Defining the mining activity
NOM-023-STPS-2012 establishes health and safety requirements for exploration and extraction in underground and open-pit mines within its scope. It contains explicit exclusions, including coal and associated gas, oil, natural gas and radioactive minerals. Identifying the resource and operation is essential: it should not be used as the sole standard for any activity described as mining.
Updated risk analysis
The standard requires analysis of hazards and controls, considering processes, areas, jobs and routine and non-routine activities. People entering the site, including contractors and visitors, must also be considered. The analysis is reviewed following relevant changes in processes, installations or conditions. Signing the document does not replace implementing or checking the resulting measures.
Procedures and authorisations
Operations require safety procedures and corresponding training. Certain tasks are reserved for trained personnel with written authorisation as specified in the text. Mining risk management must connect authorisation, task and actual conditions. Training on one machine does not automatically establish competence with any other machine that operates differently.
Maintenance and emergency preparedness
Safe machinery availability relies on planned inspection and maintenance. The framework also covers health surveillance, protective equipment and emergency response. Plans must be usable by those involved and consistent with routes, resources and communications. In an underground operation, exit routes and protective equipment require specific technical analysis.
Example of an operational change
In a hypothetical example, a mine introduces mobile equipment that changes internal routes. Before commissioning, conflicts, instructions and personnel competence are reviewed. Any changes to emergency or maintenance conditions are also checked. Updating only the machinery list would leave risks arising from the new operation unresolved.
Limits of a document review
The standard includes conformity assessment criteria that extend beyond having documents. Evidence must be checked against installations and practices. References to other NOM standards should be reviewed alongside their replacements where applicable. This entry does not provide design calculations or operational limits for a particular mine and should not be used as authorisation to start work.
