Risk Assessment In Surface Mining Industry: Hazards, Risks, And Control Measures

Analysis of hazards, risks, and control measures in surface mining industry

Discuss about the Work Health Safety Risk Assessment.

In the mining industry, the workers are exposed to many types of hazards. Given below is the risk assessment for a Surface Mining industry in Australia. Permission was sought before the assessment was conducted, and in the assessment 5 key tasks in the surface mining operation was analyzed to identify the hazards linked with each of them, and the likelihood of each risk actually happening. The control measures that are used in the prevention of accidents due to the identified hazards are also outlined in the assessment.

Task or Scenario	Hazard/s	Associated harm, eg. What could go wrong? Save Time On Research and Writing Hire a Pro to Write You a 100% Plagiarism-Free Paper. Get My Paper	Existing Risk Controls	Current Risk Rating Use risk matrix	Any Additional controls are required?	Residual Risk Rating Use the Risk Matrix
Surveying	Falling from a height	Physical injury	Using properly constructed scaffolds	Rare	No	Rare
Drilling	Inhaling dust and asbestos, Noise, falling from the edge of bench, entrapment	Silicosis, ear damage/deafness, physical injury due to fall and entrapment	Using protective gear including masks to trap fine dust, using scaffolds and harnesses, ear covers/protectors	Likely	Yes	Likely
Explosives	Misfires and accidental detonation	Injury due to flying debris and even death	Planning explosions and done by trained professionals	Unlikely	Yes	Possibly
Loading	Falling debris, mechanical failure, fires, dragline electrocution, rope failure, toppling of plant	Accidental injuries and even death	Using protective gear, safety harness, scaffolds, and fire preventative equipments. Also frequent assessment and inspection of all safety equipments and harnesses. Regular safety drills.	Almost Certain	Yes	Almost Certain
Transporting	Equipment and transporter failure, lack of visibility in and around the vehicle, noise, rollover, vibrations, dust, movement of vehicles, falling debris	Physical injury and accidents, silicosis due to dust inhalation, postural difficulties, hearing problems and injury due to falling debris.	Using safety equipment, properly securing vehicle while loading, setting up proper route for the vehicle for transportation, properly securing the load, using protections for ear and for nose and mouth	Likely	No	Possible
	Ventilation problems	Asphyxiation, loss of consciousness	Using proper berating equipment and proper ventilation systems	Likely	Yes	Possible

The different hazards identified I the surface mining operation are: a) Silicosis and respiratory diseases due to inhalation of dust in the mines; b) falling debris while drilling, loading and transporting materials; c) entrapment due to falling derbies or overturned vehicles; d) loud noise of machinery, explosives and drilling operations e) electrocution f) accidental explosions or detonations g) fire h) limited visibility i) equipment and mechanical failure j) falling from height k) ventilation problems (Halldin et al., 2015; Nasarwanji, 2016; Seedorff et al., 2015; Bapat, 2016)

The various risks that can happen due to the hazards present in an surface mining operation includes the following: a) respiratory damage due to dust b) physical injury due to entrapment or falling debris c) hearing problems due to noise d) injury die to accidental explosions e) death (Diami et al., 2016; Hendryx, 2015)

Risks of each hazards were also identified as: a) Dust: almost certain b) falling debris: Likely c) entrapment: Possible d) loud noise: Almost Certain e) electrocution: Rarely f) explosions: Unlikely g) fire: Possible h) limited visibility: Likely i) equipment failure: Possible j) falling from height: Rarely. k) asphyxiation and breathing problems due to poor ventilation: likely (Nakazawa et al., 2016;

Various risk control practices are used in the mining operation to ensure safety of the miners, it includes: a) safety gear for protection against dust and noise b) safety harnesses to prevent accidental falling c) Using proper scaffolding to prevent falling debris d) using adequate lighting to ensure proper visibility d) regular inspections to ensure all devices are working properly e) regular checking of all devices related to drilling, loading and transportation f) regular drills for safety practices g) training the personnel on safety practices h) appointing workplace safety representative from the workforce (Maiti et al. 2014)

The process of risk analysis was documented based on the various hazards that were present in the workplace, along with the risks each of these hazards posed, and the likeliness of each of these risks of occurring. Also the control measures of these hazards were also outlined. The overview is aimed to provide an overall understanding of the risks faced by employees of a mining company in a surface mining operation.

