Unlocking Potential - Fortescue Metals Group Ltd

Section 44 training is “a
game changer” understanding of their roles and
In April 2011 Fortescue
determined that all
supervisory personnel would
be appointed in line with
Section 43/44 of the Mines
Safety and Inspection Act.
Through its HSES team Cloudbreak
has provided support for this training
to other Fortescue sites as a means of
ensuring consistency for this training
across our business.
The course provides an insight
into the responsibilities and
accountabilities of roles for both
Fortescue staff and contractors and
more than 1,050 personnel have
been trained so far. Participants
have found the training both
comprehensive and enjoyable,
providing them with a great
responsibilities.
Hierarchy road rules
On 7 November 2012, Cloudbreak’s
road rules are changing from WA
road rules to hierarchy rules in
Cloudbreak’s active mining area.
The change is being made
to provide a safer operating
environment due to the narrow
line of vision operators have from
their machinery.
Hierarchy road rules comprise:
• A dump truck will always have
right of way unless there is an
emergency vehicle with lights
and sirens activated
• When two or more dump trucks
are at an intersection, give way to
the left-hand side at all times
Other feedback and actions have
demonstrated that a culture change
has commenced in supervisory
management, as personnel begin to
understand and come to grips with
their roles and responsibilities. This
can only auger well for the future of
Fortescue.
A very pleasing aspect of the training
has been the incredible take-up
by our contractor partners on the
various sites and their ongoing
requests for the program to roll out
through their own companies.
For more information about
the course please contact the
Safety team at Cloudbreak
safetyadmincloudbreak@fmgl.com.au.
• Ancillary surface mining
equipment (SME) must give way to
haul trucks at all times
• Light vehicle gives way to SME at
all times
• The only time WA road rules apply
is when two light vehicles are at
an intersection, otherwise the
hierarchy rule will apply.
A comprehensive training and
communications package has
been developed for all drivers/
operators working in Cloudbreak’s
active mining area, with training to
commence in July 2012
Cloudbreak Mining Manager Richard
Kerrison is overseeing the transition.
“We are doing this with the aim
of introducing a different system
of work to reduce and eventually
eliminate near miss interactions
between heavy and light vehicles,”
said Richard.
“One of our greatest sportswomen,
Vicki Wilson, once said if you
always do what you’ve always
done, you will always get what you
always got.
“And this is true, we need to do
something different to manage our
traffic interaction within the active
mine.
“It is a completely new system of
work for us. We acknowledge this
is a big change, which is why we’ve
started to build awareness and
understanding early.”
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Some rave reviews for
Section 44 training:
It was one of the most
informative sessions I have
been on regarding mine
regulations. Great job! The
team should get a lot from
the training. - Ron
This was one of the most
useful courses attended
at FMG since 4 years and
a bit. The reason is simply
the empowerment received
at the end of the course
and I believe that this
course should not only be
directed to Supervisors or
“Appointed Persons” but all
employees! - Juan
This course is a game
changer. - Wayne