2018 Conference Presentations

Prof Ismet Canbulat – Professor and Chair of Rock Mechanics, The University of New South Wales

ABSTRACT

There is an increasing trend to use multimedia visuals as tools in training to enhance learning process, which help to better present the concepts and contents. In 2017 ACARP initiated a project to develop new advanced videos to update the geotechnical awareness and training video (i.e., Black Gold) for open cut coal mines utilising the latest technology in animation and visualisation.

The benefits of these videos are:
• They are powerful as they empower employees and improve productivity and safety
• They are cost-effective; when developed, they can be used by all operations and mines
• They save time in training, providing more learning in less time
• They can be deployed quickly and efficiently
• They offer a consistent experience
• They are flexible (i.e., deploy, stop, rewind, forward etc)
• They give more time to geotechnical engineers to fulfil their other day-to-day duties

Two distinct modulus, one for the operators and supervisors and the other one for the technical service teams, have been developed in the project.

These videos focus on the following aspects:
1. Operational hazard identification and control
2. Mining practices and associated impact on geotechnical aspects
3. Geotechnical processes and systems
4. Role of geotechnical engineers
5. Equipment capabilities

This presentation summarises the development of Geotechnical Hazard Awareness and Training Videos for the open cut coal mining industry.

Philippa Dodshon – PhD Student and Researcher, Sustainable Minerals Institute

ABSTRACT

Serious incidents continue to occur in high risk industries such as mining. Irrespective of work undertaken the majority of incidents seem to be repeats of previous similar incidents. The ICMM reported the main reasons we are continuing to see fatalities, serious injuries, and high potential incidents is due to risks not being properly identified, controls not being put into place, or controls not being effectively implemented or maintained. The ICMM developed a critical control risk management (CCRM) program that focuses on identifying and managing those controls critical to preventing catastrophic and fatal events.

Many companies in the mining industry are currently implementing this process. An important aspect of any risk management program is investigating and learning from events in order to improve the control of hazards. However incorporating or embedding the CCRM approach is not explored or explained in the ICMM guideline documents.

This presentation describes an investigation process that enables practitioners to identify ways organisations can further enhance the effectiveness of their risk controls. It specifically enhances an organisations ability to assess the effectiveness of human (the acts) and organisational (the systems) risk controls after an incident occurs. It will also discuss findings from pilot case studies done with several mining companies and sponsored by the MCA.

Cristian Sylvestre – Managing Director, HabitSafe

ABSTRACT

Queensland Mines and Energy initiated in March 2008, a review of the role of human factors in mining incidents and accidents in Queensland.

What followed was the largest independent and most comprehensive study of a portion of mining incidents across all classes of mining in Queensland.

This presentation will recount the findings of the study and what lessons for leadership are present. It will explore the presence of human factors, the most abundant factor and the role leadership played in these incidents. It will also explore the strengths and weaknesses of the data set, so a balanced view is presented.

Importantly, the paper will present how to move forward with these findings and offer research supported steps leaders can take to reduce the impact of the most prevalent human factors.