Guideline for Applying System Safety in Autonomous Mining
Published: July 17,2024
Publication: 2024-09-22
Working Group: Autonomous Mining
Status: Current
System safety is used to demonstrate that the introduction of new technologies into a larger integrated system (e.g. a mine) is adequate in terms of managing the risks to the system as a whole. The approach is based on the fact that a system is more than simply the sum of its parts. It relies on scientific, technical, and operational skills to identify, understand and control the hazards; and to ensure the risk is satisfactory to operate.
GUIDELINE PURPOSE
This guideline is intended to assist with applying system safety practices to autonomous mobile equipment systems in mining, building from the existing GMG System Safety for Autonomous Mining White Paper. The purpose of the guideline is to understand that system safety is providing a process to evaluate safety rather than improving safety and health of people.
tHE "V" LIFECYCLE MODEL
The adapted “V” Lifecycle Model provides an overview of the safety related activities throughout a system lifecycle. The high-level summary of the phases is then broken down into separate tables highlighting their inputs and outputs. Continuous improvement is a crucial factor for the process and should be the linking factor across all 11 phases.
sYSTEM SAFETY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
There are a number of safety management activities involved when using autonomous mobile equipment in mining
including:
- Understanding in detail the hazards and associated risk
- Change management
- Management of systematic failures
- Configuration management
- Work design and competency management
- Deriving the right requirements and assuring they are met
- Training and communication management
- Maintenance plans
- Cybersecurity management
- System upgrade management
System Safety should include all the above considerations and should help make sure that the risks related to adopting
automation are minimized as much as practicable. While this process involves considering the system throughout the
life of the change, the key benefits are achieved before a system is in operation.
PRODUCT UPGRADE DEVELOPMENT
Following the implementation of the system, product upgrades are made for enhanced functionality or implementing new functionalities. The process in the guideline considers appropriate impact analysis procedures, planning and analysis, testing and evaluation, implementation and handover, and ends with monitoring to verify changes have addressed the performance requirements.
sAFETY CASE DEVELOPMENT
The safety case should inform mine operators of the ability for the system to satisfy the operational requirements of the system based on the site and application risk assessments and analysis of the hazards. The section includes a figure that highlights the similarities and differences for safety cases developed by the OPS vs the mine operator. The section also includes a table that includes content that is typically included in a safety case.
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