Occupational safety risk management in Australian mining

Abstract

In the past 15 years, there has been a major safety improvement in the Australian mining industry. Part of this change can be attributed to the development and application of risk assessment methods. These systematic, team-based techniques identify, assess and control unacceptable risks to people, assets, the environment and production. The outcomes have improved mine management systems. This paper discusses the risk assessment approach applied to equipment design and mining operations, as well as the specific risk assessment methodology. The paper also discusses the reactive side of risk management, incident and accident investigation. Systematic analytical methods have also been adopted by regulatory authorities and mining companies to investigate major losses.

Integration of OHS into Risk Management in an Open-Pit Mining Project in Quebec (Canada)

“…We were able to confirm the presence of certain hazards identified in other studies of mines [34,40,[70][71][72][73][74] and we noted in particular dangers associated with equipment and machines, worker-machine interferences, power sources, mechanical sources, driving of vehicles and ambient physical factors (dust, noise, vibrations, rain and floods, explosions, etc.). Kumar and Paul [30] also noted hazards such as high-risk driving behavior, failure to respect instructions and procedures, as well as work in limited spaces.…”

Statistical analysis of coal mining safety in China with reference to the impact of technology

“…Around the globe, legislation regulating the health and safety of mine workers, including requirements for risk assessment, is increasing (Joy, 2004). Risk assessment is the scientific process that characterizes the nature and magnitude of health risks to humans and ecological receptors from chemical contaminants and other stressors that may be present in the environment.…”

A model for the implementation of industry-wide knowledge sharing to improve risk management practice

“…Each of the Australian states has implemented their own legislation for mining safety, although not all have moved away completely from compliance requirements, and there is no overarching federal legislative framework in place as yet (Cliff, 2012a). Joy (2004) describes the initial years of implementation of risk management approaches in Australian mining, which was accompanied by the introduction of duty of care and workforce representation and involvement, collectively driving the significant changes to safety management.…”