Importance of safety protocols and compliance reports in workplace safety

The monitoring and reviewing of the workplace safety was implemented through reports of incidents of workplace safety issues, like accidents. The reports provided vital information regarding each incident, the factors and personnel associated with it, its possible causes and effects. Also, reports from the regular inspection can also help to monitor the performance of each equipment, and help to decide when equipment might need replacement. Compliance reports also are important to monitor whether safety practices are being adhered to by the employees.

In the mining operation, most of the employees are exposed to one form of hazard or another. However, the maximum hazards are faced by the miners who have to work inside the mines, often under dangerous circumstances, exposing them to the risks of falling debris, accidental fires, explosions, and physical injuries. Additionally, the drilling operations lead to an increased risks of inhaling dust particles, which can lead to silicosis. The miners are also at risk of many other types of accidents such as fires inside the mines or acc8idental discharge of explosives. During the mining operation, the miners can also get trapped inside the mines or under falling debris made loose by the explosives. Also, loading and transportation of the materials and operation of heavy drilling machinery can also lead to to accidental injuries, caused by malfunctioning equipment, or equipments not adequately secured. The miners are also prone to risks from falling from heights while surveying the mining sites and while drilling and extracting the product. This makes it necessary, that every miners are given adequate protection against any sort of injuries caused by the risks. The risks are particularly high for miners with physical disabilities such as hearing or visual disability. Due to this additional precautions are needed for them.

Safety measures such as using safety equipments in the form of masts, protective gear, safety harnesses and scaffolds are important consideration to ensure miner safety. Moreover, it is ensure that all safety instrument are always functional and deployable in emergence. This can be done through frequent inspections and testing of equipments, and quality checks. Moreover, ensuring that the miners follow the proper safety protocols can ensure only the safe work practices are being used, and enforced by the management. Training for the miners can also ensure an increased awareness of the safe practices as well as emphasize the focus of thaw organization towards employee safety. Appointing safety representatives from the miners is an important consideration since it allowed the safety concern of this group to be represented to the management, and improve communication between the management and the miners. Also, a safety representative can also foster a safe working practice through helping the miner’s training program. Reporting on safety incidents is needed, since it allows the management to keep a track of hazardous incidents, and device methods to prevent them.

Different agencies involved in insurance of workplace safety

Different agencies are involved in the insurance of safe work environment for workers in different work settings. The safety guidelines are outlined in Work Health and Safety policies, make the business owners accountable for the safety of their employees. For mining industries, the following policies under “Safety At Work” guidelines are applicable:

