TEHRAN - All industries and services can implement the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management system standard, which is classified into 39 groups based on the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) reference.

The most hazardous industry is the mining industry (IAF Code 2), which claims hundreds of lives worldwide every year. 

On September 21, an explosion occurred at a coal mine in Tabas, South Khorasan Province, eastern Iran. The incident killed at least 51 people and injured 20 more.

The article aims to analyze the cause of the incident from the perspective of the ISO 45001:2018 standard.

Top Management Commitment

The top management of the mine bears the primary responsibility and overall accountability for preventing work-related injuries and illnesses among workers, as well as creating a healthy and safe working environment for them. 

They must provide the necessary resources to maintain the safety and health of employees and ensure that workers can report incidents, hazards, risks, and opportunities without fear of punishment. For this reason, a "Health and Safety" committee should be established, and all workers should participate in safety matters. 

Top management should define the responsibilities and authorities of each individual in the area of safety and health. One of the most important issues at the worker level is that obstacles prevent workers from participating in protection, safety, and health at work, and top management does not take effective action to remove these barriers. 

These problems and barriers may include a lack of response to workers' suggestions, punishment, threats of punishment, or practices that discourage or penalize workers.

Training

Training on safety and HSE-related topics is the most crucial factor in preventing accidents. This is so important that the ISO 45001:2018 standard emphasizes that training must be provided free of charge and during working hours. 

Training is one of the most important parameters in terms of culture improvement in the organization. Training courses can be conducted in various forms, such as academic training, workshops, and on-the-job training by supervisors. Has adequate and effective training been provided at the Tabas mine?

Operational Controls

According to ISO 45001:2018, the following hierarchy should be followed to eliminate hazards and reduce occupational safety and health risks:

a. Hazard Elimination: If possible, potential hazards should be completely eliminated, which is difficult to achieve in mines.

b. Substitution: Replace processes, operations, materials, or equipment with less harmful ones: Implementing this type of control requires the use of high-tech equipment, which unfortunately is difficult to procure and install in Iranian mines due to sanctions.

c. Engineering Controls and Work Restructuring: For example, using POKAYOKE techniques or mistake-proofing methods such as using microswitches, alarms, sensors, electronic eyes, etc., which can be partially used in mines.

d. Administrative Controls such as Training and Permits: When options a, b, and c cannot be used, training, especially in mines, can be a very beneficial and effective solution to reduce safety risks in mines.

e. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This is considered the last resort and, in addition to providing personal protective equipment, requires a change in culture. The use of personal protective equipment is effective in reducing ordinary risks but is less effective in an event such as an explosion. It seems that in the Tabas mine accident, given the nature of the work and the sanctions, have engineering controls and training been used to achieve the necessary effectiveness?

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Regular testing and exercising of the designed response capability, usually conducted as periodic maneuvers, is of paramount importance in mines. All workers should be aware of their duties and responsibilities during emergencies such as earthquakes, explosions, fires, etc. 

It is so important that contractors, visitors, service providers, legal entities, and others should be informed, if necessary. Necessary training for emergency response should be provided to all employees, and after conducting the maneuver, the emergency plan should be reviewed. Are there any actions that were effectively carried out at the Tabas mine and have all workers been sufficiently aware of them?

Monitoring and Measurement

One of the important aspects is the measurement of gases, including methane, in mines, which should be carried out at regular intervals using calibrated measuring instruments by a qualified person. According to the published news, unfortunately, have these measurements been carried out properly at sufficient intervals?

Conclusion

In order to prevent the recurrence of such dangerous incidents, it is recommended to take the following actions:

Root Cause Analysis: Conduct a thorough analysis of the root causes of accidents.

Increased Oversight: Strengthen oversight by regulatory agencies such as the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade, the Department of Labor, and the Civil Defense Organization.

Sufficient Training: Provide adequate training, conduct regular maneuvers, and encourage worker participation.

Utilization of Engineering Controls: Implement engineering controls, modern equipment, and mistake-proofing techniques in mines.

Shortening Monitoring Periods: Reduce the intervals between monitoring and measuring harmful factors.

The author is an international tutor of management systems and a former secretary and managing board member of the Scientific Standard Association of Iran