Work Health Safety Risk Assessment - Surface Mining

Running head: Work Health Safety Risk Assessment
Work Health Safety Risk Assessment
-Surface mining
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1WHS Risk Assessment
Introduction:
In the mining industry, the workers are exposed to many types of hazards. Given
below is the risk assessment for a Surface Mining industry in Australia. Permission was
sought before the assessment was conducted, and in the assessment 5 key tasks in the surface
mining operation was analyzed to identify the hazards linked with each of them, and the
likelihood of each risk actually happening. The control measures that are used in the
prevention of accidents due to the identified hazards are also outlined in the assessment.
Task or
Scenario
Hazard/s Associated
harm, eg.
What could
go wrong?
Existing Risk
Controls
Curre
nt
Risk
Ratin
g
Use
risk
matri
x
Any
Additio
nal
controls
are
required
?
Residu
al Risk
Rating
Use
the
Risk
Matrix
Surveying Falling
from a
height
Physical injury Using properly
constructed
scaffolds
Rare No Rare
Drilling Inhaling
dust and
asbestos,
Noise,
falling
from the
edge of
bench,
entrapment
Silicosis, ear
damage/deafn
ess, physical
injury due to
fall and
entrapment
Using
protective
gear including
masks to trap
fine dust,
using scaffolds
and
harnesses, ear
covers/protec
tors
Likely Yes Likely
Explosives Misfires Injury due to Planning Unlikel Yes Possibly

2WHS Risk Assessment
and
accidental
detonation
flying debris
and even
death
explosions
and done by
trained
professionals
y
Loading Falling
debris,
mechanical
failure,
fires,
dragline
electrocuti
on, rope
failure,
toppling of
plant
Accidental
injuries and
even death
Using
protective
gear, safety
harness,
scaffolds, and
fire
preventative
equipments.
Also frequent
assessment
and inspection
of all safety
equipments
and
harnesses.
Regular safety
drills.
Almost
Certain
Yes Almost
Certain
Transporti
ng
Equipment
and
transporter
failure, lack
of visibility
in and
around the
vehicle,
noise,
rollover,
vibrations,
dust,
movement
of vehicles,
falling
debris
Physical injury
and accidents,
silicosis due to
dust
inhalation,
postural
difficulties,
hearing
problems and
injury due to
falling debris.
Using safety
equipment,
properly
securing
vehicle while
loading,
setting up
proper route
for the vehicle
for
transportation
, properly
securing the
load, using
protections
for ear and for
nose and
mouth
Likely No Possible
Ventilation
problems
Asphyxiation,
loss of
consciousness
Using proper
berating
equipment
and proper
ventilation
systems
Likely Yes Possible

3WHS Risk Assessment
Hazard Identification:
The different hazards identified I the surface mining operation are: a) Silicosis and
respiratory diseases due to inhalation of dust in the mines; b) falling debris while drilling,
loading and transporting materials; c) entrapment due to falling derbies or overturned
vehicles; d) loud noise of machinery, explosives and drilling operations e) electrocution f)
accidental explosions or detonations g) fire h) limited visibility i) equipment and mechanical
failure j) falling from height k) ventilation problems (Halldin et al., 2015; Nasarwanji, 2016;
Seedorff et al., 2015; Bapat, 2016)
Risk Identification:
The various risks that can happen due to the hazards present in an surface mining
operation includes the following: a) respiratory damage due to dust b) physical injury due to
entrapment or falling debris c) hearing problems due to noise d) injury die to accidental
explosions e) death (Diami et al., 2016; Hendryx, 2015)
Risk Assessment:
Risks of each hazards were also identified as: a) Dust: almost certain b) falling debris:
Likely c) entrapment: Possible d) loud noise: Almost Certain e) electrocution: Rarely f)
explosions: Unlikely g) fire: Possible h) limited visibility: Likely i) equipment failure:
Possible j) falling from height: Rarely. k) asphyxiation and breathing problems due to poor
ventilation: likely (Nakazawa et al., 2016;
Risk Control Measures:
Various risk control practices are used in the mining operation to ensure safety of the
miners, it includes: a) safety gear for protection against dust and noise b) safety harnesses to
prevent accidental falling c) Using proper scaffolding to prevent falling debris d) using