HEALTH AND SAFETY •
However , year-to-date , 2023 ( as of the end of September ), there have already been 14 FOG-related fatal accidents . Alarmingly , FOGrelated incidents now constitute 38 % of all fatal injuries , which is a significant regression in our FOG prevention performance .
A resilient safety system This brings us to a critical realisation that – in our pursuit of achieving robust safety and reaching the ultimate goal of ZERO HARM it is imperative to establish , introduce and consistently maintain a resilient safety system . Historically , when we witness improvements in a particular area , there ' s a tendency to reduce the resources dedicated to that area and reallocate them elsewhere , driven by the finite nature of our resources . This is how we selfrationalise the reallocation of resources . However , the consequence of such resource reallocation is that the issue tends to resurface once the focus is shifted away .
A classic example of this is evident in safety campaigns . To execute a safety campaign successfully , meticulous planning is required involving specific actions and resource allocation to ensure the desired outcomes are achieved . In fact , resources are often increased to guarantee that the campaign unfolds as intended . Emphasis is placed on short-term control measures with structured reporting sessions in place to ensure the campaign plan is executed precisely as designed .
Typically , a well-planned and effectively executed campaign can yield the desired results . However , a fundamental challenge arises from the inherent nature of campaigns – they have a defined start and end date and require substantial energy and additional resources to maintain focused attention . When a campaign concludes , there is also often a tendency for circumstances to revert to their pre-campaign state . In cases where some campaign requirements have been integrated into standard operating procedures and it becomes an inherent part of systems , there may be a slight improvement in the original situation , followed by stabilisation at that level . The duration before things return to their pre-campaign state depends on how deeply the campaign ' s message has been ingrained in the systems . If the energy and resources driving the campaign are withdrawn , the focus tends to shift as well , unless a deliberate decision has been made to adopt the campaign ' s principles as the new standard going forward .
Designing for ZERO HARM If a leadership decision is made to embrace the goal of achieving ZERO HARM ; it is essential that the design of the work aligns with this objective . This alignment involves determining what activities will be permitted and what will not , defining acceptable levels of risk and clearly specifying what risks will be entirely intolerable within the established risk profile . Once these decisions are transparent and well-defined , the necessary systems must be developed to facilitate and reinforce the leadership decision . These systems ensure that resources are meticulously planned and allocated to uphold the chosen path of ZERO HARM and support the subsequent design considerations . When a robust system is firmly in place to bolster a ZERO HARM design , it becomes the foundation for cultivating the desired behavioural outcomes .
Recruiting for ZERO HARM The first behaviour outcome is directly tied to determining who is eligible to work at your operations and who is not . In essence , when the right pre-evaluation and recruitment procedures are diligently followed , and clear leadership guidance is provided regarding the prerequisites for entry , individuals who pose a risk to your business can be prevented from gaining access . Therefore , before an individual passes through the gate , they must , from both a psychological and physical standpoint , align with the necessary profile . This profile entails understanding the potential exposure to risks , comprehending the work requirements and being capable of responding in a manner that upholds the principles of ZERO HARM .
Skilling for ZERO HARM The second step , once an individual is permitted to be part of the business ' s operations , involves equipping them with the requisite knowledge and skills necessary to appropriately address the hazards and risks they will encounter in their work .
The process of extracting ore from the earth and preparing it for processing involves high-energy conditions . Consider the sheer volume of material that must be initially broken down into smaller pieces , to first access the orebody , when mining the orebody , for ease of transport , followed by further reduction until the valuable material can be extracted from the host rock . Consequently , frequent human interaction with high-energy sources is a constant reality .
Additionally , the natural environment introduces its own variables , such as geological features and the presence of potentially harmful gases within the host rock . These factors contribute to changing conditions , necessitating responses in line with safe working practices . Adapting to these changed conditions often requires the implementation of new controls . Sometimes , these controls are not part of the initial design and must be developed on the go , relying on the experience of skilled workers . It is during these critical moments , where time is of the essence , that well-trained and skilled employees are capable of making the right decisions . •
About the author Philip Coetzer is a mining engineer registered with ECSA and holds a mine manager ’ s COC . Starting off his career in 1984 as a learner official in the Anglo-American Gold and Uranium division , he worked his way through the ranks to the mine shaft manager position . Philip moved from gold to platinum mining in 1999 at Anglo Platinum to start up the Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine , and was involved with direct mine production management up to 2007 . In 2008 he moved to the Safety , Health , Environment and Risk portfolio . He was the president of the Association of Mine Managers of South Africa in 2017 and is currently the president of the Asocciation of Mine Safety Professionals of South Africa . Philip serves on several structures at the Minerals Council of South Africa and the Mine Health and Safety Council and is currently the Head : SHER of Impala Bafokeng .
Supplied by Philip Coetzer www . africanmining . co . za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • January 2024 • 53