Incidents

During 2008 the incident classification system used by Rio Tinto was revised to align with the improved risk management process.

All environmental incidents are now ranked using a qualitative risk assessment matrix, based on the maximum reasonable consequence and likelihood. Incidents are now classified using this matrix and a series of consequence descriptors. Incidents are rated using four classifications: low, moderate, high or critical. The previous classification system (i.e. category I to IV) is no longer applicable.

In 2008, Coal & Allied adopted the revised Rio Tinto incident classification system. This new system applies tighter controls, therefore some incidents previously classified as category II (moderate) may now be classified as high.

In 2008, our target was to achieve zero high or critical environmental incidents at Coal & Allied operations. This target was achieved for critical environmental incidents. This adds to the achievement that since 2002, no critical (previously category IV) environmental incidents have occurred at any Coal & Allied operation. However, the number of high incidents increased from zero incidents in 2007 to 16 in 2008.

The significant increase in the number of high incidents during 2008 is attributed to the change in the incident classification system. Under the new ranking system, any action which exceeds a licence or consent requirement is likely to result in a ranking of high. While there were 16 high incidents recorded during 2008, none of these resulted in a fine or penalty.

In total, nine related to minor water discharges (for example, a leaking water pipeline that did not result in environmental harm), five were related to exceeding external dust limits  under the applicable Development Consent and one involved the unauthorised disturbance of a cultural heritage site. It is due to the revised incident classification system that these incidents are now ranked as high.

Where applicable, incidents were reported to government within 24 hours. All Coal & Allied high ranked incidents are reported in the Annual Environmental Management Report (AEMR) to government, which was presented in February 2009.

In 2008, there was a slight increase in the number (80) of low and moderate environmental incidents compared to 66 in 2007. This was due to increased awareness and training of the importance of reporting all spills in excess of 20 litres.

Read our historic graphical representation of our previous data.