Checked 6 November 2026. Recognised standards are reviewed and reissued from time to time (RS05 was reissued in October 2026, and RS02 and RS16 are under review). This page follows the list and PDFs published when we checked on 6 November 2026. Always use the current version from the official list.
Queensland's coal recognised standards are 23 documents, numbered RS01 to RS23, made by the Minister under Part 5 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999. Each one states ways to get a risk at a coal mine down to an acceptable level: how to design a mine road, how often to sample roadway dust, how to run an emergency exercise. They are not the law in the way the Act and the Regulation are, but the Act gives them real weight, and a mine that does something else has to be able to show its way is at least as good.
This guide lists all 23 in one table, in plain English, with where each applies and the part of the Act or Regulation it ties to (only a handful of Regulation sections name a standard directly). It then sets out the Act's rules about standards, which sit inside the legislation the Board of Examiners law exam is set on. For a chapter-by-chapter summary of the Regulation itself, see our Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 guide.
This is a plain-English study index, not legal advice. Each standard's own text, and the Act and Regulation, are what apply. ProSyllabus is an independent study site, not part of Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) or the Board of Examiners.
Business Queensland / RSHQ recognised standards list (last updated 23 Oct 2026) and RSTWG page (last updated 11 Jun 2026); CMSH Act 1999 s 37; CMSH Regulation 2017 s 12. Checked 6 Nov 2026.
What a recognised standard is (and is not)
Section 71 of the Act says a standard may be made "stating ways to achieve an acceptable level of risk to persons arising out of coal mining operations". Under s 72 the Minister makes them and notifies each one by gazette notice, and the CEO must publish each standard, and any document it applies or adopts, on a Queensland Government website. Under s 280(1)(c) the CEO keeps records that include the current recognised standards.
The key rule is s 37. It sets an order of priority:
- First, the Regulation. If a regulation prescribes a way of achieving an acceptable level of risk, a person may discharge their obligation for that risk only by following the prescribed way (s 37(1)). If a regulation prohibits exposure to a risk, only by keeping to the prohibition (s 37(2)).
- Then, a recognised standard. Subject to that, if a recognised standard states a way of achieving an acceptable level of risk, a person discharges the obligation only by adopting and following a stated way, or "another way that achieves a level of risk that is equal to or better than the acceptable level" (s 37(3)).
- If neither exists, the person may choose an appropriate way to discharge the obligation, but discharges it only if they take reasonable precautions and exercise proper diligence to ensure it is discharged (s 38).
So a standard is not mandatory word for word. Several of the standards say so in a box of their own: a person may adopt another way of managing the risk, but in the event of an incident may be required to show that the method adopted was equivalent. The Act backs this up in two places:
- Defence (s 48(1)(b)): in a proceeding for contravening a safety and health obligation under Part 3, Divisions 2, 3 or 3A, it is a defence (where no regulation prescribes a way under s 48(1)(a)) to prove the person adopted and followed a stated way in the standard, or another way that achieved a level of risk equal to or better than the acceptable level. The standard that counts is the one in force at the time of the contravention (s 48(4)).
- Evidence (s 73): a recognised standard is admissible in a proceeding about a Part 3 safety and health obligation, where the claim is that the person failed to achieve an acceptable level of risk and the standard is about achieving an acceptable level of risk.
Source: Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, ss 37, 38, 48, 71 to 73 and 280, current as at 1 July 2026. For where the Regulation fits in the order, see our Regulation guide.
All 23 coal recognised standards
Titles are as they appear on the official list. "What it covers" is our short summary of each standard's own purpose and scope sections. The last column names the provision the standard itself refers to, a section of the current Regulation that points to it, or (where neither is that specific) the part of the law it relates to.
