Schedule 26 position
Mine Air Quality Officer
Advise on airborne contaminants, heat and humidity and coordinate exposure monitoring.
THE LEGISLATION EXAM IN NUMBERS
- 55questions: 15 mandatory, 20 general, 20 on the Mine Air Quality Officer role
- 3 hoursin one sitting
- 80%to pass: 44 of 55
- Open bookyour own printed WHS Act and Mines Regulations, tabbed and highlighted within WorkSafe's rules
Published by WorkSafe WA (legislation examinations FAQ). The exam pass is one requirement among several; appointment to the position is a separate step by the mine operator.
APPOINTMENT
Check the role and eligibility.
Required when identified mine hazards include worker exposure to airborne contaminants, heat or humidity. Clause 4(3) specifies approved specialist training, risk training and the applicable law exam.
Read Schedule 26 clause 4 and current WorkSafe competency guidance before appointment.
A qualification, official exam pass and written mine appointment are separate things. Confirm your appointed place, functions and alternate arrangements.
WORKING INTERFACES
Who the role works with.
- Advises and reports to the mine operator, SSE or Exploration Manager.
- Coordinates with ventilation and operational personnel where responsibilities overlap.
LEGAL FUNCTIONS
What the position is responsible for.
- Advise the mine operator, SSE or Exploration Manager on reducing relevant exposures.
- Plan and conduct air-quality and contaminant monitoring according to identified exposure risks.
- Report monitoring results to those responsible for the mine.
Schedule 26 clause 4
PRACTICAL SHIFT ROUTINE
Daily prompts to adapt to your site.
- Review changed processes, weather and exposure concerns.
- Check monitoring coverage and unresolved results against the site programme.
- Record findings, affected locations and advice for control review.
PQM suggested workflow — adapt to site arrangements; not a universal daily legal frequency. Inspection timing is risk-based; these prompts are not a universal statutory daily checklist.
WHEN AN INCIDENT OCCURS
Work through the site emergency plan.
Promptly escalate suspected toxic exposure, harmful heat or atmospheric-control failures. Supply monitoring information to the emergency team and relevant manager; emergency entry and rescue follow trained site arrangements.
Open incident first actionsSOURCE & REVIEW
Read the controlling source.
Schedule 26 clause 4
- WA legislation: current WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022
- WorkSafe: demonstrating competency
- WorkSafe: emergency plan for mining operations
Overview of the role-specific functions. Other WHS duties and site procedures may also apply. Sources checked 2026-10-05. Editorial summary awaiting independent professional review. Check current law, your written appointment and site procedures.
NEXT STEP