Site Senior Executive Examination

*NEW* Presentation on SSE coal mining legislation examination by Gavin Taylor, Chair of Board of Examiners and Chief Inspector of Coal Mines 4/5/10 August 2009 (PDF, 74Kb)

PLEASE READ THIS SUMMARY AND THE EXAMINATION EXEMPTION GUIDELINE CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING TO THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS

From 31 March 2009 all persons appointed as a Site Senior Executive (SSE) under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 must demonstrate to the Board of Examiners their knowledge of the current Queensland coal mining legislation by undertaking a written examination ("the SSE examination") before appointment to the role. Holding a Notice from the Board of Examiners will be a pre-requisite to taking up duties as a SSE.  This includes "acting" as a SSE.

Some applicants will be eligible for exemption from sitting the SSE examination. Some applicants will be eligible for an extension of the timeframe to complete the SSE examination from 30 November 2009 to 6 May 2010.

By 30 November 2009 all persons appointed to a SSE role must either:

(a) hold a Notice from the Board of Examiners that they have successfully demonstrated to the Board their knowledge of Queensland coal mining legislation by undertaking a written examination on the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001 ("the current legislation"); or
(b) hold a Notice from the Board of Examiners that they are exempt from sitting the SSE examination; or
(c) hold advice from the Board of Examiners that they are eligible for an extension to 6 May 2010 to successfully pass the SSE examination.

The SSE examination will be a 3 hour "closed book" 6-part examination on the content of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and subordinate legislation as follows:

• Topic 1 covers the preliminary Section of the Act
• Topic 2 covers control and management of risk
• Topic 3 covers provisions about the operations of coal mines
• Topic 4 covers SSHR and ISHR
• Topic 5 covers inspectors and inspection officers
• Topic 6 covers miscellaneous parts of the Act and Chapter 2 parts 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001.

The pass rate for the SSE examination is 70% in each section of the examination.

To be eligible for exemption from the SSE examination an applicant must have previously successfully completed a written examination on the current legislation.

Persons holding a Queensland certificate of competency (or letter of registration by mutual recognition) obtained after passing a written examination on the current legislation are exempt from undertaking the SSE examination but must lodge an application by 30 November 2009.

Persons holding a Queensland certificate of competency (or letter of registration by mutual recognition) obtained without undertaking a written examination on the current legislation must undertake the SSE examination. These persons will be granted an extension to 6 May 2010 to successfully complete the SSE examination provided an application is lodged before 30 November 2009.

All other applicants must successfully complete the SSE examination by 30 November 2009.

All applicants (exempt and non-exempt) must lodge an application for assessment before 30 November 2009.

Examination exemption guide (PDF, 26Kb) Note: Refer to this Table to determine (a) whether you have to undertake the SSE examination and (b) if you are eligible for an extension. The table is a guide only. Applicants must complete the declaration in the application form if they have previously passed a written examination on the current legislation.

Application Flowchart (PDF, 18Kb)

SSE Application Form (PDF, 152kb) This form may be completed electronically. Note: It is emphasised that applications should be lodged as early as possible. If an applicant fails a first attempt at the examination and have to be allocated to second examination, it is essential that this achieved before 30 November 2009 or 6 May 2010 (as applicable).

The application form incorporates:
1. the process for applying for and obtaining a Notice from the Board of Examiners
2. instructions for completing the application form
3. a checklist to assist applicants in ensuring all required documentation is lodged with the application

Link to Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001  www.legislation.qld.gov.au