Escape and Rescue from Mines Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999

Emergency plan

4.—(1) The manager of every mine shall prepare and maintain a written plan (in these Regulations referred to as an “emergency plan”) setting out the action to be taken to effect safely and promptly the evacuation and rescue of persons from the mine should an emergency situation occur.

(2) In preparing an emergency plan the manager shall have regard to any relevant risk assessment made in accordance with regulation 3 of the 1992 Regulations.

(3) The manager shall make a thorough review of the emergency plan—

(a) whenever—

(i) there is reason to suspect that the emergency plan is no longer appropriate;

(ii) there has been a significant change either in the matters to which the emergency plan relates, or in the ownership or operation of the mine;

(iii) the risk assessment referred to in paragraph (2) is reviewed; or

(iv) the plan has been put into action; and

(b) in any event at least once every twelve months.

(4) Where as a result of any such review any change to the emergency plan or to the action to be taken under it is required the manager shall make such change and shall keep a record of any action taken as a result.

(5) The manager shall—

(a) ensure that the appropriate action set out in the emergency plan is taken should an emergency situation occur; and

(b) keep, readily available at the mine, a sufficient number of copies of the emergency plan as amended from time to time.