What must mine operators and surface foremen ensure regarding the performance of certified duties?

Mine operators and surface foremen have a critical responsibility to ensure that only certified individuals perform duties that require certification. This is essential for maintaining safety, compliance with regulations, and ensuring that work is executed to the necessary standards. Certified individuals have undergone the required training and assessments to confirm their competency, which is vital in environments such as mining where hazards are present, and specific expertise is necessary.

Maintaining this standard not only protects the safety of the workers but also ensures that operations comply with legal and regulatory requirements. Assigning duties related to safety and technical operations only to those who are certified prevents accidents and incidents caused by unqualified personnel. This is particularly crucial in industries like mining, where improper execution of tasks can lead to significant risks, including injury or loss of life.

In contrast, allowing uncertified individuals to undertake certified duties can lead to dangerous situations and is contrary to established safety protocols and regulations.