Surface Mining: A Comprehensive Work Health Safety Risk Assessment

This report presents a comprehensive work health safety risk assessment conducted for a surface mining operation in Australia. The assessment identifies key tasks within surface mining, analyzes associated hazards such as silicosis, falling debris, entrapment, noise, electrocution, explosions, fire, and ventilation problems, and evaluates the likelihood and potential harm of each risk. It outlines existing risk controls, including the use of protective gear, safety harnesses, scaffolding, and regular safety drills, and suggests additional controls to further mitigate risks. The report also documents the risk analysis process, focusing on hazard identification, risk assessment, and control measures. Furthermore, it discusses monitoring and reviewing processes, highlights particularly vulnerable groups within the workforce, and references key agencies and policies governing work health and safety in Australia, such as the Work Health and Safety Act and various codes of practice. The assessment concludes by emphasizing the importance of safety measures, adherence to legal frameworks, and the role of both employers and employees in maintaining a safe working environment.

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

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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

4WHS Risk Assessment
adequate lighting to ensure proper visibility d) regular inspections to ensure all devices are
working properly e) regular checking of all devices related to drilling, loading and
transportation f) regular drills for safety practices g) training the personnel on safety practices
h) appointing workplace safety representative from the workforce (Maiti et al. 2014)
Documentation of the process:
The process of risk analysis was documented based on the various hazards that were
present in the workplace, along with the risks each of these hazards posed, and the likeliness
of each of these risks of occurring. Also the control measures of these hazards were also
outlined. The overview is aimed to provide an overall understanding of the risks faced by
employees of a mining company in a surface mining operation.
Monitoring and Reviewing Process:
The monitoring and reviewing of the workplace safety was implemented through
reports of incidents of workplace safety issues, like accidents. The reports provided vital
information regarding each incident, the factors and personnel associated with it, its possible
causes and effects. Also, reports from the regular inspection can also help to monitor the
performance of each equipment, and help to decide when equipment might need replacement.
Compliance reports also are important to monitor whether safety practices are being adhered
to by the employees.
Especially Vulnerable Group in the Workforce:
In the mining operation, most of the employees are exposed to one form of hazard or
another. However, the maximum hazards are faced by the miners who have to work inside
the mines, often under dangerous circumstances, exposing them to the risks of falling debris,
accidental fires, explosions, and physical injuries. Additionally, the drilling operations lead to

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an increased risks of inhaling dust particles, which can lead to silicosis. The miners are also at
risk of many other types of accidents such as fires inside the mines or acc8idental discharge
of explosives. During the mining operation, the miners can also get trapped inside the mines
or under falling debris made loose by the explosives. Also, loading and transportation of the
materials and operation of heavy drilling machinery can also lead to to accidental injuries,
caused by malfunctioning equipment, or equipments not adequately secured. The miners are
also prone to risks from falling from heights while surveying the mining sites and while
drilling and extracting the product. This makes it necessary, that every miners are given
adequate protection against any sort of injuries caused by the risks. The risks are particularly
high for miners with physical disabilities such as hearing or visual disability. Due to this
additional precautions are needed for them.
Safety measures such as using safety equipments in the form of masts, protective
gear, safety harnesses and scaffolds are important consideration to ensure miner safety.
Moreover, it is ensure that all safety instrument are always functional and deployable in
emergence. This can be done through frequent inspections and testing of equipments, and
quality checks. Moreover, ensuring that the miners follow the proper safety protocols can
ensure only the safe work practices are being used, and enforced by the management.
Training for the miners can also ensure an increased awareness of the safe practices as well as
emphasize the focus of thaw organization towards employee safety. Appointing safety
representatives from the miners is an important consideration since it allowed the safety
concern of this group to be represented to the management, and improve communication
between the management and the miners. Also, a safety representative can also foster a safe
working practice through helping the miner’s training program. Reporting on safety incidents
is needed, since it allows the management to keep a track of hazardous incidents, and device
methods to prevent them.

