Co Connect App - Blog , Education

Heat stress & Heat illness

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 12:27:04 +0800

Western Australia's summer heat poses a significant threat to miners' health and safety with working in outside and underground environments. Heat illness, ranging from mild heat stress to life-threatening heat stroke, can strike quickly and unexpectedly.
This memo serves as a critical reminder to be aware of the risks and take proactive steps to protect yourselves and your workmates.

Understanding Heat Illness:
Heat stress: This early warning sign includes excessive sweating, fatigue, headache, dizziness, and nausea. Ignoring these signals can lead to more severe conditions.
Heat exhaustion: If heat stress goes unaddressed, it can progress to heat exhaustion. ymptoms include profuse sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, rapid heartbeat, and weakness. Seek immediate medical attention if these occur.
Heat stroke: This is the most severe form of heat illness and is a medical emergency. It's characterized by a core body temperature exceeding 40°C (104°F), confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and potentially death. Immediate medical attention is crucial.
Preventing Heat Illness:
Hydration: Drink plenty of cool water (not icy) regularly, even if you don't feel thirsty. Aim for 1 litre per hour under moderate conditions and more in heavy work or extreme heat. Hydrolytes are also available.
Protective clothing: Consider hats with wide brims and sunscreen for exposed skin.
Rest and shade: Take frequent breaks in cool, shaded areas to allow your body to cool down.
Acclimatization: If you are new to the industry or recently come back from a trip overseas in a cold climate, acclimatisation may be required for your role.
Communication: Inform your supervisor of any warning signs of heat illness in yourself or colleagues.
Responding to Heat Stroke:
If you suspect heat stroke in yourself or someone else:
Call the medic immediately.
Move the person to a cool, shaded area.
Remove unnecessary clothing and cool the person's body with cool water (not ice) on their skin and clothing. Fan them if possible.
Do not give them anything to drink or eat.
Stay with the person and monitor their condition until help arrives.
Remember: Heat illness is preventable. By staying informed, taking precautions, and seeking immediate help when needed, we can all stay safe and healthy throughout the summer months.

Resignation Day

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 12:27:04 +0800

Resignation day is looming! With January 31 is the record day for resignations. While a number of reasons impact a persons reason for leaving.

Unclear career development is particularly detrimental to an employee’s performance, motivation, and engagement. Beyond a lack of clarity for personal growth, it ultimately makes people feel undervalued, underutilised, and unclear on their future with the company.

Unfortunately as we move to a digital world, and people are working more remotely, many are getting left behind in career advancement and opportunity if they aren’t desk based.

When we look at the reasons people stay? According to CultureAmp

19% of Australian employees are currently considering or actively looking to leave their jobs.

The platform’s data shows that the top three reasons why people stick with their employer are: when they feel informed about what’s happening at their company; they have control over their well-being; and they believe there are career opportunities in the business.

To try and overcome this in the short term some quick wins can be.

Promoting job opportunities to were your workers will see them(especially if they are non-desk based which often get left behind.
Promoting opportunities for secondments, temporary cross site transitions, inclusions on projects, mentoring programs, training.
Provide an opportunity for expression of interest process to be non-computer based. Making opportunities email and desk based only can cause major disadvantage to those who don’t have access, may not be as computer literate or use one in their daily tasks.

The Importance of Communication and Engagement with remote workers

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 21:50:45 +0800

In the mining industry, effective communication and engagement with non desk based staff is

difficult yet crucial for maintaining a safe and productive workplace. Leaders play a vital role in

ensuring that these lines of communication remain open and robust, Especially given the human

brain only remembers 7 to 9 things in their short term memory. This post will explore the

importance of communication and engagement with in sites, tips and tricks to improve

engagement, , highlighting how it can lead to improved safety, increased productivity, and a

positive work culture.

Communication and information access is at the heart of what Co Connect was designed for, Its

something we truly believe will foster lasting change, and reduce turnover (especially in todays

works of extreme industry growth and skills shortages.

1. Enhancing Safety Through Effective Communication

Safety should always be the top priority in any workplace, particularly in high-risk industries like

mining. Clear and consistent communication is essential for preventing accidents and injuries. By

effectively communicating safety protocols, procedures, and potential hazards to

workers, leaders can significantly reduce the risk of incidents occurring.

Regular safety meetings and toolbox talks provide an opportunity for leaders to engage

with mine site workers on safety matters. These forums allow workers to voice their concerns,

ask questions, and provide valuable feedback. By fostering open communication channels,

leaders can address and resolve potential safety issues promptly, proactively ensuring a safer

work environment for all.

Talking to staff through new processes and risks and their ideas on how a task can be done is

vital. After all, the process most likely to be followed / taken on is the easiest one so gaining

input is vital.

2. Increasing Productivity Through Engaged Workers

Engaged workers are more likely to be motivated, dedicated, and productive. When mine site

workers feel valued, heard, and involved in decision-making processes, they tend to perform at

their best. Leaders can actively promote engagement by implementing strategies such as

regular team meetings, employee surveys, and suggestion QR code surveys (or surveys through

the Co Connect app)

By actively seeking input from mine site workers, HR managers gain valuable insights into their

experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improvement. This information can inform

decisions regarding workflow optimization, training programs, and employee development

initiatives. Engaging with remote workers also fosters a sense of ownership and accountability,

resulting in increased productivity levels across the organization.

