TAKEAWAY: Despite advancements in mine safety, mining remains a dangerous business. One of the primary reasons for that is human error. Occupational testing can help prevent and address human error by identifying risk factors and unsafe behaviours and empowering workers and their employers with the knowledge they need to overcome these risks.
Jump Ahead
Mining injury rates and fatalities continue to fall worldwide. Between 2019 and 2020, for example, injury rates fell 8% – the fourth consecutive year that rates have fallen. Fatalities have followed a similar trajectory.
However, despite advancements in mine safety, including new technologies, mechanization and automation, over the last century, mining remains a dangerous business. One of the primary reasons for that is human error. One meta-analysis of dozens of research papers on the coal mining industry concluded that human factors, such as a lack of appropriate skill, experience, perceptual error and unsafe behaviours, were the leading cause of coal mining injuries.
Occupational testing can help prevent and address human error by identifying risk factors and unsafe behaviours and empowering workers and their employers with the knowledge they need to overcome these risks. Studies demonstrate the power these proactive approaches, including occupational testing and targeted training, have in reducing occupational illness and injury in mining.
Want to improve your safety culture and keep your workforce safe?
SureHire offers a range of services to help employers in the mining industry manage and reduce the risk of workplace incidents and injury. Our team has 18+ years of experience helping businesses just like yours create a safer workplace.Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve your safety culture. We know that when it comes to safety, there is no room for error. Let us provide you with the tools and resources you need to keep your workers safe and compliant.
The Link Between Operational Excellence, Productivity and Safety in Mining
An August 2022 McKinsey and Company report emphasized the critical link between operational excellence, productivity and safety in mining organizations. “Those that are focusing on operational excellence,” write the study’s authors, “are seeing improvements in business results, with uplifts in production ranging from 1 to 16 per cent and a reduction of safety incidents by 5 to 23 per cent per annum.” That operational excellence includes embracing a culture of continuous improvement and encouraging the full participation of employees in the process.
Occupational testing is one way that companies can help build a culture of continuous improvement and engage their workers in that process.
Drug and Alcohol Testing in Mining
Numerous studies have established a link between mining occupations and abuse of both drugs and alcohol. For example, research has shown that illicit drug use is statistically much higher in mining communities. The highest drug mortality rates were also disproportionately concentrated in economically-distressed mining counties in the U.S.
Despite these statistics, there are indications that drug and alcohol testing is making a difference, particularly when it is combined with substance abuse policies that are supportive rather than punitive. The findings of one recent study on miners showed that the introduction of random drug and alcohol tests, as well as fit-for-work testing, resulted in fewer positive tests. The researchers concluded that a comprehensive alcohol and drug testing policy had a positive impact on reducing substance abuse in the workplace and that workers were restricting their drug use specifically because of the testing.
Another related study looking into the high incidence of drug use among extraction (mining) workers confirmed that written workplace drug policies were associated with reduced cocaine use and workplace drug testing with lower odds of marijuana use.
Impairment and Safety Training and Education
In addition to testing protocols, impairment training is a critical component of any drug and alcohol policy. This is especially crucial for miners. Due to the nature of their work, miners are often at higher risk for work-related disorders requiring an opioid prescription and injury-related opioid prescriptions, which may lead to dependence and opioid overdose. Awareness training is an effective way to overcome this, and numerous studies have suggested such an approach can work.
Safety awareness and training are also proven to be effective in reducing accidents and fatalities in mines. Global mining firm Murray and Roberts recently announced six million fatality-free shifts, and senior executives of the company credited training as the key component leading to this achievement.
Audiometric Testing and Reductions in Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a very real problem in the mining industry. In one study, 42% of Canadian miners reported exposure to hazardous occupational noise. A related U.S. study found and in the U.S. researchers reported that by the age of 50 years, 70–90% of miners may develop NIHL.
The U.S. study further concluded that early diagnosis of NIHL was critical and that audiometric should be considered the gold standard for this early diagnosis. Baseline readings can help ensure the accuracy of audiometric testing by providing a starting point from which to measure ongoing, follow-up testing. Additional studies have also linked noise monitoring and audiometric testing to preventing hearing loss. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is currently conducting research through its Pittsburgh Mining Research Division on improved audiometric methods and modified training methods to identify and reduce cases of occupational hearing loss.
Want to improve your safety culture and keep your workforce safe?
SureHire offers a range of services to help employers in the mining industry manage and reduce the risk of workplace incidents and injury. Our team has 18+ years of experience helping businesses just like yours create a safer workplace.Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you improve your safety culture. We know that when it comes to safety, there is no room for error. Let us provide you with the tools and resources you need to keep your workers safe and compliant.
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