Developing a critical risk program for an underground metalliferous mining group

An underground-focused mining business required a structured and consistent approach to managing material safety risks across its operations in Australia.

Bluestone HSE designed and implemented a Critical Risk Management system, including development of a group-level CRM Framework tailored to underground mining. This included the facilitation of workshops to develop critical risk bowtie diagrams for each material risk. These workshops involved a broad group including subject matter experts, operational leaders, and frontline workers to reflect how work is actually performed. Critical controls were defined and agreed during these initial workshops.

A subsequent workshop discussed and agreed the performance requirements for all critical control in a risk area. The performance requirements broadly followed the International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) approach, including assigning accountability to nominated critical risk owners. A critical control verification process and supporting assurance framework were developed to confirm controls were in place, being used, and operating effectively across sites. The program was supported by targeted critical risk awareness training for each material risk.