COMMUNICATING AND MITIGATING RISK IN THE MINING WORKPLACE

by Dr. Douglas Sweeney

Course Presenters Schedule General information

Summary

Events in the mine workplace encompass accidents, incidents, environmental excursions, First Nations issues and community outrage.  Increasingly, in recent decades, the occurrence of such events has brought under scrutiny the social license to operate and reputational capital of the mine operators. Their investigation in the first instance is a matter of statutory compliance and due diligence, however to truly appreciate something of the organizational context in which they occur has become a common refrain from the perspective of effective management systems. Thus, through the back-analysis of events in the mine workplace we are afforded the opportunity to examine the collective ethos of error that is enabling of events that are deleterious to the enterprise of mining.

Background

This course will challenge the way you see accidents and incidents within the mine workplace. The subject matter is candid, thought provoking and a sobering reminder of the consequences of the enterprise of mining when entrepreneurial zeal trumps generally accepted engineering practices. Contextualized by the historical record of industrial disasters within the 20th century, this course examines case studies of mining and oil and gas disasters that shocked a generation and shaped the regulatory landscape that has been its legacy. The Sunshine Mine, Balmoral Mine, and Westray Mine disasters are examined from the perspective of risk and human error, as are the Piper Alpha and Ocean Ranger platform disasters.
Analysis of these case studies is through the lens of cognitive error and risk communication. This course will provide the tools and insight that enable the participant to objectively evaluate, classify and mitigate risk in the mine workplace. Firmly grounded in modern theories of accident investigation, cognitive science and human error analysis, the participant of this two day course will experience through the medium of documentary and docudramas the compelling decisions and circumstances that ultimately lead to tragedy and disaster in the mining industry. Although this course material transcends geographic and political boundaries, a uniquely Canadian (if not British Columbian) perspective on standards of care and conduct in the workplace will be presented that is respected around the world.

Key Concepts

Participants of this course will become familiar with, and appreciative of, cutting edge concepts of injury prevention and risk management such as risk homeostasis, mission criticality, operational integrity, organizational creep, self organized criticality and the normalization of deviance. Benefiting from the understanding of the elements comprising due diligence and duty of care, participants will gain perspective and insight into the back analysis (investigation) of events within the mine workplace in terms of risk, and its acceptability. Participants will come away with clarity and certainty regarding the roles and responsibilities of the various workplace parties and strategies in demonstrating due diligence and social responsibility.

Pre-Course e-Learning

Prior to the course, registered delegates are provided with an internet url, user name and password. This enables them to access online e-learning material from EduMine consisting of two introductory courses titled Environmental Health and Safety - Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Health and Safety - Emergency Response Planning, authored by Ralph Gunness. These online courses provide delegates with important background material, which increases their understanding and appreciation of the classroom course. Review of this material prior to the course, including completion of the interactive reviews, enables delegates to derive maximum benefit from the live sessions.

UBC Certificate in Mining Studies

This course qualifies for the UBC Certificate in Mining Studies, a continuing education initiative by the Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining at the University of British Columbia. Delegates who (1) register for the Certificate in Mining Studies, (2) complete online certification in the required EduMine e-learning modules, (3) attend this course, and (4) complete a take-away project will receive credit towards a Mining Certificate from UBC Continuing Studies. more details »

Who Should Attend?

Everyone will benefit from this course. Persons that will benefit in particular are mine management and supervision, engineers wishing to understand the socio-technical aspects of risk, and professionals with statutory and compliance responsibilities. The course material is equally relevant to the disciplines of health and safety, the environment and mine operations. Participants will be provided with synopses of case studies, worksheets for cognitive profiling events, and the latest in legal decisions and case precedents.