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Key Agencies that Governs Work health and Safety and the policies that are relevant to
maintain a safe working environment:
Different agencies are involved in the insurance of safe work environment for workers
in different work settings. The safety guidelines are outlined in Work Health and Safety
policies, make the business owners accountable for the safety of their employees. For mining
industries, the following policies under “Safety At Work” guidelines are applicable:
a) Working in Confined Spaces: This policy identifies confined spaces as dangerous due
to poor ventilation conditions and can cause loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, fire
and explosion. The policies are bound by the framework of Work Health and Safety
Regulation 2011 and Work Health and Safety (Confined Spaces) Code of Practice
2011. The outlines include entry permit protocols for confined spaces, and methods
towards the identification of hazards, managing the risks and preventing the hazards.
The policy also outlines measures for monitoring the safety in the closed environment
and communication methods. Additionally, safe exit strategies from confined spaces
and proper methods of using signs, signposts and barricades for confined spaces have
also been outlined. Emergency procedures which can be utilized in case of accidents
can also be found in the working in confined space policy (worksafe.qld.gov.au, 2018;
accesscanberra.act.gov.au, 2018).
b) Work safe Act: This is an overall policy that includes the many legislations: Work
Health and Safety Act 2011; Machinery Act 1949; Scaffolding and Lifts Act 1912;
Dangerous Substances Act 2004; Fuels Control Act 1979; Dangerous Goods (Road
Transport Act) 2009; Long Service Leave Act 1976; Workers Compensation Act
1951. These acts are all applicable in a mining industry. This is mainly because a)
they are exposed to hazard that jeopardizes their health and safety b) the work
includes usage of heavy machinery c) usage of scaffolding and lifts for the

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transportation of materials in and out of mines d) usage of explosives e) usage of fuels
to power machinery f) usage and transportation of explosives g) industrial injuries due
to which long leaves might be needed and compensation required
(worksafe.qld.gov.au, 2018; accesscanberra.act.gov.au, 2018).
c) The government of Queensland also outlines the different codes of practice for
workplace health and safety. For surface mining, the following codes might be
applicable: Abrasive blasting code of practice 2013; Confined spaces code of practice
2011; Excavation work code of practice 2013; First aid in the workplace code of
practice 2014; Hazardous manual tasks code of practice 2011; How to manage and
control asbestos in the workplace code of practice 2011; How to manage work health
and safety risks code of practice 2011; How to safely remove asbestos code of
practice 2011; Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work code of practice
2011; Managing risks of plant in the workplace code of practice 2013; Managing the
risk of falls at workplaces code of practice 2011; Managing the work environment and
facilities code of practice 2011; Mobile crane code of practice 2006; Safe design of
structures code of practice 2013; Scaffolding code of practice 2009; Work health and
safety consultation, co-operation and co-ordination code of practice 2011 and
Workplace health and occupational hygiene issues (accesscanberra.act.gov.au, 2018.
Conclusion:
Assessment of the risks and hazards in a surface mining operation showed that the
miners are frequently exposed to several hazards in their day to day life. The significant
hazards include the risks of inhaling dust and asbestos and causing respiratory diseases. Also,
the work involves working in confined spaces and with heavy equipment, under unstable
environmental conditions. This increase risks of falling debris, accidental electrocution,
explosion and hearing problems. However, the miners who have physical disabilities are most

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at risk of these hazards. It is important therefore to ensure adequate safety measure in the
form of safety equipment, safety monitoring and inspection and reporting of incidents.
Following the safety protocols outlined by the legal frameworks provide a binding obligation
of the business owners to ensure the safety of the employees and also places accountability
on the employees to practice safe working strategies.

9WHS Risk Assessment
References:
.worksafe.qld.gov.au (2018). Best practice review of Workplace Health and Safety
Queensland. Avaiolable at:
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/best-practice-review-of-
workplace-health-and-safety-queensland. Accessed on: April, 26, 2018.
accesscanberra.act.gov.au (2018). Safety at work. Available at:
https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/list/st/5/p/4866/page/4. Accessed
on: April, 26, 2018.
Bapat, A. D. (2016). Surface mining activity and its environmental impact on land and water
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