Quarry Supervisor

The Quarry Supervisor represents management at the worker level. They are critical to the success of the organisation, and to the ongoing safety of operations.

The Supervisor is responsible to directly oversee day to day operations and work activities. The level of supervision required is determined by the skills and experience of employees, and the nature of operations.

The Brady Review (2019) highlighted absent or inadequate supervision as a contributing factor in 78% of serious accidents examined (where supervision was required)[1]. A review of mining fatalities in Western Australia by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (2014) stated that the ‘training of supervisors is regarded as a key issue in accident prevention’[2].

While the role of Quarry Supervisor may not be legislated or regulated in all states/territories, all quarry operators have a duty of care to provide appropriate supervision to all workers on site, including contractors. Supervisors must be competent in the tasks they are supervising, with enough experience to provide effective supervision. This includes a detailed understanding of the hazards and risks present on site, and the control measures in place.

Quarry Supervisors should develop competency in five key areas:

Safety and Risk Management

One critical function of a supervisor is to ensure that risk is at an acceptable level by identifying hazards, assessing associated risks, and applying the hierarchy of controls to identified risks. They must also monitor the effectiveness of controls and make adjustments as needed.

Supervisors must understand the hazards and risks associated with quarry operations and ensure the consistent implementation of site safety procedures and processes.

Topics	IQA Products and Courses
Safety and Risk Management Systems (Implement)	Hazard Identification Contractor Management Intro to Safety Management Systems Effective Risk Management
Specific Hazards and Controls (Principal Hazard Management Plans)	Electrical Awareness Quarry Roads and Onsite Vehicle Safety Plant and Equipment Slope Stability Respirable Crystalline Silica Learning from Disasters Mental Health Drug and Alcohol

Leadership and Management

Supervisors are the members of the management team who are closest to the workforce. They must be able to lead and mentor others and communicate effectively both upstream and downstream.

Supervisors must also ensure the training of employees, confirming that they are competent to carry out work activities.

Topics	IQA Products and Courses
Supervision Leadership	Supervising for Safety
Communication Conflict Resolution	Supervising for Safety
Training Systems (Implementing) Verification of Competence

Emergency Management

Quarries can be hazardous places; emergencies are inevitable. Supervisors must be able to implement site emergency management procedures quickly and effectively, and ensure workers are trained and ready for emergency response. They must also be able to lead and carry out incident investigations, so that incidents can be learned from and prevented from recurring.

Topics	IQA Products and Courses
Emergency Management and Response	Emergency Management
Incident Investigation	Incident Investigation

Operations

Quarry operations can vary greatly in size and nature. Supervisors must understand all aspects of the operational area/s they are responsible for and ensure that work is carried out safely and efficiently, and in line with organisational goals and targets.

Supervisors must also be aware of the environmental impact of operations and implement sustainable practises.

Topics	IQA Products and Courses
Supervising Operations	Quarry Roads and Onsite Vehicle Safety Plant and Equipment
Environmental Awareness Sustainability	Under development
Quality Systems	Quarry Products Technical Training
Maintenance	Plant and Equipment

Personal Effectiveness

Supervisors establish and lead the culture of their work team. They must understand their personal attitudes, biases, and perspectives, and how they impact on interactions with others. They must demonstrate flexibility and resilience to navigate and adapt to change.

Topics	IQA Products and Courses
Diversity and Inclusion	See local Branch events
Interpersonal Communication	Under development
Resilience	Mental Health Awareness Supervising for Safety