With the implementation of Proximity Detection Systems (PDS) technology set to gather pace as surface mines seek to comply with gazetted regulations, PDS specialist Booyco Electronics emphasises that attention should be given to managing ‘the people aspect’ – to ensure successful adoption and use of the technology.
Safety regulations require all mining operations to mitigate the risk of collisions between pedestrians and vehicles and between vehicles.
Anton Lourens, CEO of Booyco Electronics, believes the people aspect is the most important part of the PDS implementation journey, or any other new technology, in general. Effective change management minimises potential resistance and ensures a smoother transition.
“The success or failure of any technological implementation depends, to a great extent, on the effectiveness of the organisation’s change management strategy,” Lourens says. “The change management process should involve not only those at the ‘coal face’ but also other key stakeholders, including management and executives, to ensure understanding and integration across the organisation.
“Employees’ willingness to adopt new tools in their day-to-day operations plays a key role in the overall success of the technology. It is important for people who use the technology to understand its purpose, benefits, capabilities and expected outcomes. When these are shared, there is increased buy-in and user adoption, which are key to overall project success,” says Lourens.
Booyco Electronics’ change management process helps mines get the most value out of their PDS investments and keeps personnel engaged and motivated. The first step, explains Lourens, entails a technical readiness assessment to understand how the technology will impact the mine in each respective case. This often involves wide-ranging engagement with the engineering and mining departments to explain the capabilities of the technology – what it can and what it cannot do.
Once the capabilities of the technology have been defined, aligned to the mine’s Risk Assessments, the company starts with the provision of detailed training for employees to grasp why the mine is investing in the technology and how it works.
“In addition, Booyco Electronics offers refresher training courses in line with the mine’s identified needs. Based on the feedback from the mine, there is also a continuous optimisation process which helps support the ongoing success of the technology,” says Lourens.
For more information visit: www.booyco-electronics.co.za