| RS | Title | Applies to | What it covers | Links to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RS01 | Underground electrical equipment and electrical installations | Underground (and surface equipment directly tied to underground operations) | Minimum standards for selecting, installing, maintaining and operating electrical equipment and installations, including in explosion risk zones, plus control of static electricity | Regulation Ch 2 Part 4 and Ch 4 Part 5 |
| RS02 | Control of risk management practices | All mines | An auditable practice for formal risk assessments when building the safety and health management system, including principal hazard management plans and standard operating procedures | The safety and health management system (Act s 62; Regulation ss 6 to 10) |
| RS03 | Explosion protected diesel engines | Underground (plant in an ERZ1) | Internal combustion engines powering plant in an ERZ1: compression ignition, tested under AS/NZS 3584.2:2008, explosion and fire hazards | Regulation s 261(2) |
| RS04 | Underground non-explosion protected vehicles | Underground (not surface vehicles) | Minimum construction and management controls for vehicles whose power source is not explosion protected, used in the negligible explosion risk zone (NERZ) | Regulation Ch 4 (explosion risk zones) |
| RS05 | Quality of incombustible dust, sampling and analysis of roadway dust in underground coal mines | All underground mines | Stone dust properties, how to sample roadway dust (zones, sub zones, sample points) and how to analyse it (laboratory, portable instrument, colorimetric) | Regulation ss 300 to 303 (stone dusting) |
| RS06 | Inspections for underground coal mines | Underground | Part A: an inspection regime built from the mine's risk assessments. Part B: a transitional schedule of inspections to use until a Part A regime is in place | Regulation s 309(5) |
| RS07 | Criteria for the assessment of drugs in coal mines | All mines without a majority agreement on drug-testing criteria | Criteria for assessing workers and visitors for drugs (random testing; testing on reasonable suspicion) where the SSE and a majority of workers have not agreed the criteria | Regulation s 42(7) and (7A) |
| RS08 | Conduct of mine emergency exercises | All mines (most exercises written for underground) | A hierarchy of 4 exercise levels, from a state-level exercise to supporting exercises, how to organise and assess them, and annual frequencies. It grew out of the Moura No 2 inquiry recommendations | Emergency management (Regulation Ch 2 Part 5) |
| RS09 | Monitoring of sealed areas | Underground | Where to put monitoring points, which gases to monitor, sampling frequency for 4 types of sealed area (non-explosive, explosion risk, fuel rich, abnormal oxidation or spontaneous combustion), seal maintenance and reporting | Gas monitoring (Regulation Ch 4 Part 7) |
| RS10 | Mine surveying and drafting | All mines (mine surveyors) | How mine spatial information is measured, recorded, stored and prepared, including the digital plan of mine workings | Act s 67 (plans of coal mine workings) |
| RS11 | Training in coal mines | Surface and underground | Setting up and keeping a training scheme: inductions for workers and visitors, competence and certification for tasks, and making sure workers know they can report safety concerns without reprisal | Regulation Ch 2 Part 11 (s 82 onwards) |
| RS12 | Place change mining operations in underground coal mines | Underground (first workings) | Minimum requirements for the place change method of developing first workings, from design of the workings onwards | Mining operations (Regulation Ch 4 Part 10) |
| RS13 | Tyre, wheel and rim management | All mines (mobile, transportable and fixed plant) | What the safety and health management system and standard operating procedures should contain for fitting, removing, testing, maintaining and repairing tyres, wheels and rims | Regulation s 72(a) |
| RS14 | Monitoring respirable dust in coal mines | All underground and surface mines | Minimum requirements for monitoring, recording and reporting respirable dust: personal monitoring programs and how records go to the chief inspector | Regulation ss 49, 89 and 89A |
| RS15 | Underground respirable dust control | Underground (and surface activities affecting intake air) | Ways for the SSE to control respirable dust: mine design, hierarchy of controls, exposure profiles, and the ventilation officer's part | Regulation s 89 |
| RS16 | Use and control of polymeric chemicals at underground coal mines | Any use at coal mines (not foam-filled tyres) | Safe storage, transport, use and disposal of polymeric chemicals (void filling, strata binding and sealing, resin bolting), applied only by competent organisations, with health monitoring | Hazardous chemicals (Regulation Ch 2 Part 7) |
| RS17 | Hazardous chemicals | All mines | When hazardous chemicals must be classified, and what labels and safety data sheets must show | Regulation ss 56B(3) and 56C(4) |
| RS18 | Management of heat in underground coal mines | Underground, where wet bulb may exceed 27°C | Recognising heat illness, trigger action response plans, training and controls for hot and humid work | Regulation s 369 |
| RS19 | Design and construction of mine roads | Surface mines and surface areas of underground mines | Ways to design and build mine roads, because vehicle interaction is a principal hazard at surface mines | Regulation s 128 |
| RS20 | Dust control in surface mines | Surface mines (and exploration on a coal mining lease) | How the SSE controls respirable and inhalable dust, finds the main sources, checks controls work, and considers a dust management plan; to be applied with RS14 and RS02 | Regulation s 89 |
| RS21 | Underground explosion barriers | Underground | Selecting, installing, maintaining and using explosion barriers in roadways to stop a coal dust explosion spreading; it does not replace stone dusting | Regulation s 303A |
| RS22 | Management structure for the development and implementation of the Safety and Health Management System | All mines | A way for the SSE to set up the management structure and document the competencies of positions given responsibility under the system | Act ss 7, 41, 42, 55, 60 and 66 |
| RS23 | Fluid power safety in coal mines | All mines (all plant) | Minimum standards for hydraulic and other fluid power systems across their life: design, supply, installation, use, maintenance and disposal | Plant (Regulation Ch 2 Part 10) |
Source: the official list of recognised standards for coal mines (last updated 23 Oct 2026) and each standard's own purpose and scope sections, read 6 Nov 2026. Section references are to the current Act and Regulation unless the standard names its own.
