The Mining and Energy Union today announced the release of the Guardians of Mine Safety report, coinciding with a historic milestone - 150 years since worker-elected Check Inspectors were first legislated in the New South Wales coal industry.
The anniversary recognises that the Check Inspector system in coal is the world's longest continuous model of worker-elected site and industry safety representation in the world.
The new report, authored by leading Australian and international workplace safety experts, provides compelling evidence that this model continues to deliver stronger safety outcomes and should now be extended to metalliferous mining in NSW.
Introduced by legislation in 1876, Check Inspectors—elected by workers and empowered to act independently on safety—have played a critical role in improving mining safety standards for generations.
Today, they operate as Site Safety and Health Representatives (SSHRs) and Industry Safety and Health Representatives (ISHRs), maintaining oversight across mine sites, investigating hazards, and intervening when safety is at risk.
These representatives have legislated authority to stop unsafe work where necessary—an important safeguard that underpins worker confidence and accountability in high-risk coal mining environments.
The Guardians of Mine Safety report finds that this system of site and industry worker-elected safety representatives in NSW Coal represents global best practice and delivers measurable improvements in mine safety.
In contrast, the report identifies that NSW metalliferous mining, where worker-elected site and industry Check Inspectors was removed under earlier regulatory changes, experiences higher rates of serious injury, weaker hazard management systems and a culture of fear around reporting safety concerns.
It recommends that reintroducing independent, worker-elected safety representatives would strengthen oversight, improve reporting, and reduce risks across the sector, making a compelling economic case for the reform.
MEU Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams said: "Check Inspectors have been the backbone of coal mine safety for 150 years. They continue to do an outstanding job supporting safety in our coal mines, as new issues emerge."
MEU South Western District President Bob Timbs said: "This report shows exactly why the check inspector model works; and why workers in metalliferous mining deserve the same protections. As NSW extends into mining critical minerals for the future, we need to maintain our proven safety model developed in the coal industry."
The report - Guardians of Mine Safety: Worker Safety and Health Representatives in the NSW Mining Industry - was written by Professor Michael Quinlan from the University of NSW, Dr Heather Jackson from the University of NSW, Professor David Walters from Cardiff University and ex-OHS inspector David Brandie. It is the first of two reports, with the next report focusing on other Australian state jurisdictions.
