SLAM - Risk Management for Miners

The Risks process is a useful survey performed during risk assessment to help involved parties understand the hazards inherent in the task to be accomplished. It is a tool that MSHA strongly promotes to help miners remain vigilant and aware of potential dangers during mining operations. It also helps miners determine whether appropriate precautions have been taken or should be taken to check those dangers.

SLAM is an acronym that stands for the following:

STOP - Miners must stop and think through the task to be accomplished. This is especially important if the miner is new to the task or the task is rarely performed at the mine site. However, miners should approach frequently performed tasks the same way to guard against over-confidence.

LOOK - Miners must identify the hazards for each step of the task. They should also keep an eye out for anything not previously considered.

ANALYZE - Miners must determine if they possess the proper knowledge, training, and tools for the task. Here again, it is important for miners to assess any potential hazards and identify ways of preventing them.

MANAGE - Miners must control or eliminate hazards. They can do so by ensuring that they are using the appropriate tools for the task and are outfitted in adequate protective equipment for the job.

To learn more about MSHA Part 48 training requirements visit our MSHA Part 48 Subpart B Surface Mining Online Training web page.