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The Travelling Canary
10 March 2009
The Mining Industry Skills Centre officially launched PROJECT CANARY at the Skills Centre’s annual Conference in September 2008 as a learning technology tool that enables users to truly apply the skills of risk assessment while encouraging behavioural change around safe working practices.
Over the past few months, the Skills Centre have been developing and finalising the first two PROJECT CANARY scenarios, and will shortly be hosting a series of interactive demonstration sessions whereby interested parties can trial these scenarios and find out more about the way PROJECT CANARY works.
The first scenario incorporates core adult learning principles and is designed to be used in a facilitator-led classroom. The scenario is based in a mine site workshop and the learner is required to perform a cleanup while identifying key hazards in their surroundings. They will be performing risk assessments, following tagging and isolation procedures and implementing appropriate risk controls.
Some examples of the learner’s tasks in this scenario include safely moving a pallet with a hoist cylinder to the side of the workshop, disposing of scrap metal and placing a barrier around a piece of equipment that is a dangerous safety hazard.
The second scenario is a vehicle interaction training tool and is intended to be used in a free-play mode. The learner is tasked as a replacement for a loader driver during a change of shifts. While completing this scenario, the player is required to select and operate a vehicle, moving from the administration building to the operating area while appropriately applying their skills and knowledge in a variety of situations.
The Mining Industry Skills Centre’s CEO, Mr Derek Hunter said that it was clear that the industry is changing and in order to complement current technological advances and ever-evolving training programs, the need for a new program emerged.
“PROJECT CANARY allows individuals or a class of people to engage in a learning tool that enables them to conceptualise and apply important safety concepts,” Mr Hunter said.
“The best way to learn – and learn what to do safely is by doing, and that is what PROJECT CANARY does best,” continued Mr Hunter.
Demonstrations of PROJECT CANARY will commence in Brisbane during March followed by a regional and interstate roadshow in April.
The Skills Centre will also be attending some key industry events throughout the coming year such as SimTecT in Adelaide, where visitors to our booth are invited to trial scenarios and enter the virtual world of PROJECT CANARY.
PROJECT CANARY is unique in that it provides a new depth to gaming by allowing the worlds to be contextualised to individual sites operating in Australia.
PROJECT CANARY has been developed for the industry and is now available to be purchased by organisations worldwide.