Risk assessment resource launched by Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee

Commissioner for Resources Safety and Health and chair of the advisory committee Kate du Preez said the Risk assessment education resource was designed to help improve the way risks are managed in the mining and quarrying industry and how critical controls are considered and verified.

“The Risk assessment education resource will promote better safety and health outcomes for people working in Queensland’s mineral mining and quarrying industry by providing practical examples of effective risk management,” Kate said.

“The resource outlines the process for developing effective risk assessments and covers two of the most common tools used for operational risk assessments—the workplace risk assessment and control technique and the bowtie analysis.

“It also discusses the identification of controls and how to evaluate the effectiveness of those controls, as well as major hazards and critical controls.

“Finally, the resource provides example templates for mineral mines and quarries to use in their own operations and example risk assessment for the management of vehicle/mobile plant interactions.”

Kate said the Risk assessment education resource was developed after the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee identified a need to improve the quality of operational risk management in the mineral mining and quarrying industry as part of its five-year strategic plan.

“In developing the resource, the advisory committee engaged an independent technical expert experienced in conducting risk assessments, identifying hazards and critical controls, and providing risk management services in the resources industry,” she said.

"The resource is a great first step for operations looking to improve their risk assessment process."

The Risk assessment education resource was launched by the Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee at its Vehicle interaction safety forum held in Brisbane on 12 July 2023.