APPLICATION OF JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS IN COPPER MINING OPERATIONS: A REVIEW

Abstract

Job Safety (JS) is an important element in people’s lives in the copper-mining world despite risk challenges. The main challenges are the hazards and risks.  The purpose of the study was to establish whether the application of Job Safety analysis (JSA) could be a meaningful approach to evaluating the dangers that impinge on job safety. The purpose job explanation, the physical inspection, qualitative and quantitative risk assessment methods were used.  The results showed that a probability above 80% (81<X<100%) meant that the JS in that job step needed an urgent review.  The probability below 20% (20>X>0%) meant that the impact was trivial.  The probabilities between 21 to 40% showed that the impact was low and a decision can be judged by experience while that from 41 to 60 meant a medium impact and the decision could also be based on experience while that from 61 to 80% meant that the impact was severe and attention was needed to the process.  The areas that required urgent review, based on quantitative risk were in blasting, electricity, dust particles and ventilation with risk ratings of 88.2, 64.8, 16 and 12.8 % respectively. Based on qualitative risks, areas that required review include blasting (12.6 %), electricity (10.8 %) and dust particles (4.2 %). Therefore, the study emphasized that integrating JS and JSA with proactive hazard identification and mitigation could reduce workplace incidents. Involving the workforce and maintaining continuous feedback ensures JSA evolves with changing risks, enhancing safety culture and reducing accidents.