Each standard's scope section, read 6 Nov 2026. RS06 and RS08 are counted by their main scope; RS08 sets exercises for every mine.
Where the Regulation points to a standard
Most standards are linked to the Regulation only by topic. In a handful of sections, the Regulation names a recognised standard directly. These are the ones worth knowing exactly, because the effect differs each time.
| Regulation section | What it says about a standard | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| s 12 | The SSE must keep a list of the current recognised standards at the mine (and any remote operating centre) where workers can easily get to it, a copy of the current standard for each coal mining operation where the workers in that operation (and the operational ROC workers concerned with it) can easily get to it, and both in a format that is easy to use and understand | All |
| s 42(7A) | If the majority of workers disagree with the SSE's criteria for assessing drug use, the criteria stated in a recognised standard apply until an agreement is reached | RS07 |
| s 56B(3) | A manufacturer, importer or supplier of a substance for use at a coal mine must ensure it is correctly marked or labelled: correct means complying with the GHS, a recognised standard or the ADG Code | RS17 |
| s 56C(4) | The SSE must ensure a mark, label or notice for hazardous chemicals or dangerous goods at the mine complies with the GHS, a recognised standard, the ADG Code or AS 1345 | RS17 |
| s 89(5)(c) | Respirable dust records go to the chief inspector at least once every 3 months for development and longwall operations, and otherwise as required under a recognised standard on monitoring respirable dust, or as an inspector directs | RS14 |
| s 261(2)(c) | The underground mine manager must ensure an engine powering plant in an ERZ1 is assessed by its manufacturer, having regard to the recognised standard for explosion-protected diesel engine systems, as safe to use there | RS03 |
| s 303A(3) | An "explosion barrier" means a barrier, device or system constructed, installed and maintained in compliance with a recognised standard for explosion barriers, or another one that achieves a level of risk equal to or better than the acceptable level of risk achieved by such a barrier | RS21 |
| s 309(5) | Until the mine's standard operating procedure for inspections is implemented, inspections must be carried out having regard to the frequency stated in a recognised standard | RS06 |
| s 360(2) | For a person working more than 8 hours a day and more than 40 hours a week, the carbon dioxide time-weighted average limit is adjusted having regard to a recognised standard for extended working hours | none of RS01 to RS23 is titled for this |
| s 369(2)(a) | In developing the heat stress management provisions (places where wet bulb exceeds 27°C), the SSE must have regard to any criteria stated in a recognised standard for managing heat | RS18 |
Source: Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017, current as at 1 September 2026, sections named. The s 369 limit of 29.4°C effective temperature, and the rest of these sections, are summarised in our Regulation guide.
What the law exam asks about recognised standards
RSHQ says the coal mining law exam is a 2-hour, 2-part, closed book exam on the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017, with 70% needed in each part, and that questions cover the legislation relevant to the position. RSHQ does not list the recognised standards themselves as exam material, so do not try to learn 23 technical documents for it. What is in the Act and the Regulation is the law about standards:
- The order of priority in s 37: a regulation first; then a recognised standard (a stated way, or another way that is equal or better); s 38 only if neither exists.
- The defence in s 48(1)(b), and that it uses the standard in force at the time of the contravention (s 48(4)).
