Mines



The Mines Regulations 2014 replaced 47 mines-specific legal instruments (32 substantive sets of regulations or orders, 13 amending instruments and two Acts dating from 1954 to 2007). Professor Löfstedt’s 2011 report Reclaiming health and safety for all: An independent review of health and safety legislation (see pages 21-23) recommended this consolidation.



The HSE publication L149 Mines Regulations 2014 Guidance on Regulations now applies.



Unions criticised exempting mines from the previously compulsory Mine Rescue Service in the event of workers being trapped underground, and changes to mine safety inspections.



The HSE microsite on mining can be accessed via the HSE website (www.hse.gov.uk/mining.