YOU KNOW MINING WE KNOW POWER

5 Always check your surroundings. Not just once, but always, continuously. Things and people are in a state of continuous change. It is not always evident until it is too late.

6 Always be defensive. Do not trust anything until you are satisfied that it is safe. You will never win a battle against a scoop, a truck, a man carrier, a piece of falling rock, or even a hammer.

7 The lifesaving rules are the voice of the dead, the voice of those who did not live to tell the story. Think of every sentence written in the lifesaving rules as being said by someone who was tragically taken away from life. The dead are asking you to please pay attention and do not make the same mistake they did.

8 The field risk assessments are not a formality, nor are they just paperwork. They are a reminder about the simple things where we can fail, those trivial things that we take for granted most of the time because they seem so obvious. When doing a field risk assessment, think about the real meaning of every reminder and how it applies to the task you are about to take. Reset your mind every time you start a new field risk assessment. Hazards are just waiting for you to make a mistake.

9 Maintain your workplace in good and safe condition. Good housekeeping will ensure that many hidden hazards are uncovered before they hit you. Housekeeping is not just an exercise to make a place to look pretty. It is an integral part of maintaining the workplace free of hazards. Never leave your workplace in disarray. The next person can be exposed to harm. You do not want to do that to your colleagues. And remember, the next person can be you.

10 Communicate with your team regularly about the condition of tools, equipment, and the surroundings; about your whereabouts, about your decisions regarding your tasks. Communication is like the blood stream in your body. It keeps all the parts healthy.

11 Wear proper PPE for the job. Make sure it is always in good condition. Make sure it is well-fitted and secured. I came out from the incident with just a few scratches because I was wearing my PPE and it was properly fitted. CMJ