- Who makes and publishes standards (s 72: the Minister makes them, by gazette notice; the CEO publishes them on a Queensland Government website) and when one is admissible in evidence (s 73).
- The SSE's duty to keep the list and copies accessible (Regulation s 12).
- The Regulation sections that name a standard (the table above), especially s 42(7A) for drug-testing criteria and s 369 for heat.
For which statutory position needs which certificate and exam, see our Queensland coal mining law exam guide, and for the certificates: SSE notice, open-cut examiner and deputy.
Which standards each role meets most
Not a list of exam questions: these are the standards whose own text names the role, or whose linked section puts the duty on it.
| Role | Standards to know by name | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Site senior executive (SSE) | RS22 management structure; RS15 and RS20 dust control; RS18 heat; RS07 drug criteria; s 12 list and copies | <a href="/hub/sse-notice-queensland-coal" style="color:#255a45;font-weight:600">SSE notice</a> |
| Underground mine manager | RS03 diesel engines in an ERZ1 (s 261); RS21 explosion barriers (s 303A); RS08 emergency exercises | <a href="/hub/qld-coal-mining-law-exam" style="color:#255a45;font-weight:600">Law exam guide</a> |
| Deputy / ERZ controller | RS06 inspections (Part B names the ERZ controller; Regulation s 309) | <a href="/hub/deputy-certificate-of-competency-qld" style="color:#255a45;font-weight:600">Deputy certificate</a> |
| Open-cut examiner | RS19 mine roads (it names the OCE); RS20 surface dust (it has a section on open-cut examiners) | <a href="/hub/open-cut-examiner-certificate-qld" style="color:#255a45;font-weight:600">OCE certificate</a> |
| Ventilation officer | RS15 underground respirable dust (it names the role) | <a href="/hub/qld-coal-mining-law-exam" style="color:#255a45;font-weight:600">Law exam guide</a> |
| Electrical engineering manager | RS01 underground electrical equipment (it names the EEM) | |
| Mine surveyor | RS10 mine surveying and drafting |
Two worked questions
These two are our own, written from the current Act and Regulation. They are not Board of Examiners questions.
Question 1: a different way
- A recognised standard states a way to control a risk. The mine adopts and follows a different method, which achieves a level of risk better than the acceptable level. No regulation prescribes a way for that risk. Has the person discharged their safety and health obligation for the risk?
- Answer: yes. Under s 37(3)(b) of the Act, the obligation is discharged by adopting and following another way that achieves a level of risk equal to or better than the acceptable level. The same test is a defence under s 48(1)(b)(ii). If a regulation had prescribed a way, s 37(1) would require that way instead.
CMSH Act 1999 ss 37 and 48.
Question 2: no agreement on drug testing
- The SSE has made a reasonable attempt to agree the criteria for assessing workers for drug use with a majority of workers, but the majority disagree with the criteria. What criteria apply?
- Answer: the criteria stated in a recognised standard, until an agreement is reached (Regulation s 42(7A)). That is RS07, Criteria for the assessment of drugs in coal mines, which is written for mines without that majority agreement.
CMSH Regulation 2017 s 42(7) and (7A); RS07 scope.
Try a few exam-style questions free
These questions play in our practice player: press Start, answer them, and the result page explains each answer with the section it comes from. They are our own practice questions on the Act and the Regulation.
Free sample: a few timed questions in our test player, with your score, time per question and the reason behind every answer. Start the free sample.
Reading a standard: five things to check
- Use the official list. Business Queensland and RSHQ publish the current PDFs; the list was last updated on 23 October 2026 when we checked, and RS05 had been reissued that month (version 1.2, 8 October 2026).
- Check which Regulation it cites. Several older standards, including RS06, RS07, RS09 and RS10, still refer to the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2001, which the 2017 Regulation replaced. Match any section number to the current Regulation before you rely on it.
- Check the printed Act text. Some standards reprint an older s 72 that talks about keeping copies for inspection at department offices; the current s 72(3) requires the CEO to publish each standard on a Queensland Government website.
- Read the scope first. Many standards apply only underground, or only in a stated case (RS07 only without a majority agreement; RS18 where wet bulb may exceed 27°C).
- Watch for reviews. The Minister can approve a standard for review or development by a Recognised Standard Tripartite Working Group, chaired by an Inspector of Coal Mines. In June 2026 that list was RS02, RS16 and a new standard on spontaneous combustion in underground coal mines.
