The first meeting took place on 15 May at the JSW Production Support Unit (ZWP). The meeting focused primarily on issues related to mine transportation and the implementation of new technical solutions.
- The purpose of our meeting is to promote best practices and share experiences related to mine transport and the implementation of new technical solutions. We want to draw on both our own experience and the findings from inspections, analyses and accident investigations - emphasized Marek Szyndler, head of the Engineering and Research Department at the Production Support Unit.
The meeting was attended by eighteen employees from all JSW mines – railway operators, locomotive engineers, traffic supervisors, and employees responsible for transportation systems. Representatives of the Regional Mining Authority in Rybnik discussed, among other things, issues related to the safe operation of underground transport, the most common causes of irregularities, and the conclusions drawn from analyses conducted by the mining supervisory authority.
- The topics we are discussing today were prepared with employees of the underground rail and suspended cable car transport in mind. We would like to highlight the issues we have analyzed and from which practical conclusions have been drawn. Our goal is not to point out mistakes, but to promote safe practices and raise awareness of potential hazards so that everyone can work safely - said Mariusz Napiórkowski, deputy director of the Regional Mining Authority in Rybnik.
During the meeting, particular attention was paid to the need to comply with technical and operational documentation and basic safety rules during the operation and maintenance of transport equipment. Specific incident cases and video footage depicting dangerous situations were also analyzed.
The participants highlighted the practical nature of the meeting and the opportunity to apply the knowledge they gained in their daily work.
- The topics presented by the Regional Mining Authority staff were highly relevant and directly related to the work of suspended cable car operators. The topics covered regarding the equipment used and its operation provided a lot of new insights that I will apply in my daily work in my division - said Mariusz Wojtanowicz, a miner with the GKT rail division at the Budryk Mine.
Daniel Starościk, the manager of suspended cable cars at the Knurów Section, emphasized the importance of reminding people of safety rules and the legal aspects related to underground transportation.
- I found the discussion of the legal aspects and the presentation of accident statistics interesting. This underscores how important it is to follow mining rules and regulations in order to minimize hazardous incidents - said Daniel Starościk.
The event was also attended by Adam Rozmus, JSW’s Vice-President for Production, Michał Majda, Director of ZWP and Jacek Walaszczyk, Director of the Regional Mining Authority in Rybnik.
The next meeting took place on 19 May at the Regional Mining Authority’s headquarters in Katowice and was intended for the authority’s employees. This time, JSW representatives presented the Group’s operations, the role of the Production Support Unit and the procedures related to quality control and technical verification of supplier bids.
- We are continuing our series of meetings with employees of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa. Their purpose is to create a platform for sharing experiences and discussing important issues. Each of our institutions has its own experiences and established practices - emphasized Robert Pasternak, deputy director of the Regional Mining Authority in Katowice.
Another key part of the event was the segment on communication in the workplace. The participants discussed communication skills, assertiveness and the role of feedback in creating a safe work environment. Topics discussed included cascading communication, communication quality, assertiveness and giving and receiving feedback.
- Good communication helps reduce tension, resolve conflicts and build cooperation based on trust, which is why it’s worth consciously developing it - emphasized Aldona Urbanek, lead specialist in JSW’s project management team.
The organizers unanimously agree that this series of meetings is intended to serve as the foundation for further cooperation between JSW and mining regulatory authorities. The goal of the initiative is not only to share experiences, but above all to develop solutions that will tangibly improve safety in mines.
The next event in the series, this time for employees of the Regional Mining Authority in Rybnik, will take place still in May.
