Strategic Directions for Developing the Occupational Safety System at SUEK-Khakassia LLC

Context and Challenges: Safety in Mining

Ensuring safety at open-pit mining enterprises is a complex task that requires a comprehensive approach. When working with heavy machinery, complex logistics routes, and constantly changing mining and geological conditions, traditional control methods often prove insufficient. Eduard Putintsev, HSE Director at SUEK-Khakassia, shares the company's experience in finding a balance between operational efficiency and occupational safety.

Training and a Risk-Based Approach

The speaker notes that one of the key areas of development is personnel training. The company has implemented a risk-based thinking training program developed jointly with NIIOGR. The goal of the program is to teach employees to recognize risks in their workplaces, manage them, and respond to hazardous situations in a timely manner. Importantly, the program is based on real factors and risks at the company's enterprises, while also taking into account the experience of other organizations.

To improve the quality of training, there are plans to expand the personnel training and development center. Increasing the space and the number of training simulators (including those for Chinese machinery) will enhance the capacity and efficiency of practical sessions.

Critical Risk Management and Behavioral Audits

The presentation details the approach to managing critical risks. The company has identified the main critical risks for open-pit mining enterprises and is developing barriers to minimize them. The effectiveness of these barriers will be regularly evaluated.

Behavioral safety audits have become an important tool. Following personnel training at the end of 2023, the number of audits conducted increased significantly. Many unsafe acts and conditions were identified, but most importantly, valuable feedback was received from employees in the form of hundreds of safety improvement suggestions.

Digitalization and Technical Solutions

Using the implementation of modern technologies as an example, the speaker demonstrates how digitalization helps reduce risks. Mining transport equipment is equipped with sensors, and workers with tags, which prevents people from entering hazardous zones. The data is integrated into the Karyer (Quarry) system, providing online monitoring for dispatchers.

Other technical solutions include:

• Modernization of fire extinguishing systems: online transmission of system performance data (cylinder pressure, integrity) to the dispatchers' control unit.
• Operator condition monitoring system: monitoring driver fatigue and attention.
• Hazardous zone visualization systems: using light indicators (Red Danger Zone) to mark the dimensions of excavators at night and surround-view systems for walking excavators.

Data Analysis and Interaction with Production

Eduard Putintsev emphasizes the importance of data analysis for evaluating the effectiveness of measures. The company analyzes the frequency of violations per employee depending on the level of personnel training. The violation elimination rate is also tracked, which directly correlates with the injury rate in specific areas.

Successful interaction with production departments is demonstrated by the example of widening narrowed road sections in the quarry. The initiative of production workers not only improves safety but also increases cargo flow, resolving conflicting goals.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to implement a risk-based approach in personnel training?
• Which digital solutions are most effective for preventing vehicle-pedestrian collisions in a quarry?
• How to use behavioral audits to get feedback from employees?
• How to analyze violation data to evaluate training effectiveness?
• How to find a balance between safety and productivity when designing quarry roads?