3. Cultivating a Positive Work Culture Through Effective Engagement

A positive work culture is essential for attracting and retaining top talent in the mining industry.

Effective communication and engagement are fundamental to fostering a supportive and

inclusive work environment. HR managers can play a pivotal role in cultivating such a culture by

actively promoting open dialogue, collaboration, and recognition of achievements.

Regular team-building activities, social events, and training programs can facilitate positive

interactions between mine site workers and management. These initiatives not only improve

morale but also strengthen relationships and create a sense of camaraderie among employees.

A positive work culture leads to higher job satisfaction, reduced turnover rates, and ultimately, a

more successful and sustainable organisation.

Conclusion

Communication and engagement with mine site workers in Australia are paramount to ensure

safety, increase productivity, and cultivate a positive work culture. HR managers have a crucial

responsibility in establishing effective lines of communication, providing opportunities for

engagement, and actively listening to the concerns and ideas of mine site workers. By prioritizing

communication and engagement, leaders can build stronger teams, mitigate risks, and drive

organizational success.

Great leadership development questions to ask with your team

1. How can effective communication enhance safety in the mining industry?

2. What benefits can be derived from engaging mine site workers in decision-making

processes?

3. Why is a positive work culture important in the mining industry?

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Common mining terms

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 16:04:43 +0800

Common mining terms

Adit - A horizontal or nearly horizontal tunnel for accessing a mineral deposit from the surface.
Backfill - The material used to fill a mine opening after the extraction of ore.
Bench - A level section in an open-pit mine where ore is extracted.
Blasthole - A hole drilled in the rock face for the placement of explosives.
Bogger Operator: A bogger operator operates a machine that is used to transport the broken rock from the face to the surface.
Carbon-in-leach (CIL) - A process used to extract gold from ore by using activated carbon to absorb the gold particles.
Carbon-in-pulp (CIP) - A process used to extract gold from ore by using activated carbon to adsorb the gold particles.
Concentrate - The product of the mineral processing plant that contains the valuable minerals.
Decline - A sloping tunnel used to access an underground mine.
Drift - A horizontal or nearly horizontal tunnel used for accessing a mineral deposit.
Mine development - the process of preparing a mine for production.
Dump - The pile of waste rock or tailings left over after the extraction of ore.
Exploration - the process of searching for minerals
Face - The surface of the rock where drilling and blasting occurs.
Fault - A crack or break in the rock where movement has occurred.
Gold grade - The amount of gold contained in a unit of ore.
Grade control - The process of ensuring that the grade of ore being mined is consistent with the mine plan.
Grizzly: A grid of iron bars or similar material used to sort ore and waste rock
Head grade - The grade of ore at the start of the processing plant.
High-grade - Ore that contains a high percentage of valuable minerals.
Hoist - A machine used to lift or lower equipment and materials in a mine shaft.
Host rock - The rock that surrounds an ore deposit.
In-situ - The original location of a mineral deposit before it is extracted.
Jig - A machine used to concentrate minerals based on their density.
Jumbo Operator: A jumbo operator is responsible for operating a drill rig that is used to drill holes in the rock face in preparation for blasting.
Leaching - The process of extracting metals from ores by using a chemical solvent.
Lode - A mineral deposit that is embedded in the host rock.
Longhole drilling - A method of drilling used in underground mining where holes are drilled parallel to the ore body.
Milling - The process of grinding ore into a fine powder to extract the valuable minerals.
Mine development - The process of preparing a mine site for production.
Nipper - an entry-level job that involves assisting miners and other personnel with a variety of tasks in the underground mine.
Open-pit mining - A method of mining where the ore is extracted from an open pit.
Ore body - A concentration of valuable minerals in the host rock.
Ore pass - A vertical or inclined chute used to transfer ore from one level to another in an underground mine.
Ore reserve - The estimated amount of ore that can be economically mined.
Overburden - The rock and soil that covers a mineral deposit.
Paste backfill - A type of backfill made from a mixture of tailings and cement.
Pan - a shallow metal dish used to separate gold from other materials.
Pillar - a column of rock left in place to support the roof of a mine.
Pit - an excavation in the ground used for mining.
Portal - the entrance to a mine.
Raise - A vertical or inclined tunnel used to transport people, equipment, or ore in an underground mine.
Refractory ore - Ore that is difficult to extract gold from due to its chemical makeup.
Rock bolting - A method of reinforcing the walls of an underground mine with steel rods.
Roasting - A process used to remove impurities from gold ore by heating it in a furnace.
Service crew is a team of workers who are responsible for maintaining and repairing the mining equipment and infrastructure
Shaft - A vertical or inclined tunnel used to access an underground mine.
Shrinkage stoping - A method of underground mining where ore is extracted by drilling and blasting.
Shotcrete Sprayer: A shotcrete sprayer is responsible for spraying a concrete mixture onto the rock face to stabilize it and prevent collapses.
Slag: The waste material produced during smelting operations
Stope - A section of an underground mine where ore is being extracted.
Tailings: The waste material left over after the valuable minerals have been extracted
Truck Driver: A truck driver is responsible for driving a truck that transports the ore and waste rock from the mine to the surface.
Underground mining - A method of mining where the ore is extracted from underground.
Vein: A mineral deposit that is concentrated in a fracture or fissure in the rock
Winze: A vertical or nearly vertical shaft used to connect different levels in a mine
Working: The area where mining activities take place
XRF: X-ray fluorescence, a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of samples

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