Digging Deeper on Safety

ROGER BUCKLEY summarises some of the key aspects of the Digging Deeper study on safety issues in the NSW resources industry.

THE 2007 Digging Deeper study on safety in the New South Wales resources sector conducted by the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) provides a comprehensive understanding of the safety issues facing the resources industry in that state.

Whilst the research covered all sectors of the industry – metallic, coal and extractives, large, small, local and international, there were several key themes identified that were independent of the sector and applicable to all. They apply equally to Victorian extractive operations as well.

FIRST STEPS TO ACTION

Making the workplace healthy and safe is the ultimate goal shared by management and employees alike. The Digging Deeper project found that it is not lack of knowledge that is holding the industry back from achieving the goal, but a lack of action. To make the workplace healthy and safe, there is no substitute for taking action to make the workplace healthy and safe. The Platinum Rules codify the fundamental steps everyone should take to more effectively manage OHS. How you apply them will depend on your role in the industry, but everyone should endeavour to identify where the gaps are and work to fill them. Th e Platinum Rules are a good place to start.

CMPA WORKSHOPS HELP ACHIEVE BEST PRACTICE OHS

The project concluded that the best way to apply the Platinum Rules was for industry to work cooperatively with all stakeholders, across companies and regions, reinforcing the need for local action and getting the basics right.

This is what the CMPA Workshops on key OHS issues, such as the recent ones on guarding and dust, aim to achieve.

The project also focused on some key issues.

• Production bonus and safety incentive schemes that involve payment in exchange for achieving particular outcome targets were found not to consistently or reliably improve safety outcomes. The often significant money involved in such schemes often lead to distortion of reporting and short cuts. A best practice OHS management system works, not because of extra money, but because it is “the right thing to do”. Incentive schemes in the future should focus on measurable improvement and contribution to OHS outcomes.
• Hours of work and fatigue management. Whilst this was found to be an issue in NSW, with the extractive industry sector averaging 50.3 hours per week, with management and professional positions working longer hours than those in blue collar and administrative roles, the Victorian situation in this area is a little different. The 2004 joint study by CMPA, DPI, AWU and EIAV on Fatigue in the Victorian Extractive Industry identified that whilst there were some areas of concern, it was overall not an issue for the workforce or management. This is still a potential OHS issue and should be taken into account when developing an OHS management system for a site. The NSW MSAC has just released their guide to fatigue management which can be downloaded at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/safety/worl-leading-ohs
• OHS management systems and consultation. Areas that need to be addressed include:
  • focusing on a systematic approach to OHS management, rather than adherence to a specific OHSMS;
  • improvements in consultation and participation by the workforce;
  • controlling risks at source;
  • applying resources to OHS;
  • seeking good advice; and
  • monitoring performance through auditing, feedback and review.

CMPA’s tailored checklists for various mobile and fixed plant together with issues resolution forms provide a cheap and effective start to a systematic approach to OHS management.

Improving OHSMS and consultation relies on a strategy that builds effective local action supported by clear and accessible information.

The Victorian OHS Act does place considerable emphasis on effective consultation.

Don’t forget that if you need some advice on OHS at your site, CMPA in conjunction with WorkSafe will help to organise a free OHS assessment of your operation. Contact the CMPA Secretariat if you are interested.

More details on the Digging Deeper project are available from the NSW Department of Primary Industries website at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/minerals/safety/consultation/digging-deeper

THE PLATINUM RULES

1. Remember you are working with people:
   – Don’t exhaust them
   – People aren’t machines
   – Treat them with dignity and respect
2. Listen to and talk with your people:
   – Be inclusive
   – Do it frequently
   – Value and develop people skills in supervisors and managers
3. Fix things promptly:
   – Don’t let issues fester
   – Keep people informed of progress
4. Make sure your paperwork is worth having:
   – Keep it current
   – Make sure it’s meaningful
5. Improve competence in OHS:
   – Particularly at management levels
6. Encourage people to give you bad news:
   – Canaries are the most important workers in a mine
7. Fix your workplace first:
   – Before even thinking about the bells and whistles
8. Measure and monitor risks that people are exposed to:
   – Don’t just react to incidents: fix things before incidents happen
   – Control risks at their source
9. Keep checking that what you are doing is working effectively:
   – Are you achieving what you think you are?
10. Apply adequate resources in time and money

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