Common mistakes
- Calling a recognised standard mandatory. Under s 37(3) a person can follow another way, if it achieves a level of risk equal to or better than the acceptable level.
- Putting a standard above the Regulation. Where a regulation prescribes a way, s 37(1) says the obligation can be discharged only by that way.
- Thinking the SSE only has to "have" the standards. Section 12 is about access: a list where each worker can easily get to it, copies of the relevant standard for the workers in each operation, and an easy-to-use format.
- Mixing up RS14, RS15 and RS20: RS14 is monitoring respirable dust (all mines), RS15 is controlling it underground, RS20 is dust control at surface mines.
- Confusing coal recognised standards with "guidelines". Mineral mines and quarries have guidelines (QGL01 to QGL04) under s 63 of the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999; RS01 to RS23 are for coal mines under the coal Act.
Practise the law behind the standards
RSHQ says the Board of Examiners law exam is closed book, on the Act and the Regulation, with 70% needed in each of its 2 parts. The sections that say what a recognised standard is, and when following one discharges an obligation, are part of that law.
See the Queensland coal mining law exam practice test: our own questions on the Act and the Regulation, each answer explained with the section it comes from. Independent practice; not made or endorsed by RSHQ or the Board of Examiners.
Frequently asked questions
What are recognised standards in Queensland coal mining?
They are standards made by the Minister under Part 5 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 that state ways to achieve an acceptable level of risk from coal mining operations (s 71). There are 23 on the official list, RS1 to RS23, covering topics from underground electrical equipment (RS01) to fluid power safety (RS23).
Are recognised standards mandatory?
Not word for word. Under s 37(3) of the Act, where a standard states a way, a person discharges their obligation by following a stated way or another way that achieves a level of risk equal to or better than the acceptable level. If a regulation prescribes a way, that way must be followed (s 37(1)).
Where do I find the current recognised standards?
On the Business Queensland / RSHQ page "Recognised standards, guidelines and guidance notes", which links the PDF of each coal standard. It was last updated on 23 October 2026 when we checked on 6 November 2026.
What is Recognised Standard 11?
RS11, Training in coal mines. It helps a mine set up and keep a training scheme under Chapter 2 Part 11 of the Regulation: inductions for workers and visitors, competence and certification for tasks, and making sure workers know they can report safety concerns without reprisal. It applies to surface and underground operations.
What does the SSE have to do with recognised standards?
Under Regulation s 12 the SSE must keep a list of the current recognised standards at the mine (and any remote operating centre) where each worker can easily get to it, keep a copy of the current standard for each coal mining operation where the workers in that operation (and the operational ROC workers concerned with it) can easily get to it, and keep both in a format that is easy to use and understand.
Are the recognised standards in the Board of Examiners law exam?
RSHQ says the coal law exam is on the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 and the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017. It does not list the standards as exam material. The Act and Regulation sections about standards (such as Act ss 37, 48 and 71 to 73 and Regulation ss 12 and 42(7A)) are part of that legislation.
Can a recognised standard be used in court?
Yes, in the cases set out in s 73 of the Act: a proceeding about a Part 3 safety and health obligation, where the claim is a failure to achieve an acceptable level of risk, and the standard is about achieving an acceptable level of risk.
Is this page legal advice?
No. It is a study index. The standards, the Act and the Regulation as published by the Queensland Government are what apply, and the standards are reissued from time to time.
Sources
- official — Business Queensland / RSHQ: Recognised standards, guidelines and guidance notes (RS1 to RS23 for coal mines, with PDFs), last updated 23 Oct 2026
- official — Business Queensland / RSHQ: Recognised Standard Tripartite Working Groups (standards being reviewed or developed), last updated 11 Jun 2026
- official — Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (Qld), current as at 1 July 2026, ss 37, 38, 48, 71 to 73 and 280 (checked 6 Nov 2026)
- official — Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 (Qld), current as at 1 September 2026, ss 12, 42, 56B, 56C, 89, 261, 303A, 309, 360 and 369 (checked 6 Nov 2026)
- official — RSHQ: Examinations (coal mining law exam: 2 hours, 2 parts, closed book, Act and Regulation, 70% each part), updated 28 Oct 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.
