Lesson 2 – Safety

SHEQ Policy

As a Gold Producer, EGM (MPC) Mines are committed to continual improvement through the implementation and maintenance of integrated Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality Systems.

To achieve excellence in sustainable development and promote a SHEQ Culture, it is our policy to:

  • Prevent ill health and injury to persons working for and on behalf of EGM (MPC) Mines and the community that surround us.
  • Protect the surrounding environment in which we work from any impact that may arise from our operations, and applying the principle of sustainable development.
  • Continually improve our Safety, Health, Environment and Quality performance systems.
  • Mine a product that consistently meets the requirements of our customers.

 

OUR COMMITMENT WILL BE ACHIEVED BY:

  • Ensuring that this policy is communicated and understood by all persons working for and on behalf of EGM (MPC) Mines.
  • Complying with all applicable legislative and other requirements including organisational requirements and standards.
  • Developing a SHEQ Culture by improving our employees and contractors’ SHEQ Awareness and skills by holding them accountable for SHEQ Performance in their areas of responsibility through competency training and assessments.
  • Ensuring that all SHEQ Risks and Impacts associated with exploring, extracting and producing of our product are identified, evaluated and controlled according to a well maintained SHEQ Management Plan. Also considering the risks on our operation and environment as a result of community activities bordering our operations. Promote employee communication and participation in the prevention of injuries and ill health.
  • Setting objectives and targets for continual improvement of SHEQ and production performance, and regularly reviewing the set objectives and targets.
  • Monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of the SHEQ performance by conducting regular audits, inspections and management reviews.
  • Conserve natural resources and focus on the prevention of pollution by reducing the environmental burden of waste generation and emissions to the air, water and land through strategies focused on the reduction, re-use and recycling and appropriate deposition of waste.
  • Planning, operation and closing of operations in a manner that promotes sustainable development.
  • Engaging and communicating with stakeholders, with due regard and respect for local interests, cultures and customs, and contribute meaningfully to the economic, social and educational well being of the communities in which we operate.
  • Review this policy annually for continued suitability.

 

Risk Management Definitions

The terms used to describe events, which could or do result in unintended harm are INCIDENT, ACCIDENT and NEAR MISS.

 

A practical definition of each term is as follows:

  • INCIDENT : an Inadequately Controlled or Unplanned Event, which could or does result in harm, not only to people, but also to processes, company property and the environment.  

There are two types of incidents:  Accident Type Incidents and Near Miss Type Incidents.

 

  • ACCIDENT TYPE INCIDENT: This type of Incident is an unplanned event which results in harm, damage or loss.

   Incidents do not only relate to injuries.  Injuries are only one consequence of an Incident.

 

  • NEAR MISS TYPE INCIDENT : This type of Incident is an unplanned event that could have resulted in harm, damage or loss.

   Near misses must be used to learn from and therefore must be investigated thoroughly.

 

 

Reporting of Near Misses

What is the Purpose of reporting a Near Miss?

  • To Pro-Actively prevent minor occurrences from escalating into more severe incidents by implementing preventative actions established from previous Near Miss Incidents.
  • By sharing the information from the Investigations into Near Miss Incidents we empower Teams with knowledge on how to avoid a re-occurrence of the Incident.
  • Significantly reducing the frequency and severity of more severe incidents.

 

Reporting of Incidents

Why do we Report and Investigate Incidents?

  • Incidents are investigated to put preventative measures in place and determine key learnings
  • The root causes of Incidents are identified and lessons shared with other Related Sites
  • So doing, we ensure repeat Incidents are prevented and costs related to incidents are reduced
  • Incident investigations determine whether you need to revise:

– COPs / Procedures / Standards / Systems

– Conduct new Risk Assessments or implement new Systems

 

Safety Behavioural Observations (SBOs)

Why do we need to observe the safe behaviour of our employees?

  • It demonstrates your commitment to Safety and Visible Felt Leadership.
  • It focuses everyone’s attention on Safety and creates good Safety Habits.
  • It shows how well Safety Rules are understood and applied in the workplace.
  • It indicates where Systems are working well and if they are practical to use.
  • It helps identify weaknesses in Systems, Processes and Procedures.
  • It helps clarify Safety Standards and ensures employees understand how to apply them.
  • It raises awareness of Safety Issues, at risk behaviours and dangerous situations.
  • It identifies areas or specific tasks where people take risks and short cuts.
  • It prevents Incidents that can result in Property Damage, Injuries or even Fatalities.
  • It is used in conjunction with Sect 23 of the MHSA

How to Conduct a Safety Behavioural Observation.

Remember: SBO’s can be done on both Unsafe Work and Safe Work Practices

Observing Unsafe Work:

  • Safely stop any unsafe behavior that was observed.
  • Introduce yourself and explain why you stopped the work.
  • Explain the potential consequences to doing the task incorrect.
  • Engage the person in conversation on how to do the job safely.
  • Express your concern for his/her safety.
  • Focus on effects – not acts.
  • Question to explore & learn – not to lecture.
  • Get commitment to work safely in future.
  • Thank the person for his/her valued co-operation.

