Checked 31 October 2026. RSHQ says open cut examiners now sit the legislation exam online, with a technical exam introduced in November 2026. Requirements as in the Board of Examiners Open Cut Examiner checklist and RSHQ's coal mining competencies (updated 26 May 2026), read on 31 October 2026; Act current as at 1 July 2026, Regulation as at 1 September 2026.
Every surface mine excavation at a Queensland coal mine needs an open-cut examiner (OCE), and the site senior executive must appoint someone holding an open-cut examiner's certificate of competency and a practising certificate (Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, s 59(1)). The Board of Examiners asks for 3 years' experience with set months on truck/shovel, dragline and blasting work, a Certificate IV and units, then a legislation exam, which RSHQ says OCE candidates now sit online, and an oral. This guide covers each requirement, the duties the Regulation gives an OCE, and how to prepare.
ProSyllabus is an independent study site. It is not part of Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) or the Board of Examiners, and our practice questions are written by us, not taken from any Board of Examiners exam.
RSHQ Board of Examiners application checklist, Open Cut Examiner; RSHQ, Certificates of competency (updated 29 Oct 2026) and Examinations (28 Oct 2026), read 31 Oct 2026.
What the open-cut examiner does under the law
The Act makes the appointment; Chapter 3, Part 2 of the Regulation (surface mine manager and open-cut examiner) sets out the job. Some of these duties fall on the OCE, and some on the SSE or the coal mine operator, as the table shows.
| Rule | Section | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| SSE: must appoint an OCE holding the certificate and practising certificate for each surface mine excavation | Act s 59(1) | 200 penalty units |
| Coal mine operator: must ensure the OCE is an employee of the operator, or of an entity that employs or engages 80% or more of the mine's coal mine workers | Act s 59(2) | 500 penalty units |
| SSE: must ensure at least 1 OCE is present at the mine, and contactable, when mining activities are carried out in or around the excavation | Reg s 104 | — |
| SSE: must ensure the OCE's main responsibility is the safety and health of persons in or around the surface excavation during mining activities | Reg s 105 | — |
| OCE: inspect the excavation and the nearby part of the mine where activities are to be or are being carried out, before activities start and periodically under the safety and health management system, after reading the latest OCE report in the mine record and acknowledging in writing, in the record, that it has been read | Reg s 106 | — |
| OCE: if an unsafe thing causes an unacceptable level of risk, ensure it is made safe immediately if practicable; if it is not made safe immediately, immediately notify persons at the mine who may be exposed to the risk; until it is safe, barricade, stop operations and withdraw people; if still unsafe at the end of the shift, report it | Reg s 107 | — |
| SSE: must ensure at least 1 OCE is involved in developing, reviewing and auditing the part of the safety and health management system for mining activities in and around the excavation (not in matters outside the examiner's competency) | Reg s 108 | — |
| Anyone: must not give an OCE a technical direction about a safety and health matter unless they have competencies for that matter at least equivalent to the OCE's | Reg s 109 | 200 penalty units |
Sources: Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (Qld), current as at 1 July 2026, s 59; Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017, current as at 1 September 2026, ss 104–109. A dash means the section prints no penalty of its own. Section 59A of the Act covers acting open-cut examiners.
Section 107 is worth learning word by word, because it is the core of the job. If the unsafe thing is not made safe immediately, the OCE must immediately notify people who may be exposed and, until it is made safe, erect a barrier and stop coal mining operations in, and withdraw all persons from, that part of the mine. If it is still not safe at the end of the shift, the OCE reports it to their immediate supervisor, to the OCE making a similar inspection next shift and, where an operational ROC worker supplied information used in the decision, to that worker (s 107(5)).
The requirements, from the Board of Examiners checklist
The Open Cut Examiner checklist asks for a CV and your work history on RSHQ's template, equal to at least 3 years' experience. Its wording says "underground coal mining experience", but every item it lists is open cut work, so check with the Board of Examiners Secretary if your history is mixed.
| Part of the 3 years | What it includes |
|---|---|
| 2 years directly involved in winning coal during operations at the coal face | At least 6 months on a truck/shovel pre-strip or overburden removal operation; 9 months on a truck/shovel coal mining operation; 6 months on a dragline overburden removal operation; 3 months on an overburden or coal blasting operation, with a shotfiring log on RSHQ's template documenting participation in the firing of at least 10 shots |
| 1 year in and about operations that support coal winning | RSHQ recommends it includes strata control and highwall/lowwall monitoring and stability; blast design, handling and use of explosives and misfire management; emergency response exercises and preparedness; mobile plant interaction and control; pit dewatering and site water management; control of the working environment (fitness for work, radiation, dust and coal mine gases); SOP or PHMP development or review; an incident investigation |
RSHQ Board of Examiners application checklist, Open Cut Examiner. The four coal-winning minimums add up to 24 months (our arithmetic), the 2 years.
Qualifications and documents on the checklist
- A statement of attainment for RII40220 Certificate IV in surface coal mining (as the checklist names it).
- A certificate of attendance in gas testing, and RIIENV301 Conduct atmospheric monitoring.
- RIICOM301 Communicate information.
- Current HLTAID011 Provide First Aid and HLTAID009 Provide CPR.
- An endorsement of your readiness to apply and sit the examinations from your site senior executive.
- A Queensland statutory declaration if you cannot get signatures for your work history; all qualifications verified by a Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner for Declarations.
RSHQ Board of Examiners application checklist, Open Cut Examiner.
RSHQ's competency list for the open-cut examiner position asks for RIIRIS402E (or equivalent) with the certificate, and, from 17 June 2022, RIIENV301E or a first class, second class or deputy's certificate of competency for underground coal mines recognised by the Board.
