psychosocial audit campaign, including to:

• publish  further information and guidance about psychosocial risk management
• deliver targeted education and engagement activities to improve psychosocial risk management capability
• enhance RSHQ’s risk-based triage approach for reports of psychosocial incidents
• provide clearer guidance on psychosocial incident reporting requirements
• continue work to enable confidential reporting of psychosocial incidents through the RSHQ Portal
• continue joint activities and initiatives with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, particularly for off-site accommodation facilities.

Outcomes

• Positive shift in psychosocial risk management practices
• Increase in worker and industry reporting
• Increased understanding about psychosocial risk management

COAL MINES, MINERAL MINES AND QUARRIES, PETROLEUM AND GAS

Rationale

In 2024, RSHQ undertook a fatigue-focused review that provided deeper insight, highlighting the complex nature and impact of fatigue, and identifying findings that would benefit from further consideration such as risk exposure, incident data, regulatory frameworks, and industry practices.

RSHQ actions

• A risk-based audit campaign aimed at assessing current fatigue risk management practices
• Improve RSHQ reporting systems and share guidance about best-practice fatigue incident reporting
• Through engagement, assess the application of guidance materials in risk management practices

Outcomes

• Establish baseline understanding of fatigue risk management
• Improvement in industry reporting of fatigue incidents
• Improvement to RSHQ’s fatigue incident data

COAL MINES, MINERAL MINES AND QUARRIES

Rationale

Vehicle collisions are a leading contributor to serious accidents and high‑potential incidents in Queensland’s resources sector, with systemic control weaknesses observed across sites. A collision involving a vehicle and a worker, or between heavy and light vehicles, has the potential to result in multiple fatalities. Vehicle collisions have resulted in 2 recent fatalities.

COAL MINES, MINERAL MINES AND QUARRIES

Rationale

Misfires remain a persistent, high‑consequence hazard with ongoing incident trends and potential for serious harm.

RSHQ actions

Targeted campaign including:

• inspections and audits
• industry engagements
• final report that shares learnings, findings and recommendations.

Outcomes

• Increased awareness and understanding of misfire prevention controls
• Verified implementation and effectiveness of misfire prevention controls
• Reduction in the frequency and severity of explosive misfires

COAL MINES, MINERAL MINES AND QUARRIES

Rationale

Interactions between mobile equipment and explosives present a credible high‑potential risk of unplanned initiation and serious harm.

RSHQ actions

Targeted campaign including:

• inspections and audits
• industry engagements
• final report that shares learnings, findings and recommendations.

Outcomes

• Verified implementation and effectiveness of controls to prevent vehicle interactions
• Increased industry awareness and understanding of vehicle interaction risks and controls
• Reduction in reported mobile equipment interaction incidents

COAL MINES

Rationale

Strata is a principal hazard. An increase in place change mining has increased the risk of strata failure. Strata failure remains one of the leading causes of underground coal mining fatalities.

RSHQ actions

• A data review of reported incidents
• A targeted audit of principal hazard management plans
• Update Recognised Standard 12 – Place change in mining operations
• Share learnings and leading practice through a dedicated forum

Outcomes

Improved strata design and reduction of strata failure in place change at underground coal mines.

COAL MINES

Rationale

Polymeric chemical fires present both fire and gas ignition risks and were identified as a potential cause in the Grosvenor Coal Mine gas ignition incident, where five coal mine workers received significant burns.

RSHQ actions

Publish Recognised Standard 16 – The use and control of polymeric chemicals at underground coal mines (Version 3).

Outcomes

Increase of industry’s capability to prevent polymeric chemical fires and reduce associated risks to coal miners.

COAL MINES

Rationale

Previous audits, compliance activities and other evidence suggests potential variability in the quality and consistency of health assessments conducted under the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme (CMWHS). In particular, clinical decision-making processes by doctors. Any gaps may present risks to worker safety and health outcomes, highlighting the need for a structured evaluation of assessment quality, consistency and reliability.

RSHQ actions

Campaign involving a review of health assessment decision-making under the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme, including Mine Dust Lung Disease clinical pathway guideline alignment, work restriction appropriateness, telehealth and nurse-supported assessment practices, and COPD causality decisions.

Outcomes

• Improved alignment and consistency with standards of practice, and quality in doctor decision‑making
• Early detection of occupational lung diseases and impacts on workers’ health
• Improved accuracy of exposure risk profiles to inform efforts to improve prevention controls

MINERAL MINES AND QUARRIES

Rationale

Vehicle and mobile plant fires continue to occur as high‑potential incidents across the sector, with recurring systemic causes such as fuel, hydraulic and electrical failures indicating partially effective controls.

RSHQ actions

Targeted campaign including:

• inspections and audits
• industry engagements
• final report that shares learnings, findings and recommendations.

Outcomes

• Reduction in vehicle and mobile plant fire incidents and fire related high potential incidents
• Improved effectiveness of vehicle fire controls observed during inspections
• Increased industry awareness of vehicle fire risks and preventative controls

MINERAL MINES AND QUARRIES

Rationale

Exposure to inorganic minerals represents a persistent and systemic risk across the sector, with recurring exceedances, particularly for lead and silica, highlighting ineffective controls.

RSHQ actions

Targeted campaign including:

• inspections and audits
• industry engagements
• final report that shares learnings, findings and recommendations.

Outcomes

• Reduction in exceedances related to inorganic mineral exposure
• Improved effectiveness of exposure controls, including dust suppression, ventilation and PPE/RPE programs
• Improved implementation and use of exposure monitoring programs
• Increased industry awareness and understanding of inorganic mineral exposure risks

PETROLEUM AND GAS

Rationale

RSHQ has observed that while hand injury frequency rates remain stable, the severity of injury to workers is increasing.

RSHQ actions

• Targeted engagement campaign, in partnership with Safer Together
• Publish education and guidance material

Outcomes

Enhanced industry focus on elimination of hand injuries via system design, supported by behavioural awareness.

PETROLEUM AND GAS

Rationale

In response to Safety Management System audits on wells, gathering systems, facilities, pipelines, distribution systems, biogas and fuel gas delivery networks, RSHQ has observed a positive industry response, including an increase in integrity notifications.

RSHQ actions

• Continue focused audit program on key areas, including pipeline corrosion, gathering system purging, facility critical controls, vessel integrity and assessment of integrity management systems
• Review of safety requirements including Australian Standards and Codes of Practices

Outcomes

• Enhanced integrity across the sector
• Improved practices in construction and abandonment of wells, gathering systems and pipelines
• Increased industry focus on critical controls
• Improved public safety and security of supply to consumers
• Elevated safety standards for workers

PETROLEUM AND GAS

Rationale

Leadership commitment is a primary driver of safety within the resources industry. RSHQ sees value in prioritising efforts to enhance this principle across the petroleum and gas sector.

RSHQ actions

Outcomes

EXPLOSIVES INDUSTRY

Rationale

Unauthorised access to explosives presents a critical security and safety risk with potential for misuse, theft or diversion.

RSHQ actions

Targeted campaign including:

• inspections and audits
• industry engagements
• final report that shares learnings, findings and recommendations.

Outcomes

• Demonstrated improvement in the effectiveness of security controls
• Improved detection of discrepancies through strengthened systems, monitoring, and reporting processes