This article deals with the role and the place of risk-based thinking in today’s occupational safety and health (OSH) systems used by mining companies. A brief survey on modern challenges and pressures affecting companies, as well as on the structure of supply chains, is given. It is demonstrated that, despite all measures and actions that are being taken, occupational injuries in the mining sector: (a) remain a matter of serious concern and (b) should be examined and investigated through the lens of the company’s complexity. The objective of the article is two-fold: to trace the evolution of risk-based thinking from quality management systems towards OSH management systems and to demonstrate how this approach can be implemented by a company performing open-pit mining operations. The matrix method along with the Fine and Kinney’s method was used in assessing OSH risks, and the checklist method along with a Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT)analysis was used while assessing OSH opportunities. The results of the study make it possible to conclude that risk-based thinking incorporated into an OSH management system can be a robust and efficient instrument for OSH planning and implementation. This article contains an example of assessing OSH risks and opportunities for a dragline operator and also discusses the possible ways of using the data on the OSH risks and opportunities that were identified in OSH activities. The final part also contains comments and reflections on various risks mining companies are facing nowadays.

Purpose. Rationale of priority areas in the field of hazard analysis at hazardous production facilities (HPF) and the develop ment of a method that allows for spatial analysis of the risk of accidents at a high level of detail. methodology. The authors proposed a method for processing heterogeneous information in order to identify hazardous areas for accidents, based on systematization and processing of source data using expert systems. findings. Using the example of spatial analysis of risk of explosion of methaneair mixture in the working area of a coal mine, the possibility of practical implementation of the proposed method was demonstrated. For this purpose, an expert system was used, which was formed on the basis of fuzzy logic inference algorithms in MATLAB Fuzzy Logic Toolbox environment, and further point interpolation was performed using the Golden Software Surfer. originality. Based on the model of expert system of a fuzzy logical output, relationships have been established between a nu merical indicator of the risk of an accident-an explosion of a methaneair mixture, and indicators of mining, geological, mining, subjective, and organizational risk factors. The expediency of the development of separate expert systems for the analysis of indi vidual sources of hazards in order to create a single component object environment for the implementation of comprehensive analysis of safety of HPF is substantiated. Practical value. The work presents the rationale for the universality of the chosen methodological approach, which allows adapting expert systems for analyzing various hazards on HPF in various industries. The obtained results can be used for the timely and targeted implementation of preventive protective measures, which will be the practical use of the principles of the risk based approach (RBA) in ensuring the safety of HPF.

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Purpose. Development of methods for determining the required volume of air for airing workings by the factor of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines (ICE). methodology. To determine the actual value of the cleaning efficiency (neutralization) of exhaust gases from automotive diesel emissions from engines which meet the environmental standard Tier III, field measurements on the magnitude of the carbon mon oxide concentration (CO) and nitrogen oxides (calculated as NO 2) after the catalytic converter were processed; they were con ducted in the conditions of the "United Kirov mine" and the Maleevsky, Tishinsky and Dolinny mines of "Kazzinc" LLC (RF). findings. The calculation of specific air consumption according to the method developed by the authors has demonstrated that its maximum value for the Tier III environmental standard is achieved when diluting emissions of nitrogen oxides and is equal to 2.86 m 3 /min. per hp. originality. During the study in the field of exhaust efficiency of gas purification after the neutralizer, the gascleaning coeffi cient was derived and applied in the method for calculating the amount of air. Studies performed in the area of calculating the specific air flow rate by the exhaust dilution factor have shown the possibility of significantly reducing the amount of air supplied to the atmosphere of the mine to dilute harmful impurities to standard values. Practical value. The calculation of the amount of air according to modern standards of diesel equipment will allow reducing the cost of ventilation of mine workings. This will increase the service life of equipment involved in the ventilation of mine workings, and significantly reduce the capital costs of mining enterprises, which will lead to positive economic effect.