Stepping up safety communications

Talking the talk, as well as walking it, is just as important at Rio Tinto Coal Australia when it comes to safety.

Our safety culture is one that requires regular discussion and awareness-raising, which we do through safety interactions, toolbox talks, safety shares, incident grams and improvement grams.

However in 2009, all sites are being asked to increase their reporting of significant potential incidents including near misses - in a bid to help eliminate potential harm.

“Significant potential incidents regularly occur throughout our coal operations. These are incidents that have actually happened but resulted in only a minor injury or no injury at all,” said chief operating officer, Darren Yeates.

“Some of these have potentially significant outcomes, including the potential to cause death. As a result, we need to identify these, learn from them and seek to eliminate them from our business.

“This is why we must report and communicate all incidents that occur throughout our business – not just the serious incidents and recordable injuries.”

Darren said all Rio Tinto Coal Australia operations have been asked to focus on increased reporting of significant potential incidents in order to help eliminate their occurrence. The operations are maximising all efforts to ensure everyone returns home safely each and every day.