MOBILE PLANT WORKSHOP
Donna Beaumont, CMPA
The CMPA successfully ran its first ever Mobile Plant Hazard and Risk Identification Workshop in Bendigo on Wednesday 9th March.
This was the second in a series of three Workshops, with the third Workshop, Fixed Plant Hazard and Risk Identification, to be held late in May in Southern Metro Melbourne.
The Mobile Plant Hazard and Risk Identification Workshop’s main aim was to assist attendees in the identification of all possible hazards and risks associated with the operation and maintenance of items of Mobile Plant.
With some 90 attendees from Metropolitan Melbourne and numerous regional areas around Victoria, the Workshop began with an early morning registration before a site visit to either EB Mawson & Son’s Lake Cooper Quarry or Allstone’s Newbridge Quarry.
On arrival at each site, the attendees were split up into their pre-determined groups to observe the quarry’s Mobile Plant items in operation. Between the two site visits there were ten groups of eight attendees associated with several different facets of Mobile Plant operations (Geological & Maintenance Considerations, Site Layout, Consumable Management, Servicing Machinery, Operation of the Excavator, Operation of the Loader, Operation of the Sales Loader & Operation of the Haul Truck)
Each group of attendees observed the Mobile Plant items in operation and in line with their individual group’s theme, were asked to identify the risks and hazards they observed, not only during their site visit, but those risks and hazards that they could relate back to their own Mobile Plant operations and experiences.
With the main task of the day completed, all attendees headed back on their relevant buses to The Foundry convention centre in Bendigo for lunch and a busy afternoon of presentations and Mobile Plant hazard and risk identification work shopping.
Jane Sims, Coordinator Industry Programs at Box Hill Institute of TAFE, graciously MC’d the afternoon’s proceedings, including a very visual presentation on Risk Identification and Management, presented by Graeme McLaughlan, Manager – Mining and Extractive Operations (Northern Region), Minerals and Petroleum Regulation, DPI.
Graeme’s presentation included a particularly thought provoking slide show, aptly titled Stairway to Heaven, of just some of the many Mobile Plant incidents that have occurred over the last few years. Graeme also briefly reviewed the new Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Act 2004 to help tie in with the Workshop’s objective of Mobile Plant Hazard and Risk Identification. Each team was then given time to workshop amongst themselves and compile a list of the top risks and hazards that they had identified through their observations at the Lake Cooper and Newbridge quarry sites.
After 30 minutes of teams busily reviewing and constructing their lists, each Team Leader was asked to present their findings to all Workshop attendees, with each of their findings to be recorded and documented for attendee feedback and as a resource for the CMPA to produce a second OHS support sheet for Mobile Plant Risk and Hazard Identification.
Some 80 points of risk and hazard identification made the finalised workshop list, ranging from risks and hazards associated with Mobile Plant communications, maintenance of units, qualifications of mobile plant personnel, traffic routes, ground conditions, site layout and personnel health and safety issues.
Stephen Rohrsheim of Zinifex, in South Australia, kindly gave a brief and apt speech about a fatal mobile plant incident at his site, and how the tragedy of the worker’s death highlighted the risks and hazards which had previously remained unidentified at their own site, along with the steps they took to prevent a similar type of incident from occurring again. Stephen Rohrsheim provided an appropriate example and summation as to why the Mobile Plant Hazard and Risk Identification workshop is an important tool in assisting industry workers to identify, assess and control the risks and hazards of their Mobile Plant equipment.
The Workshop concluded with a final 20 minute open forum where attendees were given the opportunity to raise further issues and seek advice from amongst their fellow quarry workers on risk and hazard identification and steps to controlling these factors within their own mobile plants.
The CMPA would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved with the running of the Mobile Plant Risk Identification Workshop. With special thanks going to EB Mawson and Sons and Allstone Quarries for the opportunity to visit and observe their quarries in action.
Thanks also to the sponsors for the day: William Adams and in particular special thanks to David Batson for his assistance in coordinating the Associate sponsors, CJD Equipment, GP Smith Equipment, Hitachi, Komatsu and Melroad Equipment.
Thank you to Graeme McLaughlan from DPI for his presentation and Jane Sims of Box Hill TAFE for her MC efforts.
Congratulations go to the CMPA for the organisation, coordination and delivery of the Workshop. Their contributions behind the scenes led to a very enjoyable, beneficial and smooth running event. A job well done!
The CMPA would like to express its sincere gratitude towards the 6 Associate Members who provided sponsorship for the Mobile Plant Workshop held on March 9th. Following are the comments provided by each Associate Member.
Commendations to the CMPA on their initiative in running a highly successful and informative Workshop. Too often this subject is treated with apprehension, particularly as operators and others on site are exposed to a wide variety of potential threats. The Workshop in a practical and methodical way assisted participants in the identification of hazards and their associated levels of risk. We are looking forward to the production of the Workshop outcomes for future reference. Well done.
R. Wilson, William Adams
The Workshop was very constructive in its format. It is important that we work together to be proactive rather than reactive for the good of the industry. Together we can continually improve & build a safer work place and environment for all, including the public, who can get caught up in industries as suburbia meets the industrial world due to population growth.
M. McIntosh, CJD Equipment
The organisers of the Mobile Plant Hazard Workshop are to be congratulated for their introduction of this concept of safety awareness. The approach taken by the plant personnel present was most impressive which will in turn cause us as a supplier to revisit our preparation procedures. It was a most informative day.
G. Smith, GP Smith Equipment
On behalf of Hitachi, I would like to thank the CMPA for the opportunity to participate in the Mobile Plant Workshop. Our compliments to the organisers for a well managed event. As a supplier to the industry, we are happy to participate in such events. It provides a good opportunity to mix with industry professionals and obtain feedback from end users.
P. Soderstrom, Hitachi
Last year Komatsu provided the facility for the Drilling Workshop. Such workshops involve a range of industry workers from manufacturers and suppliers, to end users including management, operators, service and maintenance personnel. The workshops deliver a broad spectrum of information that is collated into a useful OHS document. The Mobile Plant Workshop delivered further meaningful outcomes. Thank you for the opportunity to attend.
B. Jones, Komatsu
Thank you to Melroad Equipment for their sponsorship of the Mobile Plant Workshop. Unfortunately we cannot provide comments as Melroad were unable to attend, however we wish to express our sincere appreciation towards the team, in particular D McQuinn for their sponsorship & continual support of the CMPA.
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