The University of Queensland to hold forum on high reliability organisations

Dr Sean Brady’s recent Review of all fatal accidents in Queensland mines and quarries from 2000 to 2019 recommended that resources companies adopt the principles of high reliability organisations (HROs) as part of their journey towards improved safety and health outcomes.

Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health Kate du Preez said that, while many resources industry operations had already started their journey towards adopting HRO characteristics, the industry was still very much learning about how the principles could be applied.

“To help in the exploration of these issues, I am pleased to support an expert forum on the subject of HRO principles which is being hosted by The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute,” Kate said.

Kate said the free forum would be held in-person and online on Thursday 25 March and would explore the 34 year history of HRO research, as well as delving into key practical issues including:

• the role of leadership in entrenching a culture of high reliability
• implications for regulators
• coupling innovation with high reliability
• measuring reliability
• developing a HRO roadmap.

“The forum will draw on research leaders from across The University of Queensland's schools of psychology, business, and law, as well as from subject matter experts from within the Sustainable Minerals Institute,” she said.

“The purpose of the forum is not to tell you how to manage safety, rather, it is about providing practical knowledge to allow the industry to continue its safety journey.

“The aim is to provide additional tools and inspiration to assist in the ongoing process of a gap analysis—to understand where your organisation currently stands, what you are already doing well and where the missing pieces are—as well as providing practical steps that can be taken to accelerate along the path towards adopting HRO characteristics in your organisation.

“We will hear from experts from across many fields who will offer many unique perspectives on how HRO theory can be adopted and adapted to the resources industries and I urge everyone involved in safety and health in the resources industries to register.”

The forum will be held on Thursday 25 March from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm at Customs House, 399 Queen Street, Brisbane and via Zoom.

Registrations close on 18 March. Click here for more information and to register.