1. Working in Confined Spaces: This policy identifies confined spaces as dangerous due to poor ventilation conditions and can cause loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, fire and explosion. The policies are bound by the framework of Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Work Health and Safety (Confined Spaces) Code of Practice 2011. The outlines include entry permit protocols for confined spaces, and methods towards the identification of hazards, managing the risks and preventing the hazards. The policy also outlines measures for monitoring the safety in the closed environment and communication methods. Additionally, safe exit strategies from confined spaces and proper methods of using signs, signposts and barricades for confined spaces have also been outlined. Emergency procedures which can be utilized in case of accidents can also be found in the working in confined space policy (worksafe.qld.gov.au, 2018; accesscanberra.act.gov.au, 2018).
2. Work safe Act: This is an overall policy that includes the many legislations: Work Health and Safety Act 2011; Machinery Act 1949; Scaffolding and Lifts Act 1912; Dangerous Substances Act 2004; Fuels Control Act 1979; Dangerous Goods (Road Transport Act) 2009; Long Service Leave Act 1976; Workers Compensation Act 1951. These acts are all applicable in a mining industry. This is mainly because a) they are exposed to hazard that jeopardizes their health and safety b) the work includes usage of heavy machinery c) usage of scaffolding and lifts for the transportation of materials in and out of mines d) usage of explosives e) usage of fuels to power machinery f) usage and transportation of explosives g) industrial injuries due to which long leaves might be needed and compensation required (worksafe.qld.gov.au, 2018; accesscanberra.act.gov.au, 2018).
3. The government of Queensland also outlines the different codes of practice for workplace health and safety. For surface mining, the following codes might be applicable: Abrasive blasting code of practice 2013; Confined spaces code of practice 2011; Excavation work code of practice 2013; First aid in the workplace code of practice 2014; Hazardous manual tasks code of practice 2011; How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace code of practice 2011; How to manage work health and safety risks code of practice 2011; How to safely remove asbestos code of practice 2011; Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work code of practice 2011; Managing risks of plant in the workplace code of practice 2013; Managing the risk of falls at workplaces code of practice 2011; Managing the work environment and facilities code of practice 2011; Mobile crane code of practice 2006; Safe design of structures code of practice 2013; Scaffolding code of practice 2009; Work health and safety consultation, co-operation and co-ordination code of practice 2011 and Workplace health and occupational hygiene issues (accesscanberra.act.gov.au, 2018.

Conclusion:

Assessment of the risks and hazards in a surface mining operation showed that the miners are frequently exposed to several hazards in their day to day life. The significant hazards include the risks of inhaling dust and asbestos and causing respiratory diseases. Also, the work involves working in confined spaces and with heavy equipment, under unstable environmental conditions. This increase risks of falling debris, accidental electrocution, explosion and hearing problems. However, the miners who have physical disabilities are most at risk of these hazards. It is important therefore to ensure adequate safety measure in the form of safety equipment, safety monitoring and inspection and reporting of incidents. Following the safety protocols outlined by the legal frameworks provide a binding obligation of the business owners to ensure the safety of the employees and also places accountability on the employees to practice safe working strategies.

References:

.worksafe.qld.gov.au (2018). Best practice review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. Avaiolable at: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/best-practice-review-of-workplace-health-and-safety-queensland. Accessed on: April, 26, 2018.

accesscanberra.act.gov.au (2018). Safety at work. Available at: https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/list/st/5/p/4866/page/4. Accessed on:  April, 26, 2018.

Bapat, A. D. (2016). Surface mining activity and its environmental impact on land and water resources (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pune).

Diami, S. M., Kusin, F. M., & Madzin, Z. (2016). Potential ecological and human health risks of heavy metals in surface soils associated with iron ore mining in Pahang, Malaysia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(20), 21086-21097.

Halldin, C. N., Reed, W. R., Joy, M. G. J., Colinet, M. J. F., Rider, M. J. P., Petsonk, E. L., … & Laney, A. S. (2015). Debilitating lung disease among surface coal miners with no underground mining tenure. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine/American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 57(1), 62.

Hendryx, M. (2015). The public health impacts of surface coal mining. The Extractive Industries and Society, 2(4), 820-826.

Maiti, J., Singh, A. K., Mandal, S., & Verma, A. (2014). Mining safety rules for derailments in a steel plant using correspondence analysis. Safety Science, 68, 24-33.

Nakazawa, K., Nagafuchi, O., Kawakami, T., Inoue, T., Yokota, K., Serikawa, Y., … & Elvince, R. (2016). Human health risk assessment of mercury vapor around artisanal small-scale gold mining area, Palu city, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 124, 155-162.

Nasarwanji, M. F. (2016, September). Contributing factors to slip, trip, and fall fatalities at surface coal and metal/nonmetal mines. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting (Vol. 60, No. 1, pp. 1666-1670). Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.

Seedorff, E., Richardson, C. A., Maher, D. J., Pennell, W. M., & Garside, L. J. (2015, May). Fault surface maps: Three-dimensional structural reconstructions and their utility in exploration and mining. In New concepts and discoveries: Proceedings, Geological Society of Nevada Symposium (Vol. 2, pp. 1179-1206).