Levels Of Site Management

The safe, effective and efficient control of extractive industries operations requires the input, supervision and management by personnel with a range of competencies and experience.  Organisational structures and job titles vary substantially.  Nevertheless, the levels or grades of competency and experience required for the supervision and management of extractive industries operations can generally be regarded as:

·            Long-term operational management;

·            On-going operational management; and

·            Day-to-day operational supervision.

An example of where these levels are relevant is in the establishment, implementation and application of operational plans and management systems.

·             Plans and systems are normally of a long-term nature and are most commonly established by specialist employees or senior management (usually based off site), or by consultants.

·             For these plans and systems to be put into effect, they need to be implemented for individual operations.  This is an on-going activity because the application needs to be monitored and adjusted.  The person responsible for the implementation of the operation’s plans and systems could be either an employee of the organisation (based on site or elsewhere) or a consultant.

·            In addition, all operations will require a person, assigned to the site, who is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of other site personnel and site activities, and the application of the operation’s plans and systems.

Factors such as the nature of the deposit, the volume of production and the processes carried out will determine the size and complexity of an individual site’s operations, and consequently the level of management required.   Some sites will be owned and operated by companies with a number of such locations, while other sites will be stand-alone.
Small, less complicated operations may only require an on-site person who has appropriate day-to-day operational management competencies and experience.  This person would normally require the support of off-site, in-house personnel or consultants, to establish and implement the necessary plans and systems for the safe, effective and efficient operation of the site.  This person may not possess the competence (knowledge and experience) to manage a large operation, but for the purposes of The Institute’s Certified Practicing System, is generally referred to as a ‘supervisor’ even if they manage the site.

Medium sized and large organizations often have several small operations each with its own on-site supervisor with an area manager who is responsible for the on-going operational management for all of those sites.

On larger or more complex operations, there may be several work teams, each with its own team leader who applies the site plan on a day-to-day basis.  These may be under the overall management of an on-site manager who is responsible for both the day-to-day and on-going operational management of the operation.

The Institute’s system does not suggest that all operations must have a person who has Certified Practicing status (either as supervisor or manager).  Neither would The Institute encourage legislation to mandate such arrangements.  The Institute is simply establishing an arrangement by which individuals may provide evidence of their commitment as professional quarry managers and supervisors and by which companies might further demonstrate their due diligence and duty of care in appointing people to positions of responsibility.