Triggered Action Response Plan (TARP)
TARP is derived from a mine's Major Hazard Management Plan. It consists of a set of documented and known work place hazards that need to be continuously checked for.
The level of risk is also pre-classified and the responsible person carrying out the inspection has to perform according to this plan. Once the risk is identified, a remedial process is triggered which will escalate the problem to the level of responsibility that is required to deal with that risk in terms of the definition of the process. This TARP may be developed for any of the major hazard areas within a mine, be they related to transport, rock, stored energy or falls of ground.
The programme in terms of combating uncontrolled falls of ground:
- The Major Hazard Management Plan for the mine is reviewed.
- The rock-related hazards are identified, photographed and documented.
- A reference-card system is produced depicting:
- A high-definition photograph of the hazard (fault, brow, dyke, blast-induced fracture, etc.)
- The hazard is named and described
- The hazard is coded in terms of the risk it poses and the action it triggers is attached:
- Green – minor risk, the "workplace team" can deal with the hazard and rectify as per mine standard and then continue with normal activities. Actions are recorded on the safe declaration document.
- Yellow – moderate risk, the affected area is "stopped" and barricaded off and the "Yellow Team" needs to be called for assistance. This team may include the shift boss, and health and safety representative, who together with the workplace team, should assess the situation and come up with a suitable remedial process. Once the conditions have been met and signed off, normal work may commence/resume. If not possible, the team can escalate the situation to a red coding. Actions are recorded in the safe declaration document and communicated to the rock engineering department.
- Red – high risk, the affected area is stopped and barricaded off and the "Red Team" is called for assistance. This team may, in addition to the members of the Yellow Team, include the section manager or mine overseer, rock engineer and full-time health and safety representative. An assessment of the situation is made and the recommendations are recorded. Only once the mine overseer has signed off that those recommendations have been complied with, may work continue. Actions are recorded on the safe declaration document and communicated to the rock engineering department.
- All mining crews are trained in the contents and application of the TARP system and the reference cards are carried with the team (competent persons and health and safety representative) in the workings.
- An E-learning system may be used to enhance the training and management processes attached to the system.
- All instances of a yellow or red code are communicated to the rock engineering department for further recording, data analysis, review and recommendations. This could include the review of standards, codes of practice, revised inputs at planning meetings and the issuing of special instructions if needed.
- A documented, common name base and understanding exists with respect to each identified hazard, the level of risk associated with it and the remedial actions to be taken.
- The relative persons have been given authority by management to prevent exposure to the different hazards and to call for the appropriate assistance.
- Management affirms that the safety of the employees over-rules other priorities.
- The TARP system enhances the examination and making-safe process.
Triggered Action Response Plan (TARP)
Workplace application
(Team – supervisor - management)
