Product Overview

Summary: This Underground Ventilation Systems Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for planning, operating, monitoring and maintaining ventilation in underground workplaces. It helps Australian businesses control airborne contaminants, heat, gases and dust, while demonstrating compliance with WHS obligations and mining-specific requirements.

Effective underground ventilation is critical to life safety and legal compliance in mines, tunnels and other below-ground workplaces. Poorly designed or operated systems can allow the build-up of toxic or explosive gases, diesel particulates, welding fumes and dust, as well as excessive heat and humidity. This Underground Ventilation Systems Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step framework for safely operating primary and secondary fans, ducting, regulators, doors, auxiliary ventilation, and monitoring systems in Australian conditions.

The SOP translates complex technical and regulatory requirements into clear instructions that can be followed on shift by supervisors, operators and contractors. It covers the full lifecycle of underground ventilation management: from pre-start inspections and changes to ventilation circuits, through to managing ventilation during production activities, maintenance shutdowns, blasting cycles and emergency situations. By implementing this procedure, businesses can reduce the risk of asphyxiation, explosion, heat stress and long-term respiratory illness, while also supporting consistent production and defensible compliance with WHS and mining legislation across all underground operations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, safe operation of underground ventilation systems across all shifts and crews.
• Reduce the risk of gas build-up, dust exposure, heat stress and oxygen deficiency incidents underground.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS and mining legislation through documented, repeatable processes.
• Standardise communication and authorisation for ventilation changes, isolations and reconfigurations.
• Support effective training and competency assessment for ventilation officers, supervisors and contractors.

Who is this for?

• Underground Mine Managers
• Underground Ventilation Officers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Underground Shift Supervisors
• Underground Electrical and Mechanical Supervisors
• Ventilation Technicians and Engineers
• Underground Production Supervisors
• Contractor Managers working in underground environments
• Maintenance Planners (Underground Operations)
• Project Engineers (Tunnelling and Underground Construction)

Hazards Addressed

• Accumulation of toxic gases (e.g. carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulphide).
• Build-up of explosive or flammable atmospheres (e.g. methane, combustible dust).
• Oxygen-deficient atmospheres in headings, declines and dead-ends.
• Exposure to diesel particulate matter and exhaust fumes from underground mobile plant.
• Exposure to respirable crystalline silica and other hazardous dusts.
• Heat stress and thermal discomfort due to inadequate air flow or high rock temperatures.
• Ventilation system failures, fan stoppages and unplanned loss of airflow.
• Uncontrolled changes to ventilation circuits (doors, stoppings, regulators) impacting air quality.
• Noise hazards associated with large fans and ventilation equipment.
• Electrical hazards during operation and maintenance of ventilation fans and controls.
• Manual handling risks when installing or moving ducting, fans and regulators.

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (Ventilation, Primary/Secondary Fans, Aux Fans, Regulators, Stoppings)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Site-Specific Requirements
• 5.0 Description of Underground Ventilation System and Components
• 6.0 Pre-Start Inspections and System Readiness Checks
• 7.0 Safe Operating Procedure for Primary and Secondary Fans
• 8.0 Operation of Auxiliary Fans, Ducting and Local Ventilation
• 9.0 Ventilation Control Devices (Doors, Regulators, Stoppings and Bulkheads)
• 10.0 Ventilation Monitoring, Gas Testing and Airflow Measurements
• 11.0 Managing Ventilation During Production Activities (Drilling, Charging, Loading and Hauling)
• 12.0 Ventilation Requirements for Blasting, Re-Entry and Post-Blast Clearance
• 13.0 Heat, Humidity and Dust Control Measures
• 14.0 Change Management for Ventilation Circuits and System Modifications
• 15.0 Isolation, Lockout and Tagout for Ventilation Equipment
• 16.0 Maintenance, Inspection and Testing of Fans, Ducts and Controls
• 17.0 Emergency Procedures for Ventilation Failure, Fire, Gas Events and Evacuation
• 18.0 Communication, Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Competency Assessment
• 20.0 Audit, Review and Continuous Improvement of the Ventilation SOP

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 – Part 4.3 Mines and Petroleum Sites (as adopted in relevant jurisdictions)
• Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2014 (NSW) or equivalent mining-specific regulations in other states
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Confined Spaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities
• AS 2290.3: Electrical equipment for coal mines – Introduction, inspection and maintenance – Ventilation equipment (where applicable)
• AS 4368: Mine plans – Preparation and symbols (for ventilation plans and diagrams)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 60079 series: Explosive atmospheres (for hazardous area equipment associated with ventilation systems)
• Relevant state and territory mining codes and guidelines on mine ventilation (e.g. NSW Resources Regulator, QLD Resources Safety & Health)