Infrastructure Overseer

The Role

The Infrastructure Overseer is responsible for managing and supervising their designated underground operational area in accordance with current legislation, including all obligations under the Mines Regulations 2014. The role ensures safe, efficient, and compliant operations by applying strong technical knowledge, effective resource deployment, and proactive safety leadership.

The post-holder works closely with Infrastructure and Production teams, Technical Services, Safety, and mine management to implement plans, maintain standards, and ensure statutory reporting and inspections are completed to the required standard.

Reports to: Underground Operational Superintendent (Infrastructure)
Accountable to: Production Manager (Infrastructure)
Key Working Relationships: Safety Department, Infrastructure & Production personnel, Technical Services, Mine CRO, Production Management

The Responsibilities

1. Safety

The post-holder is responsible for:

• Ensuring the safety, health, and welfare of all personnel in their area through ongoing inspection and supervision.
• Completing statutory SMSDocs 105 (M&Q Out-bye District) and 106 (M&Q In-bye District).
• Detecting mine gases, understanding properties, responses, and physiological effects.
• Ensuring ongoing compliance with ISO 45001:2018 and supporting continuous improvement.
• Ensuring all Risk Assessments are accessible, issued, and regularly reviewed.
• Communicating Safety Briefs and collecting/acting on feedback.
• Implementing underground emergency procedures and ensuring safe havens and escape routes are maintained and familiar to teams.
• Monitoring staff safety passport slips.

2. Planning

• Coordinating resources to meet short- and mid-term plans.
• Ensuring shift teams meet specific daily objectives.
• Ensuring work adheres to legislation, policies, standards, and procedures.
• Ensuring the team’s training needs are identified and fulfilled.

3. Manage and Lead

• Although no direct leadership responsibilities are formally assigned, the role requires leading safe working behaviours, influencing standards, and guiding operational effectiveness.

4. Decision Making & Problem Solving

• Making informed decisions relating to hazard identification and risk management.
• Prioritising tasks and allocating resources daily following team discussions.
• Using judgement and experience to manage incidents and interruptions during the shift.

5. Operational Parameters

• Preparing deployment and working plans at the start of shift.
• Communicating risks and controls via Pre-shift forms.
• Producing clear written shift reports documenting all activities.
• Liaising with Technical Services to discuss operational status.

6. Communication

• Ensuring compliance with all safety briefs.
• Reporting abnormal events and mitigating actions to line management.
• Liaising with management to understand mine plans and interdependencies.
• Providing verbal and written handovers between shifts.
• Presenting operational information and performance to senior management.
• Understanding how operational decisions impact other areas of the mine.

7. Information Management

• Using geological, survey, and rock mechanics instructions to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Referring to plans, written instructions, handovers, and task books as required.

8. Financial Management

• Managing consumables, equipment, and machinery to minimise waste, costs, and downtime.

Notes

• Confidentiality regarding individuals, operations, and projects must be maintained.
• Duties listed are not exhaustive; the description will be regularly reviewed.
• Performance standards and objectives will be set and expected to be met as part of the role.

The Requirements

Experience & Knowledge

• Supervisory experience in an underground mining environment.
• Strong knowledge of geological conditions, mine structures, survey plans, rock mechanics, and mine infrastructure.
• Full competency with underground plant, machinery, and equipment.

Qualifications / Certificates

• Level 2 Skills for Life (Numeracy, Literacy, ITQ) or GCSE equivalent/higher.
• IOSH Managing Safety.
• Risk Assessment training.
• Effective communication skills.
• First Aid at Work.
• Altair gas detection monitoring training.

Applicants must hold or be willing to work toward all required qualifications within a reasonable timescale.