On the 30 April, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Mines) Regulations 2018 came into force in the Republic. The Regulations were officially launched at Tara Mines in Navan on the 30 May by Pat Breen TD, a Minister of State at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
Minister Breen said “I am very pleased to officially launch these new regulations with miners and mine management present. This is an important moment for all of the mining industry. In revoking and replacing the old legislation, some of which dated back to the 1960s, we have delivered a modern, simplified and consolidated statutory instrument that will make compliance much easier“.
Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector of Mines and Quarries with the Health and Safety Authority added “Safety and health standards at the Irish underground mining industry have generally improved over time with significant reductions in lost time accidents. We believe that these consolidated regulations will simplify compliance for existing and indeed future prospective mining operations“.
Former IMQS President Brendan Morris who attended the launch of the new regulations also welcomed the initiative, noting that IMQS has been a long-term participant in Safety Partnerships for mines and quarries.
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