Integration of OHS into Risk Management in an Open-Pit Mining Project in Quebec (Canada)

Abstract

Despite undeniable progress, the mining industry remains the scene of serious accidents revealing disregard for occupational health and safety (OHS) and leaving open the debate regarding the safety of its employees. The San José mine last collapse near Copiapó, Chile on 5 August 2010 and the 69-day rescue operation that followed in order to save 33 miners trapped underground show the serious consequences of neglecting worker health and safety. The aim of this study was to validate a new approach to integrating OHS into risk management in the context of a new open-pit mining project in Quebec, based on analysis of incident and accident reports, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and collaborative field observations. We propose a new concept, called hazard concentration, based on the number of hazards and their influence. This concept represents the weighted fraction of each category of hazards related to an undesirable event. The weight of each category of hazards is calculated by AHP, a multicriteria method. The proposed approach included the creation of an OHS database for facilitating expert risk management. Reinforcing effects between hazard categories were identified and all potential risks were prioritized. The results provided the company with a rational basis for choosing a suitable accident prevention strategy for its operational activities.

The Challenge of Integrating OHS into Industrial Project Risk Management: Proposal of a Methodological Approach to Guide Future Research (Case of Mining Projects in Quebec, Canada)

“…Among the reasons cited for this situation are gaps in the data and knowledge that would be required in order to identify and evaluate correctly all of the risks involved. The complexity of some projects introduces additional constraints on the consideration of OHS in the management of potential risks [6,7]. This article puts into perspective the complexity of the challenge of integrating OHS into industrial project risk management.…”

Development of the unified technique for the monitoring of occupational hazards at Kryvbas mining enterprises (Ukraine)

“…The authors [4][5][6] note that the safety of every employees is the problem of: -economic; -social value. Therefore, safety issue must be in the center of attention of specialists of all the structural units and services of an enterprise.…”

“…In [4][5][6] health, safety and security management issues are examined. The authors [4][5][6] note that the safety of every employees is the problem of: -economic; -social value.…”

“…The authors [4][5][6] have noted that the creation of a unified system of indicators in the field of occupational health and safety is to improve national labor laws and improve…”

De-Icing of aircraft: Incorporating business risks and occupational health and safety

“…Some are attempting to meet these challenges for conventional processes in the manufacturing sector (Rebelo et al [33], Oliveira [34]). Solutions have been explored in the construction and mining sectors (Badri et al [35], Badri et al [36,37], Badri et al [38]). …”