What works best at improving mine worker safety and why does it work

This paper reports on the results of an ACARP funded project that investigated the effectiveness of safety programs at coal mines by determining the factors that lead to success. There were two parts to the project. One investigated the strategies used throughout the industry to plan and implement safety programs. As part of the definition of what is happening industry-wide, a questionnaire investigating programs at all levels from individual to corporate was distributed. To compensate for the low response rate to the questionnaire, the conference proceedings for New South Wales and Queensland for the past five years were scanned. This information was combined with the results of the survey to give a reasonable picture of what was happening in the industry. The second part considered five different programs in place at minesites. Investigations and evaluations on individual projects were undertaken at mines in Queensland and New South Wales. These programs include training, health interventions, audit, risk assessment and behavioural and attitudinal change and cover basic safety programs through to fitness for duty programs. The programs were analysed using a program evaluation model. The factors identified as the three most important for success were the identification of the need for the program, actual and perceived commitment by management and allocation of adequate resources