Qualitative Risk Analysis and Critical Controls Management in Underground Mines in Brazil and Peru

This case comprises the aplication of the Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA) and Critical Control Verification (VCC) methodologies to underground mines in Brazil and Peru. This escope involved scenarios of collapse, fire/explosion and release of toxic gases in underground mines, related to 10 Priority Unwanted Events (PUEs).

The Hazard Identification and Risk Analisys (HIRA) was based in Metodology of International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM):

• Health and Safety Critical Control Management – Good Practice Guide;
• Critical Control Management – Implementation Guide.

A total of 27 critical controls were selected and reviewed, taking account the methodology by ICMM guides, as well as the Brazil and Peru regulatory requirements. This review was accompanied by an expert and multidisciplinar team, composed of representatives from the following áreas: Maintenance, Engineering, Process, Occupational Safety and Environment and Production.

The team used the use of the One Pager tool to address objectives, performance requirements among other information related to each critical control, reported below:

• Objectives of the related critical control;
• Performance requirements of critical control to meet objectives;
• Activities or actions that can enable or strengthen critical control;
• Activities or actions that can be verified to attest to the performance of a critical control;
• Trigger for stopping the unit or the front of the work, overhaul or investigation due to poor control performance;
• Critical control check frequency.

Additionally, a Critical Control Verification Checklist (CCVC) was prepared, in order to assist and guide the check and evaluate the status of those controls. The Critical Control Verification Checklist (CCVC) has been standardized based on the technical requirements for each type of critical control listed below:

• Automated Controls
• Equipment
• Inspection
• Physical barrier
• Procedure
• Sensor / Detector

The method described above, enables a systematization for the verification and management of critical controls, providing for proposing actions to reestablish the condition of integrity and reliability of those controls that eventually have their functionality compromised.