The revision of MDG 29 will be titled Guideline for the Management of Diesel Engine System Pollutants in Underground Environments, from the current Guidelines for Diesel and Operator Environment Testing in Underground Coal Mines – reflecting the new emphasis on controlling diesel particulate matter.

Mechanical engineering mine safety inspector Peter Sunol said pending availability of resources the new guidelines would be released for comment in a few months and could then be accessed via the DPI website.

Sunol said the document would focus on the generation, management and testing of gaseous emissions, diesel particulate matter, noise, vibration and heat stress. He said the main aim of the new guidelines was to “minimise risks to the health and safety of people where diesel engines are being used in the underground environment”

The practical changes to emerge from the guidelines will be all New South Wales mines will need to have a strategy to manage diesel pollutants. As per the current guidelines, they are not legislation; however, mines are required to consider the guidelines under occupational health and safety and duty of care requirements.

The guidelines have been collated “through people with appropriate expertise in the management of diesel pollutants,” Sunol said.

Once released, industry will have about one month to comment on the new guidelines and the period to publication will vary depending on industry comments received.