Friction: Edition 17 | May 2024
FROM THE EDITOR
Safety and mining go hand in hand. With the majority of work being performed in high-pressure environments for long hours at a time and in remote locations, there are a number of factors to consider when thinking about the health, safety and well-being of all on site.
In this month’s edition, we explore the importance of incorporating safety in design and why safety measures must be featured prominently throughout the entirety of a project, from concept to closure.
We hear from Scott Lines, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at Red Earth Engineering, on the steps to take in successfully incorporating safety in design, the common pitfalls, and why geotechnical professionals should prioritise safety over other aspects of a project.
We also get to know David Reid, a Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia. David joins us as our Q&A feature this month and shares insight into his experience as a geotechnical engineer, his passion for laboratory testing and where he sees the industry heading in the next few years.
Want to connect with like-minded geotechnical professionals? Be sure to head to our events calendar to keep up to date with what is happening near you. If you’re interested in joining a geotechnical association in your area, check out our Associations Directory.
Regards,
Tim Cartledge
Friction is made possible thanks to our incredible contributors who offer up their valuable time to share knowledge and insights. Do you know a geotechnical engineer who’d enjoy Friction? Feel free to forward this email or share any of our news and features. You can also direct them to our sign-up link here.
Safety in Design in Geotechnical Engineering
Design optimisation is frequently front of mind when designing a mining project. However, in an industry with a high potential of risk, it is of the utmost importance that we, as geotechnical engineers, place higher value on incorporating safety measures in the design process to ensure the safety of workers on a mine site.
Scott Lines, Senior Geotechnical Engineer at Red Earth Engineering, discusses how safety must be prioritised in every phase of operations, including from the conceptual to the detailed design phase, and provides key tips on how to incorporate the essential safety measures in design to best prepare for the common pitfalls.
Q&A with David Reid
People are the bedrock of our industry, so let’s get to know David Reid, Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia. This month, we ask him the important questions from how he got his start in the sector to the advice he’d give to up and coming geotechnical professionals.
NEWS, PUBLICATIONS AND UPDATES
Risk assessment in geotechnical engineering
Risk management and control are arguably the most important factors when it comes to the design and construction of a geotechnical project. One way to ensure safety on a project is to know how to navigate uncertainty.
This article, published by The University of Newcastle, proposes that the traditional method of combatting uncertainty through conservative design or large contingencies is not economically conscious and that there are much more strategic streamlined approaches to design that should be considered to ensure safety.
How do you minimise risk in geotechnical engineering?
From understanding site conditions to using appropriate tools and techniques, there are a multitude of ways to ensure risk is minimised on a job site.
This collaborative article published on LinkedIn investigates the different ways geotechnical engineers can ensure safety on a project. It breaks down seven key strategies for how geotechnical engineers can reduce risk on a job site and invites other geo-professionals to weigh in on the discussion.
International standards for tailings dam management: Ensuring safety and sustainability
Safety and sustainability – two heavily repeated words in the mining space, but for good reason.
This article by the International Geotechnical Center looks into the importance of ensuring tailings dams for waste management on mining projects are built with safety and sustainability in mind and discusses the international standards related to tailings dam management, highlighting the contribution of ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams), CDA (Canadian Dam Association), and other organisations in shaping global standards for tailings management.
Mine management failure mechanisms – a geotechnical perspective
In times of low technical resources and a rapidly decreasing onboarding rate in the resources industry, mines must operate with a reduced workforce.
Julie Armstrong explores why geotechnical roles should be considered vital for the ongoing prosperity of operations by discussing the importance of geotechnical engineers in areas such as geotechnical failure, safety, design, economic factors and operational optimisation.
Geotechnical challenges in quarries: Balancing safety and economics
The excavation of quarries brings unique geotechnical risks that demand careful consideration. When navigating these risks, it’s essential to balance the factors concerning safety while being economically conscious.
Micheal T explores the distinctive geotechnical challenges posed by quarries and delves into the critical interplay between safety measures and economic feasibility.
HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?
Friction is about connecting our industry together. If you have an article, paper or insight to share we'd love to hear from you. Find out how you can contribute to Friction here.
