Abstract
A model safety case has been prepared for Southern colliery, Queensland, Australia, with the use of methodologies developed in the upstream petroleum industry. The safety case provided a sound basis for preparation of the safety management plans defined in the Queensland approved standard, which are required for every Queensland mine following the inquiry into the explosion at Moura No. 2 mine.
A safety case is concerned primarily with the potential for technical safety failure that can lead to a major accident—not with occupational safety, a lack of which is the cause of most lost-time injuries. For this reason the concept of technical safety is redefined. One objective of the safety case is to link hazard management through to competencies and training. A second objective is that implementation should be part of periodic performance appraisal. A third objective is that key supervisors, who are responsible for technical safety, should own and update their safety case.
Because the mix of hazards and associated risks facing each mine is different, it is concluded that technical safety is best self-regulated. A well-structured safety case can formalize hazard management and prioritize actions. Assurance of technical safety requires that key tasks—to identify, assess and control hazards—are verified in turn. Audits of technical safety have often failed in the past and it is essential that line management systematically verify key hazard management tasks and tie this to competence assurance, performance appraisal, training and development.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.