Critical Risk and Critical Control Compliance
Critical control management that protects your people and supports compliance by
1 June 2026
Queensland resources operators are moving into a new critical control compliance environment. The underlying goal is the same across coal, minerals, and quarries, identify the controls that must not fail, embed them into how work is done, then verify they are effective in practice.
Where many sites get stuck is that the legal mechanism and guidance differs by sector.
This page supports two pathways:
Coal mines and coal exploration (CMSHA)
Critical controls are integrated through Principal Hazard Management Plans (PHMPs). The recognised guidance for coal is QGN35, which focuses on integrating critical controls into PHMPs and day to day operations.
Mineral mines and quarries (MQSHA)
Critical controls are integrated through the site’s Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) and risk management framework. There is currently no QGN35 equivalent for minerals and quarries, so the “how” must be met through practical SHMS integration, policies, procedures, standards, verification, and governance.
This is not about adding paperwork. It is about building a simple, defensible system that prevents serious harm and stands up to scrutiny.
Designed for Exploration Projects
Through to Operating Mines
Most critical control frameworks were built for large, mature operations.
Exploration teams, single site operators, and growing producers are often left trying to retrofit complex systems that do not match the reality of their work.
SSE Co’s approach is designed to scale. The principles of critical control management remain the same, but the level of complexity is tailored to the operation, only as complex as it needs to be.
Built for:
Small exploration programs
Emerging producers
Single site operators
Growing operations transitioning toward production
Coal operations working within PHMP requirements
Mineral and quarry operations embedding critical controls into SHMS
It is structured, practical and usable.
Built from real world statutory and operational experience in Queensland resources environments.
Aligned to Queensland requirements, built for real operations
Critical control management expects you to demonstrate, in practice, that:
High consequence hazards are clearly identified
Critical controls are defined, with performance expectations that are unambiguous
Accountability is clear, from leadership to frontline
Verification is structured and repeatable
Evidence exists that controls are working, not just documented
The difference is where the system must live:
Coal pathway (CMSHA, PHMP integration)
For coal mines and coal exploration, critical controls must be integrated into PHMPs, using the language and expectations reflected in QGN35. This includes workforce ownership, defined critical controls, performance standards, and verification.
Minerals and quarries pathway (MQSHA, SHMS integration)
For mineral mines and quarries, critical controls must be integrated into the SHMS risk management system, implemented through practical site mechanisms such as procedures, standards, training, verification activities, reporting, and governance.
SSE Co embeds these expectations directly into your existing systems. Not as an overlay, and not as another manual, but as an operating discipline that your team can actually use.
We integrate into your:
Safety and Health Management System (SHMS)
Principal Hazard Management Plans (PHMPs), where applicable
Project and operational risk assessments
Operational procedures and work instructions
Verification and reporting routines
Strengthening what you already have, rather than replacing it.
The SSE Co Critical Risk
Operating Model
SSE Co has developed a structured approach aligned with ICMM good practice and Queensland legislative expectations.
The goal is simple, prevent serious harm, and ensure your organisation can demonstrate defensible compliance if tested.
Our model is underpinned by a practical 10 step framework that ensures:
Hazards are assessed consistently
Controls are properly identified and classified
Critical controls are clearly defined
Accountability is unambiguous
Verification is structured and measurable
The approach is scaled to the complexity of your operation, from exploration through to production
We start with a facilitated implementation session that brings leadership and frontline teams together. This builds alignment and workforce ownership from the beginning.
Following this, SSE Co completes the detailed development work so your team receives a simple, practical system they can operate and maintain.
SSE CO 10-STEP PROCESS
Aligned with ICMM Good Practice Guide
5
Define Standards
6
Accountability
2
Identify
Hazards
1
Plan
4
Identify Critical Controls
3
Identify
Controls
8
Verification
7
Site Implementation
10
Response to Inadequate Performance
9
Reporting & Recording
Key deliverables (tailored to your pathway)
Core deliverables (all sectors):
Critical Risk Management Plan (scaled to operation complexity)
Broadbrush Risk Assessment (BBRA), where appropriate
Critical Control Standards (performance expectations and requirements)
Verification templates and schedules
1 page accountability matrix
Response process for inadequate control performance
Optional SafetyCulture integration, where used on site
Coal (CMSHA) deliverables, where applicable:
PHMP support and critical control integration into PHMPs
PHMP aligned evidence pack for verification and governance expectations
Alignment to QGN35 intent and terminology
Minerals and quarries (MQSHA) deliverables, where applicable:
SHMS integration pack to embed critical controls into risk management
Procedure and standard updates to reflect critical control requirements
Practical verification and reporting routines embedded in SHMS governance
What It Delivers
Risk Clarity
Clear identification of fatal and catastrophic risks relevant to your operation.
Control Precision
Practical, unambiguous critical controls aligned to operational reality.
Workforce Ownership
Frontline understanding of what must never fail, scaled to the nature of the work.
Verification Discipline
Structured validation of control effectiveness, with evidence you can stand behind.
Executive Visibility
Clear reporting and governance oversight for senior leaders and boards.
The purpose is simple, prevent serious harm while ensuring your organisation can demonstrate defensible compliance.
Why Acting Early Matters
As the 1 June 2026 deadline approaches, implementation timelines will compress.
Operators who delay risk:
Rushed systems
Superficial compliance
Poor workforce engagement
Increased regulatory exposure
Greater scrutiny following incidents
Early implementation allows time to embed the system, build ownership, and demonstrate effectiveness, not just compliance.
Who We Work With
SSE Co supports:
Exploration companies preparing for production, coal or minerals
Coal operators strengthening PHMP critical control integration
Mineral mines and quarry operators embedding critical controls into SHMS
Contractors aligning with client expectations across both Acts
Corporate teams seeking consistent risk governance across assets
Senior Site Executives and statutory positions seeking confidence
About SSE Co
SSE Co is a leading provider of exploration safety, corporate, and statutory support services across the Queensland resources sector.
Our team combines operational experience with regulatory understanding to deliver practical, defensible, and scalable risk systems.
We focus on outcomes, not documentation.
Book a Critical Risk Readiness Call
We are partnering with a limited number of Queensland operators prior to the June 2026 deadline to ensure focused, high quality implementation.
Let’s determine whether your current system would stand up if tested tomorrow.
Book your confidential Critical Risk Readiness Call.