Risk analysis and occupational safety strategies in chrome mining operations: A quantitative evaluation using the Guleman-Elazığ case study
Abstract
The present study examines the workplace risks at a chrome mine in the Elazığ-Guleman region, and evaluates the corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) applied there. Risks were scored with the L-Type 5×5 Matrix Method. The data cover 108 occupational accidents recorded at the mine in 2021 and 192 risk factors grouped under eleven main headings. Vehicle-related accidents made up 35% of the total, and 47% of accidents were traced to human factors, mainly lack of skill and unsafe behavior. Among the risk groups, deficiencies in emergency procedures (42%) and psychosocial factors (35%) received the highest priority. We identified 51 high-risk factors and designed and implemented preventive measures for them. After the CAPAs, 95% of the risks were in the medium-risk category, which is the acceptable level for this operation. Emergency risks dropped from 42% to 28% and psychosocial risks from 35% to 33%. Many hazards in mining cannot be removed completely. Our results show that systematic risk management and the hierarchy of controls can still bring them down to an acceptable level. The study gives mine operators a method, supported by before-and-after figures, for checking whether their safety measures work and for keeping risks under control over time.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Occupational Health and Safety in Mines
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
September 30, 2026
Submission Date
October 2, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 18, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: 066