Free practice questions
RSHQ says OCE candidates now sit the legislation exam online, and you must pass it before the oral. Try a few free questions on the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and Regulation 2017 in our quiz player. You get a result page and an explanation for every answer, with the section it comes from.
Written by ProSyllabus from the current Act and Regulation. They are not Board of Examiners questions.
From application to certificate
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Apply | Through the RSHQ Portal. Schedule 8, Part 1 of the Regulation sets the fee at 26.60 fee units; RSHQ's 2026–27 fact sheet gives $30.14 excluding GST. |
| 2. Eligibility | The Board reviews your application. If it is approved to progress, you are told to sit the legislation examination. |
| 3. Law exam | 2 hours, 2 parts, closed book, on the CMSH Act 1999 and Regulation 2017, 70% in each part; RSHQ says open cut examiners now sit legislation exams online. |
| 4. Technical exam | RSHQ says technical examinations are being introduced for open cut examiners in November 2026. |
| 5. Oral exam | Only after you pass the law exam (and the technical exam, where one applies). |
Sources: RSHQ Open Cut Examiner checklist, Certificates of competency and Examinations pages; Regulation Schedule 8, Part 1. You must finish the application and exam process within 3 years of applying.
After a first unsuccessful written attempt with a result above 30% but below 70%, you can sit again 3 months from the exam result notification; a result of 30% or less is treated as a second unsuccessful attempt, which needs a written study report (dates and topics) to the Board; if the Board approves, you can sit again 3 months from its decision. A first unsuccessful oral attempt above 30% but below 70% means waiting at least 6 months from receipt of the result letter, and a report of the actions you have taken to fix the deficiencies it identified (topics, dates, mentors or coaches), endorsed by your site senior executive.
What to read for the OCE law exam
| Topic | Read |
|---|---|
| Risk and obligations | Act ss 18, 19, 29–31; Part 3, especially s 39 (persons generally) and s 42 (site senior executive) |
| The OCE appointment | Act ss 59 and 59A |
| The OCE's duties | Regulation Chapter 3, Part 2 (ss 104–109) |
| Surface mine rules | Regulation Chapter 3: Part 1A general, especially s 102A principal hazard management plan; Part 4 explosives; Part 5 hazardous areas; Part 6 highwall mining; Part 8 mine roads; Part 9 plant; Part 10 stockpile and coal waste dump operations |
| All coal mines | Regulation Chapter 2: Part 2 safety and health management system; Part 3 accidents, high potential incidents, diseases and injuries; Part 3A supervisor's responsibilities; Part 5 emergencies; Part 6 fitness for work |
| Accidents and incidents | Act ss 198–201 |
Source: Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and Regulation 2017, current reprints. Our selection, not an official syllabus.
Queensland coal mining law exam practice test
Before your online OCE law exam, check you can score at least 70% on Act questions and on Regulation questions separately. The ProSyllabus practice test has 120 questions in 6 topic sets of 20 (3 on the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, 3 on the Regulation 2017), plus three mixed mocks of 40 (20 Act + 20 Regulation, the same questions regrouped) that hold your Act score and your Regulation score each to 70%, all played in our quiz player. Every answer is explained with the section of the Act or Regulation it comes from. Start with the free questions.
Frequently asked questions
What experience do I need to be an open cut examiner in Queensland?
RSHQ's checklist asks for at least 3 years: 2 years winning coal (including 6 months truck/shovel pre-strip or overburden, 9 months truck/shovel coal, 6 months dragline overburden and 3 months blasting, with a log of participation in firing at least 10 shots) and 1 year in operations that support coal winning.
What qualification does an OCE need?
The checklist lists a statement of attainment for RII40220 Certificate IV in surface coal mining, a gas testing certificate of attendance, RIIENV301, RIICOM301 and current first aid (HLTAID011) and CPR (HLTAID009). RSHQ's competency list also asks for RIIRIS402E (or equivalent) for the position.
Is the OCE exam online?
RSHQ says open cut examiners now sit legislation exams online, and that technical exams for open cut examiners are being introduced in November 2026.
What is the pass mark for the OCE law exam?
70% in each of the two parts of the 2-hour closed book coal exam on the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and Regulation 2017.
Is there an oral for the open cut examiner certificate?
Yes. The checklist says that after your application is approved you sit the legislation exam and then the oral, and you must pass the legislation exam first.
What must an OCE do if they find an unsafe thing?
If, after an inspection under s 106, the OCE decides an unsafe thing causes an unacceptable level of risk, s 107 of the Regulation requires the OCE to ensure it is made safe immediately if practicable. If it is not made safe immediately, notify people who may be exposed at once; until it is safe, erect a barrier and stop operations in, and withdraw everyone from, that part; and if it is still not safe at the end of the shift, report it.
How much does the OCE application cost?
Schedule 8, Part 1 of the Regulation sets 26.60 fee units; RSHQ's 2026–27 fact sheet gives $30.14 excluding GST.
Sources
- official — RSHQ Board of Examiners: Application checklist, Open Cut Examiner (DOCX)
- official — RSHQ: Coal mining competencies recognised by the Coal Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee, updated 26 May 2026
- official — RSHQ: Examinations (coal mining exam format, 70% per part, venues, resit conditions), updated 28 Oct 2026
- official — RSHQ: Certificates of competency (Practising Certificate Scheme, 3-year limit, online exams), updated 29 Oct 2026
- official — RSHQ: Fees for Board of Examiners applications fact sheet 2026–27 (PDF)
- official — Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (Qld), current as at 1 July 2026
- official — Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 (Qld), current as at 1 September 2026
official = a document published by the conducting body. reported = a news or coaching site we could not check against an original. Where sources disagree this page says so rather than picking one.
