Risk assessment for haul truck-related fatalities in mining

• Published in: Mining Engineering Vol. 60; no. 3; pp. 43 - 49
• Main Authors: Md-Nor, Z A, Kecojevic, V, Komljenovic, D, Groves, W
• Format: Journal Article Trade Publication Article
• Language: English
• Published: Littleton Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc 01.03.2008
• Subjects: Coal mining; Fatalities; Mines; Mining accidents & safety; Mining industry; Occupational safety; Risk assessment; Risk management; Strip mining; Workers
• ISSN: 0026-5187

Risk management is an established loss-control methodology that has been applied successfully in many industries. Recently, interest in this structured approach has grown in the mining industry. The main objective of this research was to develop a risk-assessment process, which is a part of risk management, that can be used by the U.S. mining industry to more thoroughly characterize risks associated with haul truck-related fatalities. The assessment is based on historical data obtained from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) investigation reports, which includes 113 fatal incidents that occurred from 1995 through 2006. The risk-assessment process used in this research involves the following basic steps: identification of the risks, risk analysis and risk evaluation. The preliminary hazard assessment (PHA) method is used in identifying and quantifying risks. Risk levels are then developed using a pre-established risk matrix that ranks them according to probability and severity. The resulting assigned risk value can then be used to prioritize control strategies. This paper is a part of a detailed study on risk assessment for equipment-related fatalities in mining sponsored by the Western U.S. Mining Safety and Health Training and Translation Center.