The high importance placed on mining induction training and proper familiarisation of on-site mining environments was made abundantly clear in a recent safety report by the Department of Mines and Petroleum in WA.
The report highlighted “new starters” as the biggest risk in terms of accidents and fatalities.
Over 60 per cent of the deaths involved on-site procedures not being followed correctly
The department investigated all 52 fatalities in mining between 2000 and 2012 and found nearly fifty per cent of them involved “cleanskins’ or workers taking up new, unfamiliar roles.
Safety director Simon Ridge told The Australian this week that the findings reinforced the importance of mining induction training and familiarisation with new mine site environments.
“This drives the point home that we must always apply known precautions to known hazards and, where new tasks, machines or processes are being introduced, detailed hazard analysis and risk assessment should be carried out,” he said.
The report also highlighted the role of first year supervisors in being fully aware of safety procedures and risks and the need to monitor their workers closely, as they were involved in 44 per cent of the cases.
“most accidents happened five hours into workers shifts”
Over the 13 years most accidents happened five hours into workers shifts (day and night), at the end of day shift and around 3am on night shift.
“Although the sample size in our study is relatively small, these incident times seem to align with the very times when employees may be fatigued and more prone to making errors,” Mr Ridge said.
“That’s why it’s crucial for employers and employees to understand the importance of meal and rest breaks in improving energy and concentration, particularly every four hours during the common 12-hour shift.”
The main causes of all incidents included;
- incorrect use of fall arrest equipment
- procedures not being followed
- run-away vehicles
- vehicles over edges and collisions
- electrocution
- rock falls and pit wall failures
- water in-rush; and
- tyre handling
WA’s Pilbara accounts for 33 percent of mining job incidents
Pilbara iron ore sites accounted for a third of all incidents (35 surface, 17 underground), while over fifty per cent occurred at gold and nickel mine sites.
The 13-year study found the most prevalent occupations involved in incidents included;
- fitters (nine fatalities)
- haul truck operators (five fatalities) and technicians
- drivers; and
- jumbo operators (4 fatalities each)
Employment had risen by 60,000 workers in that time,�and improved training procedures and an employer emphasis on safety as a first consideration, have resulted in a much safer industry in recent times, but the risk of complacency is always a threat, so finding the best advice and correct mining induction training is paramount.
Invest in training first!
At iMINCO we can’t emphasise enough that you invest in training first! – no matter what you hear, the reality is you want to make it as easy as possible for an employer to hire you and that’s the bottom line. Why would an employer hire someone with little-to-no training, or�without any idea of the culture or safety requirements of a mine site?
“Completing your mining training and being mine ready to step on site gives you a distinct advantage and shows an employer exactly how keen and willing you are to succeed at a career in mining….realistically it gives them confidence you are a good investment.”
Applying for a job fully qualified absolutely gives you a winning edge! You may have a tough road ahead of you as a newbie looking for entry level mining jobs, however ensuring you’re qualified upfront certainly improves your chances of getting a look in.
Mining Training Courses – One of Australia’s leading mining training organisations
Industry Pathways is a Registered Training Organisation with a fantastic reputation in the mining and resource sector for delivering safety training, especially the Mining Induction Training course. That’s why we recommend completing your initial and ongoing resource sector training with them. They are often seen as one of Australia’s leading mining training organisations with many HR professionals looking at qualifications through Industry Pathways very favourably.
They have designed all their courses with mining needs in mind and offer real insights into what its like like to work on a mine site. After consultation with mining, resource and energy employers, their courses target what employers want. Their nationally recognised courses are widely renowned within the industry for teaching you what you need so you can be a valuable asset to an employer.
Industry Pathways is highly focused on�safety “� and unlike many other training organisations, they don`t have a churn and burn mentality. They truly believe in end-to-end support from the first contact to Post Training Job Support. They are there to help you with your career pathway and journey, to help you transition from student to employee.
They offer you best-practice training and the unique no-cost Post Training Job Support network to help you on your job hunt with resume help, mining and resource company research tips, employment leads and best practice job searching tips. For more information on training courses, call Industry Pathways on [email protected].
Reference: Mining Induction Training Is A Life Saver