STOP first. There is no compromise in safety to prioritise production. Safety should always be the top priority, and there should be no compromise on it, even in the face of production pressures. A safe work environment ensures not only the well-being of employees but also the long-term sustainability and success of operations. It’s essential for leadership and teams to uphold this principle and integrate safety into every aspect of their work culture.

Following few steps could be done. 1-Conduct thorough risk assessments. 2- Strong safety culture. 3- Advance Technology adaptation. 4-Continuous Improvement. 5-Clear communication.

Entre las tres principales claves para tener bien claro quien tiene la prioridad en las operaciones mineras son: 1. ¿Cuál es el compromiso de la dirección ante la seguridad?. 2. ¿Existe una identificación y evaluación de riesgos donde participen las áreas correspondientes? 3. ¿Hay programas de capacitación en materia preventiva? – En mi experiencia, responder a estas preguntas ya nos permite tener bien claro de dónde nace el compromiso con la seguridad. Si viene desde la más alta jerarquía, no hay espacio para cuestionar que la producción debe ser con seguridad, ¡ya que no hay equilibrio sin ella!.

Balancing safety and production priorities in mining is indeed a challenging task 1. Comprehensive Risk Assessment: Before any mining operation begins, conducting a thorough risk assessment is crucial. This involves identifying potential hazards such as unstable geological formations, equipment failures, and human factors. 2. Invest in Training and Education: Miners should receive comprehensive training on operating equipment, emergency response procedures, and adherence to safety protocols. Regular refresher courses and continuous education programs keep workers updated with the latest safety standards and technologies. 3. Implement Advanced Technologies 4. Strict Adherence to Regulatory Standards 5. Develop a Strong Safety Culture

Chez nous, nous considérons la sécurité comme une priorité absolue. Avant de lancer les travaux proprement dits sur le terrain, nous effectuons une évaluation de risques qui est faite à l'amont de chaque activité. Cela nous permet d'identifier les dangers potentiels et de prendre les mesures nécessaires pour les atténuer. Dès que l'activité est lancée, les équipements de protection individuelle (EPI) sont obligatoires sur les différents sites pour garantir la sécurité de nos travailleurs. La sensibilisation de liée à la sécurité et santé au travail est aussi faite régulièrement.

It is always a difficult balance. However, there are two fundamental premises that must be met: 1.- That workers are sufficiently trained in health and safety and have proven training and experience. 2.- That there is a genuine safety culture in the company, from the highest level management to the last worker, always keeping this premise in mind: the most important thing is that each mining worker returns home at the end of his workday.

These interests are naturally aligned. It is apart of building smart strong cultures that can recognize the synergies between safety and production and that safety is a critical variable in the equation that makes production. Once a team recognizes this, the whole process naturally becomes seamless.

There is a safety jargon that goes like this: "If it is not safe, don't do it". The underlying principle for this is the fact that safety in the workplace and everywhere starts with personal safety. This is the fundermental building block of safety in the workplace which can never be compromised. Regardless of which activity and how much associated pressure comes with it, personal safety comes first. This means that personal risk assessment (Take 5) must be conducted for every single activtity. It is through the fulfilment of this, that group safety can be assured.

1. The crew to apply what is called “The Crew Stoppage”. When the hazard is identified during the shift, the crew must immediately stop themselves and fix the hazard. 2. The crew to do “ A continuous Risk Assessment” In order to identify potential hazards which could cause harm, injuries, fatal or damage to equipment. 3. A crew to be Trained on how to identify the Leading indicators. 4. Application of TARP (Trigger, Action, Response and Program) 5. Application of SLAM (Stop, Look, Assess and Manage) Once all of the above are in place in terms of safety, then It’s easy to marry safety to production.