Mining & Mined Caverns - Parsons Brinckerhoff

ePCM Risk Management
APRIL 2012 http://www.pbworld.com/news/publications.aspx
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process and how both client and Parsons Brinckerhoff
policies and systems are applied.
Creating a risk management system that provides
complete EPCM scope coverage requires initiating
new hazard study types and applying variations of
existing hazard studies. New hazard study techniques
incorporating other factors, like community impact and
user behavioural considerations (e.g., RAMBO, defined
below), are emerging as a more common option for managing
risk. Another emerging trend is the development
of industry specific hazard studies (e.g., OMAT, defined
below), tailored for managing risks specific to the operating
environment. Parsons Brinckerhoff’s risk management
system enables the use of these emerging hazard
study techniques, as well as traditional techniques, providing
greater flexibility and ability in assisting clients
achieve their goals. An example of Parsons Brinckerhoff
using this approach to risk management is the Bengalla
Expansion Project (BEP) located in the Hunter Valley,
Australia. Parsons Brinckerhoff has been engaged by
Coal & Allied to manage the phase 1 expansion of their
current operations, which will result in increasing annual
coal production by approximately 20%. Phase 1 incorporates
the expansion of current infrastructure and the
coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) and increasing
the size of the heavy mobile equipment (HME) fleet.
This project incorporates the client’s risk management
framework and, through the application of specialist risk
analysis techniques, ensures that all risks in the delivery
of the EPCM scope are captured whilst maintaining
compliance to client requirements. Specialist risk analysis
techniques used on BEP include:
Hazard Operability Study (HAZOP) – This is the most recognised
method of hazard study, traditionally managing
risks covering the entire lifecycle of the asset. HAZOPs
are orientated towards managing health, safety and environmental
risks and are reliant on the application of
terms/phrases prompting the identification of hazards.
Parsons Brinckerhoff applies HAZOP traditionally in the
construction/assembly of mechanical assets. For the introduction
of new HME (e.g., Komatsu 830E trucks) to the
BEP, HAZOPs have been applied to identify risks in operating
and maintaining the new asset. All tasks relating to
the new asset are examined, ranging from pre-operation
inspection to specific scheduled maintenance activities.
This risk analysis process allows Parsons Brinckerhoff to
provide recommendations to the client and the original
equipment manufacturer on what improvements can be
made to the physical asset prior to hand over and suggestions
to improve maintenance methodologies.
Network
Hazard Identification Risk Analysis (HAZID) – A HAZID
is one of the most flexible hazard study methods and is
performed in the early stages of the project. HAZIDs flexibility
comes from enabling the facilitator to select a scope
for the hazard study in cases where traditional topics may
not be covered in other hazard study methods. During
the planning phase of EPCM projects, this risk analysis
method is commonly used, as it captures both strategic
and operational risks derived from the project delivery,
ranging from reputational to risks from industrial relations
(IR). Parsons Brinckerhoff has used this technique in the
execution of the Bengalla Expansion Project, covering topics
from project HR/IR management to expansion of coal
handling and preparation plants.
Construction Hazard Assessment Implication Review
(CHAIR) – CHAIR is a three (3) tiered risk analysis tool
derived from the WorkCover Authority of New South
Wales. A relatively new hazard study (in relation to
HAZOP), CHAIR is a tool used to reduce health and safety
risks associated with the construction, maintenance
and demolition of an asset (typically infrastructure but
can be applied to any asset). CHAIR is divided into three
(3) levels of risk analysis based upon what stage of the
lifecycle of the asset is being assessed. Parsons Brinckerhoff
has used CHAIR in the delivery of infrastructure,
including public roads (e.g., the Bengalla Link Road project
in early 2011, which was outside the scope of the
current expansion work).
Operability and Maintainability Analysis Technique
(OMAT) – OMAT is a six (6) step task-orientated risk
assessment technique developed by the Minerals Industry
Safety and Health Centre (University of Queensland)
in consultation with the Earth Moving Equipment Safety
Round Table (EMESRT) which is comprised of ten (10)
multi-national mining organisations. This elaborate
process has been developed specifically for managing
risks to operators and maintainers of heavy mobile
equipment (HME) for mining, with the use of industry
recognised design philosophies from EMESRT. Requiring
specific software and a rigid approach, OMAT enables
projects to pinpoint specific risks from operation and
maintenance of HME. Parsons Brinckerhoff used this
risk analysis technique in the delivery of HME for the
Bengalla Expansion Project, including facilitating a workshop
on the Hitachi EX5500-6 using OMAT. Although
improvements have been made with the application of
OMAT on Parsons Brinckerhoff projects, it has proven
to be more effective when applied by the original equipment
manufacturer.