Predisposing Factors Level 4 - Training and Competence

Unfortunately there is considerable evidence that, all too often, the training provided in the mining industry is not always as good as it is beUeved to be, as the examples below show. These should be considered in conjunction with many of the examples given previously in Section 5.1 where problems are seen not only in the preparation of effective codes, rules and procedures but also in the way staff are trained in their use. 

On the 7 August 1994 an underground explosion occurred at the MouraNo. 2 mine in Queensland killing 11 men. Among the many conunents and reconunendations in the report of the official inquiry (Windridge et al., 1995) were the following  

It is clear tfom the evidence that many personnel at the Moura No. 2 mine from the superintendent down were inadequately trained in important aspects of then-duties. Some training initiatives had commenced at the mine in recent times, but overall the extent of training seems to have been inadequate to keep people up to date. 

It is recommended, therefore, that the procedures for granting statutory certificates for undergrormd coal mining and the conditions under which they are awarded, be reviewed. In particular, it is recommended that certificates not be granted for hfe and that a system needs to be developed and put into effect as soon as is practicable that requires certificate holders to demonstrate their fitness to retain the certificate of competency on a regular basis, at intervals of not less than three and not more than five years. 

These quotes, in a report which ascribes much of the causality of a major accident involving 11 fatahties, to poor/inadequate training strongly reinforce two points  

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