How do Take 5 Checklists turn Mining Operations Safer?

Take 5 for Safety is a convenient and proven method to make sure safety regulations are being followed during operations in the mining industry. This technique is applied before beginning any operation, as a pre-start process. Take 5 For Safety is thought to be a dependable form of risk control as it serves the purpose of quickly detecting and addressing any hazards. It encourages personnel to make sure their own health and safety and that of their coworkers are intact. Utilizing Take 5 assessment forms has thus become essential in recognizing potential risks and their respective control measures.

Contractors and workers can proactively reduce exposure to dangerous chemicals, injuries from heavy machinery and explosives, and cave-ins when they conduct rigorous health checks with the Take 5 forms. This 5-step safety procedure has proved effective and accessible because it's designed specifically with the workers' welfare in mind.

The 5 steps in the Take 5 process are:

1. Stop and think
2. Look and identify
3. Assess the risk
4. Control hazards
5. Monitor hazards

Stop and think

The main goal of the first step is to immediately pause any activity in progress and initiate the Take 5 Safety approach. If the task has not been started yet, carry out the process first and then continue. Taking a break to contemplate the task at hand can make the upcoming process almost faultless, and diminish any type of risk.

Ideally, on-site personnel should develop the habit of visualizing a task in their minds and identifying any potential risks. This self-assessment enables the worker to observe any change that may have occurred since the last time they carried out the task. After a thorough analysis, the worker can proceed to the second step.

Identify the Hazards

This phase requires recognizing any potential risks that could arise. To spot them, workers must examine the mine site and be aware of anything that could put them or other miners in jeopardy. After recognizing all hazards, the worker can proceed to the third step.

Assess the Risk

Here, the workers need to make sure the risks associated with each hazard are thoroughly evaluated. The workplace hazards that pose the greatest threat to the worker should be controlled based on the results of this analysis. Assessing the risk requires taking into account both the chance of an accident occurring and the seriousness of any potential injuries. Workers can proceed to the fourth step after assessing all risks.

Instead of relying on your own estimation of the danger a hazard represents, it is much more effective to utilize a risk evaluation matrix. This table allows you to calculate the degree of risk based on the probability and gravity of a mishap, which can then be used to prioritize hazard control.

Control Hazards

In the fourth step, any potential risk that poses a severe threat to miners must be regulated. There are multiple ways to manage these risks, and the optimal technique will differ depending on the hazard. Aside from removal or substitution, engineering methods, management tactics, and PPE can be used to control the risks.

Proceed Safely

Lastly, all risks have to be continuously monitored. The purpose of this step is to maintain complete control over any kind of mining hazard. An inspection, audit, or investigation into an accident can all be used for reviewing and tracking hazards. You can now proceed safely with the intended task, but without losing vigilance of the site and the operations going around you.

Most companies use a pen-and-paper form of the Take 5 checklist, where employees must physically fill out a Take 5 card and submit it before commencing work. However, filing, storing, and managing these documents can be a time-consuming and expensive task. It's much easier and more efficient to use a digital Take 5 system such as the one built into Grid. It's available as a template, which means you can set it up in minutes, and have your employees begin using it immediately. Want to see how Grid can help you set up a Take 5 process on your mining sites?

Get in Touch