CMPA Guarding Workshop

Industry gather for the 4th CMPA Hazard & Risk Identification Workshop

Over 70 industry personnel gathered at Caterpillar Institute in Tullamarine for the Guarding Hazard & Risk Identification Workshop, incorporating a site visit to Readymix—Oaklands Junction.

Attendees arrived at Caterpillar Institute for registration and morning tea. Morning activities consisted of a briefing on the day’s activities by our dedicated MC, Jane Sims of Box Hill TAFE, followed by an introductory guarding presentation delivered by Bob Duncan of the Department of Primary Industries, and then the Readymix induction.

The attendees piled into two buses for the trip to Readymix – Oaklands Junction. A site tour of the impressive quarry was conducted via bus, with commentary and site history provided by knowledgeable Readymix volunteers.

At the conclusion of the site tour the attendees broke into ten predetermined groups, each specifically focused on either guarding and access to: Mobile Plant, Crushing Plant, Screens, Conveyors or Auxiliary Equipment.

Each group was required to identify not only the hazards and risks observed on site, but also any others they could think of, relating back to their own sites, personal experiences and prior knowledge.

After a decent amount of brainstorming time on site the attendees boarded the buses for the trip back to Caterpillar Institute for their well-deserved BBQ lunch.

The afternoon session began with a presentation updating attendees on the DPI Guarding Blitz, delivered by John Mitas of the DPI.

Attendees regrouped to review, discuss and combine their thoughts and ideas from their time on site into a listing of the major hazards and risks identified, along with possible controls for these hazards and risks. An elected group member presented the major issues discussed in their group to the attendees as a whole.

Brief presentations from Associate Sponsors Mike McCann of Terex Jaques and Neil Kinder of Kinder & Co followed, with the Workshop closing with afternoon tea.

The CMPA wishes to express its sincere appreciation towards those who assisted in the smooth running of the Workshop: Caterpillar Institute, particularly Raylene West and Kelly Smith, Readymix, DPI personnel and Jane Sims of Box Hill TAFE.

Thanks must also go to the ten team leaders who generously volunteered their knowledge and expertise to guide the groups through the hazard and risk identification process, encouraging all attendees to be involved. The group leaders ensured that the best possible results were obtained from each of the hazard and risk identification groups.

Special thanks also to the Associate Sponsors of the Workshop for their support and generosity. :

• Caterpillar Institute
• William Adams
• Kinder & Co
• PVL Engineering, and
• Terex Jaques

Without the funding and support provided by these Associate Members, such CMPA events would be unachievable.

On behalf of the CMPA and all attendees of the Guarding Workshop we would like to express our sincere appreciation towards Readymix for the effort to which the managers prepared and presented their company’s quarry site for our field visit. Clearly the planning, personal effort and commitment of the site personnel is reflective of the Oaklands Junction Quarry’s passion for excellence within the industry.

In particular thanks must go to David Jones, Guy Sibenaler and Greg Taylor Adams, for their eagerness and commitment in preparation for the event, and on the day.

Details of all group presentations were noted down, along with copies of group notes from the day’s activities being taken. These results will be combined by the CMPA to produce an OHS Support Document, similar to that produced from prior CMPA Workshops.

This documentation will be made available industry wide and free of charge in an attempt to assist Extractive Industry personnel in providing a safer and healthier workplace for their employees.

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