Australasian Mine Safety is the leading voice for all key decision makers within Mining company's and major contractors. Delivering the latest industry news as it breaks.
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142 The Australasian Mine Safety Journal Summer 2011/12 Products and services banner UNDERGROUND MINING SAFETY Simulation proves a winner in achieving safety excellence Employees of Australia's largest underground miner, Barminco, undertake work across sites around the world with the knowledge that they work for a company which values a safe and healthy work environment for their staff above all else. T his commitment to staff is communicated during employee inductions as well as on a weekly basis through on-site safety training sessions, and validated through the company's on-going proactive approach to embracing world leading practices in relation to safety training and operations. In one such commitment to superior on-the-job safety and performance, Barminco has become one of the fi rst in Australia's underground mining industry to embrace simulation technology as part of their in-house training program. Renowned over the company's 22 year history for their progressive approach to adopting new mining methods and technology, the delivery in March this year of a transportable UG360 simulator from leading simulator supplier Immersive Technologies further solidifi es the company's reputation as the industry's contractor and employer of choice. With the largest company owned fl eet of underground mechanised mining equipment in the world and a permanent staff of close to 2,700, the ability to train new and existing operators to safely and effi ciently operate machinery is central to the company's ability to maintain their safety and performance success. Now in use as part of the company's recruitment and induction program for new truck operators at Barminco's headquarters in Hazlemere, the simulated mine site environment and Caterpillar Articulated Truck module of the simulator allow the company's training facilitators to gauge how users respond to situations and operate heavy machinery as well as customise training programs accordingly. Barminco Business Development and Commercial Manager, David Noort, said the addition of the simulator to employee training reinforced the company's commitment to 'safety fi rst – safety foremost'. "In providing new machinery operators with an opportunity to gain hands-on training in a realistic environment, we expect to see more effi cient vehicle usage and reductions in unscheduled maintenance costs," Noort said. "These improvements will result in a safer working environment for our employees and the ability to deliver increased valued to our clients." Barminco General Manager of Operations, Richard Murrell, said machinery operators who had been through the simulated training were proving to be easier to train and integrate on site and superior in their ability to respond to real scenarios. "We are seeing a reduction in the time required to induct a new operator when they fi rst arrive on site and when faced with a real life situation simulation trained operators recall their training well and respond rapidly to avoid incident," Murrell said. In addition to practical training on site and through the simulated environment, Barminco places a strong focus on safety training for new company employees, particularly those unfamiliar with the underground mining industry, otherwise known as 'green' staff. Employees undertake a one-week safety training program, aligned with the standards of SkillsDMC, the nationally recognised advisory body on workforce development in the resources sector. The program includes a comprehensive theory component covering OHS policies and procedures, communication in the workplace, risk control, quality standards and environmentally friendly workplace practices, followed up by on-site assessments. Barminco Training Co-ordinator EHS&T, Steve Motion, says for the company to provide the safest environment for all workers it is imperative employees commencing with the company understand about safety and how it works in the mining industry. "To provide our staff with the most comprehensive safety training we ensure our program is at the forefront of national standards and we undertake regular research and development programs to design and test the latest technologies for training and on-site safety," Motion said. In 2011 Barminco was recognised by SkillsDMC with an award for their work in skilling new entrants and existing workers for the metalliferous mining sector. The company is exceptionally proud of their record of safety and performance and credits this demonstration of excellence not just to their management team but also to the dedication and shared passion of their employees on sites across the world.