Key Issues with Current RII Training and how can it be improved
Improving Resources and Infrastructure Industry (RII) training in mining to better align with risk management principles rather than just control-based compliance requires a shift in training content, delivery methods, and assessment processes.
Many RII training courses:
Prioritise compliance over risk understanding – Focus on checklists, procedures, and regulatory compliance rather than critical risk analysis.
Lack practical, scenario-based learning – Workers are trained in theoretical control measures but often lack real-world hazard identification skills.
Over-rely on competency tick-offs – Training is often a box-ticking exercise, with workers passing courses without truly developing risk-based decision-making skills.
Fail to address evolving risks – Courses may not cover new mining technologies, automation risks, mental health, or dynamic risk assessment.
How RII Training Can Be Improved
1. Shift Focus to Risk-Based Thinking Rather Than Just Compliance
Current issue: Training materials often focus on following pre-set procedures rather than evaluating whether those procedures are effective in reducing risk.
Improvement:
Embed risk assessment skills in all RII units.
Ensure training includes how to identify, assess, and mitigate risks dynamically, rather than just following pre-approved controls.
Example: Instead of teaching "follow this confined space procedure," train workers to recognise when a confined space risk is changing (e.g., rising gas levels) and adapt accordingly.
2. Incorporate Real-World Scenario Training
Current issue: Training is often theoretical or classroom-based, without enough practical, high-risk simulations.
Improvement:
Introduce VR simulations and scenario-based training for hazard identification and emergency response.
Use case studies from real mining fatalities and incidents to teach what went wrong and how risks could have been managed differently.
Example: Instead of a generic "working at heights" module, use an interactive VR simulation where trainees must recognise and mitigate a falling hazard in real time.
3. Move Beyond Simple ‘Competency’ Sign-Offs
Current issue: Workers can pass RII training by demonstrating basic procedural knowledge, without proving they can think critically about hazards.
Improvement:
Shift to demonstrated risk-based decision-making in assessments.
Introduce "dynamic hazard identification" tests where trainees are placed in changing environments and must respond appropriately.
Example: Instead of a multiple-choice test on risk controls, assessors should observe workers in real or simulated environments to see how they identify, assess, and control hazards dynamically.
4. Strengthen Supervisory and Leadership Training
Current issue: Many incidents occur because supervisors and managers lack the skills to ensure effective risk management.
Improvement:
Mandate critical risk training for supervisors as part of RII qualifications, and ensure that they fully understand what they are and how to review them for effectiveness.
Train leaders to recognise ineffective controls and empower them to challenge poor safety practices.
Example: Train supervisors to audit their own work areas for ineffective controls, rather than just relying on compliance inspections.
5. Adapt Training to Cover Emerging Risks
Current issue: Many RII courses do not address automation, mental health risks, or climate-related hazards.
Improvement:
Update training to include:
Autonomous machinery risks and remote operations
Fatigue and mental health risk management
Extreme weather hazards (heat stress, flooding, fire risks)
Example: New training modules could cover how workers interact safely with autonomous haul trucks rather than just standard vehicle safety.
6. Make Risk Management a Continuous Learning Process
Current issue: RII training is often one-off, with workers rarely engaging in ongoing quality risk management education that is of value.
Improvement:
Introduce ongoing refresher courses that focus on new risk trends and lessons from incidents.
Require workers to demonstrate continuous learning through regular workplace-based risk assessments.
Example: Instead of just renewing a competency card, workers should participate in yearly "real-world risk reviews" based on emerging hazards at their site or shared learnings from industry.
For RII training to truly improve safety in mining, it must move beyond control-based compliance and focus on real-world risk management skills. This means embedding critical thinking, practical hazard identification, and adaptive decision-making into every aspect of training, rather than just teaching workers to follow procedures and rely on the Supervisor telling them what they should do.
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