Integrated health and safety solutions provider, KBC Health & Safety (KBC) has introduced an innovative operational risk management processes (ORMP) training initiative called Riski Diski, which has been pitched at all levels.

“The Riski Diski programme uses soccer as an analogy to drive home key ORMP concepts and ensures that learners attending the training have a better grasp to translate their learning into the workplace,” says KBC COO Sian Thurtell.

An exciting feature of the programme aims to provide those at operator and supervisor level with practical and experiential training.

The experiential learning session involves the learners playing in a hypothetical five-a-side soccer game, during which key tasks are completed. The participants are then given the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and how they can be translated or applied to their work environment.

The core aspects – alignment and attunement – must be upheld for ORMPs to be successful in an underground mining environment.

“KBC works with clients to cultivate a risk-aware culture . . . where employees at all levels understand the importance of risk management and actively contribute, or proactively respond, to it. This is not possible unless you have the full commitment of leadership, [as] their commitment sets the tone for the entire organisation,” says Thurtell.

As a first step in implementing the training initiative, KBC works closely with clients to establish a degree of alignment within the mining organisation. This means that all levels in the organisation must be made aware of, and fully understand, the importance of risk management, as well as take responsibility to act when mining hazards arise.

Secondly, KBC provides the platform for the mining organisation to promote a cognitive shift within the organisation, which arises from alignment and, in turn, gives rise to attunement.

Attunement inspires employees to change their mindsets for the better, act professionally when risks are identified, and accept personal accountability when addressing these situations.

The integration of cognitive behavioural therapy and systems learning in a mining organisation provides a foundation for sustainable behavioural change by creating an agile risk management culture.

Gamification of Mine Safety Training

Thurtell emphasises that using practical and innovative technology or methodologies increases the impact of the learning experience.

Practical, experiential training such as the Riski Diski programme, KBC’s Hazard Park model, virtual reality, and 360o videos are more engaging and memorable than traditional training methods, asm ineworkers at the operator level are more likely to retain knowledge and skills learned through immersive experiences, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of training.

In the mining industry, organisational objectives usually revolve around site safety, as mining businesses seek to prioritise zero harm and zero fatalities.

Although achieving complete zero harm may be challenging in high-risk environments, it is always the goal, states KBC.

In addition, cultural change, improved production, and a decrease in the number of safety-related incidents are common ORMP objectives.

KBC partners with mining organisations to achieve their safety objectives and establish and maintain an agile risk management culture.