Managing Risks Of Simultaneous Operations

The common difficulty I see is that businessessubjecting your workforce to. Controlling risks
lack in the skill to identify them. Let's take a lookminimises the level of harm that could impact
at some common simultaneous operations:business, health, safety and environment.
- Drilling in an operational pit;4. Monitoring the tasks will allow you to verify
- Performing maintenance on equipment inthat the controls are in place and adequate. If you
operational areas;identify that the controls are not adequate STOP
- Watering mine roads;WORK and review the identified controls in the
- Performing maintenance in multiple storey facilityrisk assessment; and
whilst operations occurring; and5. The only way controls will be effective is if all
- Construction in operational areas. So do all ofpersons involved in the tasks understand and
these seem like everyday tasks? Have youimplement the control measures. The steps
previously identified them as Simultaneous Tasks?identified are re-enforcing basic risk management
Are you asking where do I start? Well, 'IT'S NOTprincipals. Ask yourself, does business effectively
THAT HARD', lets take a look at the basic steps:manage the risks of Simultaneous Operations?
Currently, identifying and controlling Simultaneous
1. Identify all Simultaneous Operations;Operations is not a legislative requirement.
2. Perform Risk Assessment;However, the major companies are introducing
3. Assess and control risks;this requirement into all operations.
4. Monitor the simultaneous tasks; andSo, why wait until legislation catches up to what
5. Communicate the Control Measures.out major companies in Australia have identified
Remember, COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY TOas a major risk.
PERFORMING THESE TASKS SAFELY.I believe that it is the responsibility of all
What are the benefits of performing this work?employers to protect the Health and Safety of
their employees. The only way we can effectively
1. By identifying all Simultaneous Operations wefulfil this, is to identify and control risks.
are able to manage risks;Let all of us take advantage of what others have
2. Performing risk assessments will allow you toidentified as a major risk and control it before it
identify all risks introduced by the task;impacts on us.
3. Assessing determines the level of risk you are