1. Introduction to the EMESRT Vehicle Interaction Control Improvement Guide

1.1 Scope

The EMESRT Vision is a mining industry free of fatalities, injuries and occupational illnesses associated with operating and maintaining earth moving equipment.

Since 2013, EMESRT has facilitated an industry-level vehicle interaction project with the goal of improving the reliability of vehicle interaction controls in mining.

This guide has been developed to assist operating sites in the resources industry deliver successful projects that improve vehicle interaction controls.

1.2 Conditions of Use

This publication is written by practitioners for practitioners. While it acknowledges the extensive input of researchers, academics and other industry thought leaders, including referencing and applying their research and theory, it remains firmly based on approaches that have been successfully applied in mining operations.

This resource was prepared by EMESRT with the agreement of all content contributors. It is freely offered as part of an evolving good practice industry reference resource through EMESRT, and reflects the industry intent to collaborate and share information. As such it cannot be, nor is it intended to be, a prescriptive document. Instead it is expected that users will appropriately adapt the information, based on their specific circumstances and role.

However, EMESR retains copyright for both electronic and hardcopy forms. The document may be copied in part or whole, provided it is specifically for educational or training purposes only, the copies are not sold for monies, and each individual figure or hardcopy page used clearly acknowledges and references the source.

1.3 Objective

The overall objective of this guide is to provide consistent structured guidance for resource industry operating sites, so that they can deliver projects that improve Vehicle Interaction (VI) controls.

The guide has six further objectives

  1. Manage as a Project
  2. Phase 1 – Understand your vehicle interaction control baseline i.e. know where are you starting from
  3. Phase 2 – Identify and correct any gaps between the baseline design and current operations
  4. Phase 3 – Enhance existing approaches, by selecting and implementing design and technology innovations that iteratively improve operations (doing what we do now – but better)
  5. Phase 4 – Identify and implement step change design and technology innovations that improve operations (replace, or add to, what we do now)
  6. Phase 4+ – Fit your VI Control Improvement approach into the operating site and company digital strategy

2. Using this Resource

This resource is based on processes and approaches that have been applied at EMESRT member company operations to systematically improve vehicle interaction controls. This includes the operational integration of new technology VI controls.

Expected users are site and divisional leaders with the business knowledge and experience to plan and deliver complex business improvement projects.

2.1. Resource Structure

To assist users with project scoping, planning and delivery, this resource is organised around a hierarchical Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), with six objectives that are developed in the procedure below.

For each objective, the results required for success are listed. These are in turn linked to work packages that summarise the inputs necessary to deliver the results.

When combined, the results and work packages provide users with starting point information that can be adapted for site use.

Step 1: Set up as a Project

Conduct project planning – improving mobile equipment controls at operating sites is best conducted as a PROJECT. This requires coordinating multiple related activities such as:

  • Reviews and assessments of current VI control performance
  • Supporting experienced personnel to reassess and modify how they carry out their work
  • Change management
  • Stakeholder management
  • Operational validation and integration
  • New technology assessment and sourcing
  • Approvals and finance
  • Data collection and analysis

Also consider other related projects (e.g. future mine digitisation) in the project planning phase.

Apply existing “Company’ project management approaches to deliver required outcomes, including:

  • confirming a senior manager sponsor
  • appointing an appropriately experienced project manager.

Conduct a review of operating site vehicle interaction control status, using the the ICMM Maturity Framework Assessment tool. The site results from this broad review will assist both the senior manager sponsor and the project manager to make the business case, develop the project charter and manage stakeholders.

Step 2: Establish a VI Control Framework Baseline (Phase 1)

Following the EMESRT Control Framework (CFw) approach, establish a site VI control baseline to ensure:

  • External expectations of operating site – legal and company are captured and reviewed
  • The EMESRT nine-level layer control effectiveness model is applied
  • A project risk and control management process is established that can be reviewed and updated through each project step and passed on at project handover
  • A reference and consultation process is established for operational input and validation of key project steps
  • Effective change management reviews are completed and updated at each step, such as capturing the interactions between new and existing VI controls.

Detailed information is provided in the EMESRT Vehicle Interaction Control Improvement Project Guide 2020 below

Step 3: Confirm Existing VI Control Effectiveness (Phase 2)

This phase ensures that existing VI controls are robust, reliable and practical BEFORE investing in enhanced and/or new VI controls.

Detailed information is provided in the EMESRT Vehicle Interaction Control Improvement Project Guide 2020 below

Step 4: Enhance Existing VI Controls (Phase 3)

When existing VI controls (EMESRT Levels 1-7) are operating as expected, then options for enhancement can be considered.

Detailed information is provided in the EMESRT Vehicle Interaction Control Improvement Project Guide 2020 below.

Step 5: Implement New Intervention Controls (Phase 4)

The successful implementation and use of new VI intervention controls (EMESRT Levels 8–9) requires the integration of all levels and support processes of VI control for a ‘whole of system’ improvement.

Detailed information is provided in the EMESRT Vehicle Interaction Control Improvement Project Guide 2020 below

Step 5 Mine Digitization (Phase 4+)

While the delivery of future outcomes is beyond the scope of this resource, it is recommended that relevant aspects of plans in this area are considered during project scoping, development and delivery, and after handover.

Consider these aspects:

  • Infrastructure on mobile equipment, e.g. beyond delivering new VI controls, can the same equipment gather and transmit equipment location and performance data?
  • Mine infrastructure, e.g. leaky feeders for use underground, mesh networks, etc.
  • Dynamic mine planning, including mobile equipment management