Appraisal of tips
61.—(1) The mine operator shall ensure that—
(a)a suitable appraisal of all existing or proposed tips at the mine is undertaken by a competent person in order to determine whether any such tip is or, in the case of a proposed tip, would be, a significant hazard;
(b)any significant findings made during the appraisal are recorded; and
(c)the record is made available to each employer of persons at the mine.
(2) Where the person undertaking the appraisal concludes that the tip presents no significant hazard, the mine operator shall ensure that a competent person carries out further appraisals—
(a)at appropriate intervals;
(b)whenever there is any reason to suspect that there has been or will be a significant change to—
(i)the matters to which the appraisal relates; or
(ii)any neighbouring land which may be affected by movement by or instability of the tip to which the appraisal relates; and
(c)whenever there is any reason to doubt the validity of the conclusion of the current appraisal.
(3) Where the person undertaking the appraisal concludes that the tip represents a significant hazard, the mine operator shall ensure that a geotechnical assessment is carried out in accordance with the requirements of regulation 62 as soon as is reasonably practicable.