Yancoal’s increased focus on safety has yielded a 19 per cent reduction in the total number of recordable work-related injuries achieved during 2020.
According to the company’s ESG Report 2020, Yancoal’s total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR) was 8.4 compared 10.0 at the end of 2019, while its lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) was 4.2 compared to 5.6 in 2019.
Yancoal also undertook several occupational health pilot projects across various operations throughout 2020, including the expansion of the operators awareness systems – heavy vehicle (OAS-HV), developed by Hexagon Mining, which uses fatigue monitoring technology to reduce the risk of fatigue-related haul truck incidents.
“OAS-HV is a non-intrusive fatigue and distraction solution that continuously monitors operators to proactively prevent accidents,” the company stated.
“Using an infra-red camera, OAS-HV continuously monitors for eyelid closure, facial and head movements, and other unsafe behaviour (such as mobile phone use or speeding) while the vehicle is in motion.
“Although procedures to reduce fatigue risk have previously been in place, OAS-HV enhances the effectiveness of Yancoal’s fatigue detection through features including in-cabin alarm and seat vibration that are linked to the system that alert the worker of unsafe events, as well as a review function that allows recorded video footage to be used to educate workers about fatigue and its implications.”
Broader implementation of this pilot project across other Yancoal operations is planned for 2021.
“At Yancoal, the health, safety and wellbeing of our people is our utmost priority and we remain committed to achieving our goal of zero injuries. We never compromise on safety.,” the company stated.
“Each mine implements proactive strategies to update and monitor its safety standards, behaviours and reporting to ensure operations are aligned and focused on achieving Yancoal’s aspirational goal of zero harm.
“Taking responsibility for the safety of all employees, contractors and visitors, Yancoal continues to implement robust safety and risk awareness and management practices across all areas of its operations.”