Annual Meeting Preliminary Program - Full Brochure (PDF) - SME

TECHNICAL PROGRAM
Mining & exploration:
Management: Managing a culture of Safety
chair:
9:00 AM
Introductions
9:00 AM • Wednesday, February 27
E. Cullen, Safety Solutions International (SSI),
Spokane, WA
9:05 AM
Culture: What Does It Have to Do with CORESafetyÆ
B. Watzman; National Mining Association, Washington, DC
While there has been substantial progress in the statistical safety performance of
the U.S. mining industry since enactment of the federal Mine Safety and Health
Act in 1977, there remains significant disagreement regarding the appropriate role
of regulatory enforcement and the optimal approach to safety and health management
in the industry. In 2010 the NMA Board of Directors established a task force
to examine the obstacles, both internal and external, to overcome to achieve a goal
of zero fatalities and a 50 percent reduction in the rate of injuries in U.S. mining
within five years. Building on the experience of others, the system implements the
four phases of systems operation: plan, do check and act, but in a significant departure
from prior work, leadership development and culture enhancement are integrated
into a lead, manage and assure framework that is rooted in 20 operational
modules, each containing performance-based expectations.
9:25 AM
Assessing the Safety Culture of Underground Coal Mining
C. Kosmoski; NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research,
Pittsburgh, PA
The NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) recently conducted
safety culture assessments at five underground coal mines. Safety culture
is defined as the characteristics of the work environment (such as the values, rules
and common understandings) that influence employees perceptions and attitudes
about the importance that the organization places on safety. This project utilized
a mixed method approach consisting of 1) functional analysis of existing organizational
documents, 2) semi-structured, in-depth interviews, 3) behavioral anchored
rating scales (BARS), 4) a safety culture survey, and 5) behavioral observations.
Details regarding these methodologies will be presented along with
recommendations and guidance for others who may be interested in conducting
mine safety culture assessments.
9:45 AM
Extract Your Full Leadership Potential: The Mining Institute for
Supervisor Leadership (MISL)
E. Lutz; College of Public Health, The University of Arizona,
Tucson, AZ
Mining is about people. Successful mining operations are built from strong leaders
at all levels of the organization. The J. David Lowell Institute for Mineral
Resources (IMR) at the University of Arizona has gathered the expertise of top
leaders in mining to provide the Mining Institute for Supervisor Leadership
(MISL). This unique program is the only mining-specific, cross-organizational,
mentored leadership institute of its kind in the world. Each participant in the
MISL program gains skills in effectively leading miners using techniques that balance
safety with optimized operations. Limited to 24 participants, the activelearning
and intensive 2-day course includes topics, such as: culture-specific communication,
legal responsibilities, conflict resolution, etc., continuing with
6-months of one-on-one mentoring on a worksite leadership project. Participants
return to present their 6-month projects and then become leadership mentors for
the next 6 month cycle. Loss of leadership is significant threat to maintaining and
driving forward production and safety goals. Proactive development of our future
leaders is paramount.
10:05 AM
Measurement Before Management: How to Assess a Companys
Safety Culture
L. Guasta; Safety Solutions International, Inc., Parker, CO
Safety Solutions International, Inc. (SSI) is led by former Assistant Secretary of
Labor and head of MSHA, Dave Lauriski, also a 40-year mining veteran who is
recognized throughout the world for his leadership skills and knowledge in safety
and health systems management. In this presentation a SSI staff member will discuss
how to assess a companys safety culture and develop and implement a culture
enhancement plan. Emphasis will be given to the importance of measuring
or assessing culture before attempting to manage it. Working collaboratively with
clients to construct customized surveys that are most relevant to company and
site-specific programs will be highlighted. Characteristics of positive safety culture
will also be presented as a framework to guide assessments in an attempt to
combine academic knowledge and best practice from industry. A theme in this
presentation relates to the blending of art and science: the science of managing
safety and the art of leading the most valuable resource in any occupational culture
— people. The use of both industry experts and academics will be presented
as an effective way to meet this assessment goal.
10:25 AM
Analysis of Jackleg Mining Culture in Narrow Vein Mining
A. Rai; Barrick Turquoise Ridge Inc, Winnemucca, NV
Mechanized bolters have been used in most of the underground metal mines except
narrow vein mine which present tremendous challenge with ground control
and spotty ore body still operate Jackleg. This paper provides an overview of the
cultural survey in an underground metal mines with skilled jackleg operators and
a summary of safety challenges with this technology. The paper also highlights
design, engineering, maintenance and production optimization using Jackleg in
narrow vein mining.
10:45 AM
Using Safety Maturity Models for Safety Assurance and
Improvement in Mining Operations
G. Lyle 1 , P. Foster 2 , D. Putnam 3 , V. Pakalnis 1 and D. Millar 1 ;
1
MIRARCO, Sudbury, ON, Canada; 2 School of Engineering,
Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
and 3 Health,Safety and Environment, DeBeers Canada, Toronto, ON,
Canada
In the Global Mining industry a considerable amount of effort takes place into
establishing best practice and identifying tools that are proven to be effective in
improving safety. Whilst this approach is logical, its effectiveness is limited by the
differences in safety culture and management across the industry. Sites in the
early stages of developing their safety culture will require different improvement
techniques from those with strong safety cultures and systems. This distinction is
often not made and as a result many of these initiatives and interventions have
not been as effective as hoped. The Safety Maturity Model concept is a recent research
innovation. These models were developed to allow organisations to understand
their own level of safety maturity by assessing the level of compliance
with various key elements of safety culture related to both management systems
and human/behavioural issues. This paper will look at the background to these
models, tracing their development in the oil and gas industry and how they have
been adapted and used in the global mining industry. Examples will be shown
from DeBeers Canadas mines and exploration teams
Mining & exploration:
operations: My First Five years
in operations
9:00 AM • Wednesday, February 27
chairs: M. Mowry, Jim Walter Resources, Brookwood, AL
B. Fredrickson, Rio Tinto Minerals, Boron, CA
9:00 AM
Introductions
9:05 AM
From College to the Coal Mines
K. McCoy; Walter Energy, Inc., Brookwood, AL
A well-rounded mining engineering curriculum is essential to a successful career.
Working in production makes problems that once had consequences like a failing
grade now carry threats of safety violations or involve great amounts of money.
While mining conditions can vary significantly, the basic principles of rock mechanics,
ventilation, and pumping still apply. Undergraduates in mining engineering
should take great pride in the mastery of their skill and take advantage of
any opportunity to experience new mine sites and conditions. Internships, co-
This is the Technical Program as of September 1, 2012. IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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Please see the Onsite Program for final details.