Improvement in Safety and Productivity through Innovative Solutions in Ore Handling Plant of Gua Ore Mines: A Case Study

摘要

Safety and health together is getting paramount importance. With the ever increasing demand for definite/mechanized human behavior at work, has reinvented humans as "machines"; whereas an individual at work is a composition of his thoughts, feelings, emotions and desires. Excessive stretch of human capabilities and over emphasis on "time" and "profitability" results in rising trend of industrial, mining and road accidents. Amidst all these variables the growth engines have to move with human beings on driver seats.It is a myth that with increase in productivity there is chance of increase in accident as well. Apparently it may appear true but, if we firmly believe that all accidents are the result of failure of Safety Management System and can be prevented, a new realm of possibility opens up. This paper is an attempt to establish that, a slight reorientation in our own mental disposition from reactive to proactive response and focus on the "CONTEXT", involvement of employees, supports from all stakeholders and determined leadership can create safety culture and innovative work practice in a section, unit, organization and nation at large. It can result in growth and profitability for organization.The paper is a case study of Ore Handling Plant (OHP) of Gua Ore Mines of Raw Materials Division (RMD) SAIL. The OHP was commissioned in 12~(th) May 1958 with 2.4MT capacity for handling of Iron Ore. With innovative approach, QC-concept (internalized and implemented) active involvement of workforce and safe work practices put in place, the OHP which was hardly dispatching 1.5-2.0 MT in 2009-2010 has attained the capacity of 4.0 MT production and 3.9 MT dispatch of Lump & Fines for last 2 years with Zero accident. Moving on the path of continuum improvement it is well poised to attain 4.5MT in coming years.The driving force in this feat had been "What a human mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve" as said by Einstein.