The Surveyors Competency Advisory Committee (SCAC) team have been working closely with DEMIRS over the last few months to have the Authorisation process completed and documented. I can share some news below from Martin Ralph – Chief Inspector of Mines (see below in blue).
I can also share that guidance material has been finalised and will shortly be available online via the DEMIRS website, once this has been completed, we will post that it is available.
We will be looking at facilitating an afternoon information session at a venue that will allow people to attend in person but also join via a webinar. This information session will give a more detailed update on the Authorisation process and will allow for some Q&A. It will be open to students, educational and industry professionals and will include an opportunity after the information session to network and mingle over a drink or two.
Please share this information to those you think may be interested or may not have seen or received it. We rely heavily on our peers and connections to share this information so that no one misses out on what has been one of the biggest changes to improve our profession and the Authorisation process.
I am always available if you wish to speak one on one with, please reach out to myself or any of the other SCAC members if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Shane Watson
SCAC
Received from Martin Ralph – Chief Inspector of Mines:
- The final revision of the questions that will comprise the applicable legislation examinations for Authorised Mine Surveyor’s certificates (grade 1 and grade 2) has been completed;
- Mines Safety, via Shane Watson of SCAC will be calling for volunteers to beta-test the examinations in late February with a view to them being available in the near future;
- DEMIRS is currently exploring options to increase examination availability, and will be making an announcement on this matter shortly;
- At the request of SCAC, Mines Safety is pursuing amendments to Clauses 7 and 8 of Schedule 27 of the WHS (Mines) Regulations to require WHS Risk Management Units of Competency to be attained as part of the process of attainment of a statutory certificate for mine surveyors.
- SCAC is firm in its belief that this will align the mining surveying community with obligations placed upon other statutory position holders as outlined in Schedules 26 and 27 of the WHS (Mines) Regulations;
- In the interim period whilst the legislative amendments are being pursued, SCAC encourages candidates who are considering applying for a statutory surveying position to complete the relevant WHS Risk Management Units of Competence applicable to senior statutory position holders, which are:
- RIIRIS501E or BSBWHS513 – Risk management core unit of competency; and
- BSBWHS411 – Unit of competency to contextualise work health and safety risk for a statutory position holder; and
- RIIRIS402E or BSBWHS414 – Unit of competency to assist in risk communication.
