Who must the SSE consult with when developing a standard operating procedure?

• A. A cross-section of the mine's coal mine workers involved in carrying out a task
• B. The board of directors
• C. External consultants
• D. No consultation required

Answer: (A)

Consulting with the people who actually perform the task is essential. When developing a standard operating procedure, the individuals who carry out the work know the practical steps, hazards, and safeguards better than anyone else. The SSE has to establish a safe system of work, and that relies on input from workers to reflect real conditions, confirm that controls are workable, and ensure the procedure is usable on the ground. Involving a cross-section of workers—covering different shifts, experience levels, and roles—brings in diverse insights and helps catch issues those drafting the SOP might miss, making the procedure both safer and more effective. The other options miss the core point: the board handles governance, external consultants may help but aren’t the required source of frontline input, and saying no consultation is required ignores the safety-focused practice of involving workers in developing procedures.