AAOM Handbook

SS.08 Identify Potential Service Strategies

Context

After the probable risks and related unwanted events for Serviceable Items have been identified we must determine what strategies are available to predict, prevent, correct and/or mitigate these risks. There are six basic options (Service strategies) for managing risks. These are: • Modification of the process – implement design changes in order to reduce the probability or frequency of the unwanted event. This type of strategy may be applicable where there is an alternative design, approach or material that inherently has either a lower impact, probability or exposure associated with an unwanted event. Implementation of this strategy requires a single change action, and will typically also either remove or reduce the need for further Service work. However, where any probability of the unwanted event occurring remains, one of the remaining Service Strategies will be required to deal with the residual risk. In an underground mining process this strategy could be the use of 'shot-crete' ground support in lieu of rock-bolts, hence reducing the risk of injury from falling material and removing the need to scale the walls and ceilings of workplaces. In a mineral processing plant this could be to change the design of a material feed chute to remove or reduce the occurrence of blockages and the need to clear them. In a safety context this might be the application of mechanical lifting aides to remove/reduce the risk of physical injury caused by lifting heavy items. • Monitor process condition and/or performance to identify the development of an unwanted event, and hence determine the best timing and type of Service action to deal with the escalating risk . This type of strategy may be appropriate where there is considerable variability in either the onset exposure to the hazards or in the rate at which a risk escalates, and there is a detectable indication of the developing condition that provides sufficient warning for an effective control action to be taken. Implementation of this strategy typically requires a primary action to regularly monitor the hazard, and when the indication exceeds an acceptable level (defined by measureable condition or performance parameters), a secondary action to manage the risk. In an underground mining process this could be the monitoring of erosion in an ore pass in order to determine if reconditioning is required. In a mineral processing plant this could be to monitor pressure drop across a filter in order to determine when the filter is blocking and hence when to clean or change the filter media. In a safety context this might be the use of task observations to determine when re-training of personnel in work methods is required, or the use of a hazard assessment process prior to the commencement of a task. • Initiate Service actions based on a pre-defined interval or life. This type of strategy may be appropriate where the probability of a risk is initially very low, but shows a rapid increase after a relatively consistent time or service interval. Implementation of this strategy relies on measuring a proxy for the probability of unwanted event development (typically