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Foreword with Dmitry Przhedetsky – Mine safety at times of economic crisis

In the process of reading through statistics of old mining industry reports – I noticed that regardless of the time period chosen, the graph of fatal accidents and lost time injuries has been consistently variable. The trend line changes direction every three to five years, seemingly not in proportion to any other indicators.

Whatever the reasons for these variations, from a mine safety perspective, there is a need to look at all possible reasons which may contribute to any inconsistencies in the level of fatal and other injuries sustained in our mines.

Currently, in the broader community, we can see a great level of concern about the future due to the ongoing economic crises and this may adversely affect workers’ behaviour in all industries. There is no doubt that the mining industry is more exposed to risk today as a consequence.

There are many examples of changes in human behaviour in times of a global downturn, such as a noticeable increase in shoplifting, credit fraud and false insurance claims just to mention a few. There is also a higher injury and accident risk at mines due to psychological, rather than mining engineering or maintenance factors. I believe that during difficult economic times it is feasible to consider that workers may become:

  • more stressed
  • depressed and/or anxious
  • ore aggressive or passive/lethargic
  • more likely to engage in risk taking behaviour
  • less focused and present minded
  • more reliant on medications, drugs and/or alcohol.

According to practicing psychologist, Susanne Sorelle-Uebergang, the reason that there are few statistics on the correlation between accidents and industry output, is that reliable, valid and meaningful statistical analysis can be problematic in this area. She thinks it is better to rely on longitudinal studies or anecdotal evidence in an attempt to find possible reasons as to why accidents in the mining industry occur.

There are numerous factors involved in accidents which occur at above average danger work situations, and some of these can be put under the heading of ‘human error’ as opposed to machinery malfunction or maintenance factors. At times of economic difficulty, workers’ concentration may be at a much reduced rate and/or be affected by various substances.

We also need to consider that some individuals may be so depressed or unwell that they contemplate (consciously or unconsciously), or actively plan and express self-harming behaviour, which can manifest itself as some type of “mishap” or accident. Sorelle- Uebergang, has noticed a substantial increase in these types of behaviours over the last few years across a range of industries. I would argue that the possible solution to this problem lies in our humanistic response. The safety books will not work if they are not implemented sufficiently well and they need to be more logic and consistent.

At the same time, mine workers are exposed to both the mining boom and the global economic crisis, and we also have an enormous rotation in the industry. Perhaps for the first time in Australian history there are groups of experienced miners working alongside significant numbers who have just entered the industry.

We have a massive amount of people joining the industry from other, sometimes very dissimilar industries. Mining companies and contractors are hiring labourers from overseas, often from countries with different cultural traditions and OHS practices. How are these circumstances being reflected in the safety procedures?

Computer run inductions and random drug tests are necessary, but don’t we need a humanitarian approach? It is logical, that the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council has started its Ten Platinum Rules with these two:

  1. Remember you are working with people
  2. Listen to and talk with your people

We also need to be more logical with the rules we are creating.

“Can anyone tell me why such a simple, but extremely important thing as an emergency phone number is always different from mine to mine? Would not it be easier to make it just “000” or, say, “777” throughout the whole industry?”

In the final analysis, perhaps one of the most important questions to consider is how to create a downward movement in the trend line of ‘number of persons killed or seriously injured’ in the mining industry, so as to hit ‘zero point’ and freeze there forever, regardless of the overall economic situation and demands.

Dmitry Przhedetsky
M ENG (MINING),
FAUSIMM FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF ROCK COGNITION PTY LTD

PROFILE
DMITRY PRZHEDETSKY

Dmitry Przhedetsky’s experience and knowledge base covers a broad range of minerals – from iron ore to salt mining, from underground coal to uranium mining and from quarrying to tunnelling. Dmitry has been involved in many major international mining projects and worked in all States and Territories of Australia as well as New Zealand, New Caledonia, USA, Canada, India, Germany, France, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. For many years Dmitry has been providing consulting services to investors, government officials, equipment manufacturers, and the broader community. Dmitry has contributed papers to many Australian and international mining media, covering a variety of topics – from mine safety to hydrogeology and from mining equipment to business development.

Contact Dmitry at dmitry@ rockcognition.com.au

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