Observing Safe Work:

  • Introduce yourself and explain what you are doing.
  • Commend them on the safe act/condition
  • Engage the person in conversation about job safety aspects.
  • Thank the person for their efforts and commitment to working safely .
  • Get commitment to continue safe behavior.

Planned Task Observations (PTOs)

What is a Planned Task Observation?

A PTO is a step by step checklist based on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for a specific task against which the employee is assessed for capability and compliance.

 

Why do we need to conduct Planned Task Observations?

  • PTO’s are conducted to continuously evaluate employees performance levels.
  • To establish employee’s training needs and correct poor or incorrect behaviour.
  • It is a communication and coaching tool.
  • To determine adequacy of Procedures and Standards.
  • To identify whether Risk Assessments require revision.

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Risk Assessments

What is the Difference between Risk Management and Risk Control?

 

Risk Management is defined as:

  • Identification of Hazards;
  • Assessing the Risk resulting from the hazard; and
  • Developing systems to Control the Risk.
  • These systems should be aimed at Controlling the risk as defined by the MHSA and should support the Managing of Risk on a day to day basis

 

 

Why do we need to conduct Risk Assessments?

  • To eliminate injuries and create a safer working environment
  • To empower the workforce by improving employee knowledge and skills
  • Reducing costs by improving the quality of work
  • Legal compliance
  • Proper management plans

Risk Assessments Definitions

 

RELEVANT DEFINITIONS

A risk assessment involves identifying the hazards present in work activities.

 

This is followed by an evaluation of the extent of the risk involved:

  • A HAZARD is something that has the potential to cause HARM. This includes substances, machines, methods of work or other aspects of work organization;
  • RISK is the LIKELIHOOD that the harm from a particular hazard will occur;
  • The extent of the risk depends on not only the severity of the harm to a person but also the number of people who will be harmed.

 

Risk therefore reflects both the likelihood that the harm will occur and its severity in terms of the degree of harm and the number of people harmed.

 

Risk Assessments should be conducted before:

  • Performing daily routine tasks such as Pre-use Checks or Safe Declarations.
  • Non-routine tasks where Hazards and Risks need to be identified.
  • “Once off” tasks such as starting up a new working place.
  • When changes are made to systems, work methods equipment and machinery.
  • When significant threats/incidents are identified.

Types of Risk Assessments

 

There are three forms of Risk Assessment that form part of a Safety Management System and needs to be carried out in mines:

Baseline Risk Assessments: (Complete Mine Scope Assessment)

  • Mines must conduct an in-depth comprehensive risk assessment study to assess their major risks and to establish their priorities for a program for future risk control.
  • These risk assessments should be periodically reviewed to ensure that it is still relevant and accurate.

 

Issue Based Risk Assessments: (System for the management of change)

  • An additional risk assessment will need to be carried out when, for example:
  • A new machine is introduced into a mine;
  • A system of work is changed or operations alter;
  • After an accident or a ‘near-miss’ has occurred;

 

Continuous Risk Assessments: (Part of day to day risk management)

  • Examples of continuous risk assessment includes:
  • Inspections and audits;
  • planned task observations and pre-work assessments using checklists

 

4 Steps to Safety

Before attempting to perform any task, always ask yourself the following questions!

 

What job am I about to do?

What Tools do I need for the job?

What can happen….  or….

What can go wrong?

What will I do when these things happen?

 

Why use the 4 Steps to Safety ?

  • It ensures that I focus on the task to be performed.
  • It determines what tools, equipment or procedures are needed to perform the task safely.
  • Its a process to determine possible hazards or risks associated with the task and what the impact will be.
  • It helps determine what actions will be used to reduce the possible risks.

Life Preserving Rules

1.ZERO HARM TO PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT:  Every person on site has the right and the responsibility to stop any unsafe act or condition immediately.

2.TIME ALLOCATION:  No person shall induce an unsafe act or condition by rushing work. There is always enough time to complete the work safely.

3.PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE):  Appropriate PPE shall be worn at all times.

4.COMPLIANCE WITH PROCEDURE:  Where procedures exist, all persons shall adhere strictly to the provision and order of tasks.

5.ISOLATION:  Protective equipment and isolation requirements shall be met as per the SHEQ Isolation Procedure.

6.WORKING AT HEIGHTS:  Proper fall protection shall be in place when working from 2.0 m and higher.

7.MOBILE EQUIPMENT:  No person shall operate a vehicle unless authorised to do so.

8.BEHAVIOUR:  No person shall endanger another through ill-disciplined acts and behaviour; ie, horseplay, alcohol or drug abuse, displaying and use of dangerous weapons, etc.

9.PERMIT TO WORK:  Where required, NO person shall perform work without the proper permit to do so.

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