This transcript is intended to let you skim the material.  If you’ve only got a few seconds – skim to the bottom for the summary and suggested action steps.

Speaker 1 (Peter Standish): Thanks for your interest in following up on our Critical Minerals Safety Poster. Today, you’ll hear from three experts from the AusIMM Health and Safety Committee as we delve deeper into the content of that poster. I’m Peter Standish, the lead consulting director for Risk Mentor, and I’ll be guiding this discussion. But first, let’s hear from our other experts. Nikki, would you like to introduce yourself?

Speaker 2 (Nikki Labranche): Hi, I’m Nikki Labranche from the University of Queensland. I lead the Dust and Respiratory Health Programme within the Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre, and I’m also the Chair of the AusIMM Health and Safety Society. My primary focus is on dust and respiratory health within the mineral industry.

Speaker 1: Thanks, Nikki. Darren, over to you.

Speaker 3 (Darren Head): Thanks, Peter. I’m Darren Head, with 20 years of experience in health and safety, following a career as a chief geologist. My particular interest is in organizational culture and critical risk management, especially understanding those hazards that can have significant impacts.

Speaker 1: Great. So, let’s dive into the critical risks associated with critical minerals, particularly for companies looking to develop new operations, whether open-cut or underground. Darren, do any particular risks stand out for you?

Speaker 3: All the risks are relevant, but a key aspect is understanding the specific hazards unique to your operation. For example, if your deposit involves radioactivity, that must be part of your critical management protocols. It’s essential to identify and focus on the key hazards with laser-like attention.

Speaker 1: Nikki, anything you’d like to add?

Speaker 2: From a respiratory health standpoint, Darren made a good point about radioactive material. Additionally, exposure limits for some critical minerals are decreasing, which is another factor to consider. It’s crucial to understand how the unique aspects of your operations influence the risks and hazards you face.

Speaker 1: That’s an important message. One common risk across many operations is mobile equipment. It’s often an afterthought, but statistically, it’s the number one killer in surface and underground mining—large equipment colliding with light vehicles or pedestrians. Ensuring proper controls for this and other risks, like falls from heights and energy control, is critical.

Moving on to the process of identifying critical risks and required controls, Darren, you’ve mentioned the importance of a rigorous approach. Can you elaborate?

Speaker 3: Sure. In the industry, risk assessments have been done both extremely well and poorly. A well-done risk assessment deeply understands the subject and logically breaks down potential failure modes and controls. It’s vital to avoid duplicating existing controls or developing solutions for non-existent problems.

Speaker 2: Exactly. When critical risks go wrong, it’s often due to organizational choices, not just day-to-day site operations. A thorough risk assessment at the organizational level is essential.

Speaker 1: Absolutely. The cultural approach to safety and risk management is crucial. Darren, you also mentioned the importance of involving a broad range of people in these discussions. Can you expand on that?

Speaker 3: It’s a mistake to limit these discussions to just the safety manager and engineers. Engaging a wider range of opinions, including those who might ask “silly questions,” is essential. This not only leads to effective controls but also gets people engaged in the safety journey.

Speaker 1: That’s a great point. Moving on, Darren, you’ve developed a diagram to illustrate the concept of focusing on the critical few risks. Can you explain this further?

Speaker 3: The idea is to concentrate on the critical few risks that matter most. Using the Pareto principle, we know that 80% of problems often stem from 20% of the issues. By focusing on these critical few, we can significantly reduce the complexity of managing health and safety.

Speaker 1: That’s a powerful message. I’ve seen organizations lose focus by concentrating too much on high-frequency, low-consequence issues while neglecting major risks like underground explosions or tailings dam failures. It’s crucial for decision-makers to prioritize these critical few.

Let’s talk about critical controls and the importance of verifying their effectiveness. Darren, would you like to start?

Speaker 3: It’s crucial that everyone, not just the safety or risk manager, understands and verifies that critical controls are working. This verification process is a daily responsibility and should be a part of the organization’s safety culture.

Speaker 2: Especially when contractors are involved, it’s important to ensure that controls are in place and functioning as intended. Contractors may bring their own procedures, so it’s essential to align these with the site’s safety protocols.

Speaker 1: Great points. For new operations, especially in the critical minerals space, relying on contractors is common. Ensuring that everyone on site, including contractors, follows the same safety protocols is vital.

Finally, let’s wrap up with some key takeaways. Nikki, what would you like listeners to remember?

Speaker 2: This discussion just scratches the surface, but it highlights the importance of understanding and implementing critical controls. I recommend checking the ICMM documents and ensuring that the right people are involved in safety planning.

Speaker 3: I’d add that it’s essential to distill your controls down to the critical ones and then verify their effectiveness regularly. It’s easy to build a system, but the real work is in ensuring those controls continue to work as intended.

Speaker 1: Thanks, Darren and Nikki, for your insights. To everyone listening, remember that getting the basics right and focusing on the critical few can make a huge difference in your operation’s safety. We’ll be producing a transcript of this discussion along with a synopsis and suggested action items. Feel free to contact us for more information. Thanks for your attention.

Summary and Action Steps

Summary: The discussion centered around identifying and managing critical risks in the critical minerals industry. The experts emphasized the importance of understanding unique hazards, particularly for new operations. Key risks include mobile equipment collisions, radioactive materials, and respiratory hazards. The conversation highlighted the need for a thorough and rigorous risk assessment process, focusing on the critical few risks that can have the most significant impact. Involving a broad range of stakeholders in safety discussions and verifying the effectiveness of critical controls were also underscored as essential steps in maintaining a safe operation.

Action Steps:

1. Conduct a Thorough Risk Assessment:
   • Identify and understand the unique hazards specific to your operation.
   • Focus on the critical few risks that have the most significant impact on safety.
   • Involve a broad range of stakeholders, including those who may have unconventional perspectives, to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
2. Develop and Implement Critical Controls:
   • Specify, implement, and monitor critical controls rigorously.
   • Ensure that all personnel, including contractors, understand and adhere to these controls.
   • Regularly verify the effectiveness of controls to ensure they function as intended.
3. Engage in Continuous Learning and Improvement:
   • Utilize resources like the ICMM documents to guide your safety practices.
   • Learn from past incidents and apply those lessons to your operations.
   • Foster a safety culture where everyone is engaged in the safety journey and understands the importance of critical controls.
4. Prioritize Safety in Decision-Making:
   • Ensure that safety considerations are at the forefront of operational decisions, especially when there are competing pressures like production goals.
   • Recognize that while managing lower-level risks is important, the focus should remain on preventing major incidents that could have catastrophic consequences.