AAOM Handbook

parameters such as calendar or operating time, or process throughput), and when the predefined interval or life is reached a corrective action is taken in order to deal with the threat. In a mining process this could be a regularly scheduled oil changes for mobile equipment based on either operating time for the equipment or calendar time. In a mineral processing plant this could be a regularly scheduled task to change screen/filter media based on expired time or the amount of material processed. In a safety context this might be a regularly scheduled task to conduct a fire drill, at a time interval that keeps the required response fresh in the memory of personnel. • Install back-up or containment systems to circumvent or mitigate the consequences of the failure of an element of the process. This type of strategy may be appropriate where none of the above options is feasible or cost effective but the consequences of an uncontained threat are not acceptable. In an underground mining process this could be a back-up dewatering pump. In a mineral processing plant this could be a duty/standby process pump. In a safety context this might be the implementation of personal protective equipment or a barrier/guarding system. • Operate the process to the point of failure. This is the default option, i.e. if you put no other Service Strategy in place then this is what will happen. This option is perfectly acceptable for the many potential threats that have very low consequence, probability and exposure. Once the failure has occurred, a corrective action is required in order to deal with the results of the threat. • Closure of the process. If it is considered that there is no viable and/or cost effective strategy, that will reduce the risk profile of a probable threat to an acceptable level, then the only remaining option is to shut down the process and establish a safe and secure condition. This strategy option is evident in the actions of the German government in 2011 when, following the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster in Japan, they announced the accelerated closure of all nuclear power plants within Germany. Note that after closure of the process the most significant threats may be removed, but there may be an ongoing need to maintain the safety and security of the process against residual, but lesser, threats. In such cases appropriate Service Strategies will be required until such time as there is no longer any unacceptable threat. Right Time Each Service strategy selected for a process will require some action(s) for its implementation. Each of these actions will have a trigger event and a trigger tolerance that will be determined by both the characteristics of the threat to be addressed and the selected Service strategy. Trigger events may take a variety of forms; • the occurrence of another event – e.g. the completion of a precedent action. In mining a ventilation door inspection may be scheduled to occur after a major blast. In a mineral processing plant the refurbishment of a filter media may be triggered after the exchange of the filter system.

© McAlear Management Consultants 2006

Operational Planning: Set Service Strategy

Updated: August 2018

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