Critical Control Verification Checklist: How to Spot Weak Controls in Mining – 2025 Field Guide
Use this 7-step checklist to spot weak critical controls in mining. Learn what to look for during site visits and how to improve verification in 2025.
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In 2025, mining companies across Australia are under increasing pressure to prove that their critical controls are not just documented but working in the field. One of the simplest ways to do this is through routine site visits and field leadership activities that check control effectiveness in real time.
Here’s a practical checklist you can use tomorrow to spot weak or failing critical controls before they lead to serious incidents.
Critical Control Verification Checklist
Use these seven questions during your next site walkthrough, field interaction, or supervisory check:
- Are the critical controls visible and in place where they should be?
Look for physical presence and proper positioning of controls like barriers, interlocks, or isolation points. - Do workers understand what the critical controls are and how to use them?
Ask team members to explain the purpose of a control in their own words. - Can frontline supervisors clearly explain their role in verifying these controls?
Supervisory understanding and accountability are essential for sustaining performance. - Are control performance standards documented and accessible?
Standards should be practical, role-specific, and easy to reference. - Are there recent examples where the control failed or was bypassed?
Near-misses, workarounds, or informal practices may reveal underlying weaknesses. - Are inspection, testing, and maintenance records up to date?
Historical data can confirm if controls are functioning as designed. - Is there a verification process that checks functionality—not just presence?
A control is only effective if it works, not just if it exists.
What Do Gaps in These Areas Tell You?
If you find gaps in any of these seven areas, it may indicate a critical weakness in the implementation or effectiveness of a control. These gaps can lead to overestimated risk reduction, false confidence, and increased exposure to high-consequence events.
Use this checklist regularly as part of your:
- Field leadership routines
- Critical control audits
- Supervisor training
- High-risk work verifications
- Incident investigations
Incorporate findings into your improvement actions, training refreshers, or system updates.
Need Help Building Verification Routines That Work?
At Impress Solutions, we help mining companies across Australia design and embed critical control verification processes that are practical, field-ready, and aligned with real-world risk.
Our consultants support:
- Control performance standard development
- Verification routine design for supervisors and leaders
- Bowtie analysis and risk-to-control alignment
- On-site training to embed capability across teams
If you're ready to strengthen your critical risk program and improve frontline confidence in controls, contact us today. We’ll show you how to build a verification process that actually works.
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Ready to Save Lives at Work?
With Impress Solutions, you’re not just getting a service, you’re securing peace of mind with a partner you can trust. Book a free consultation today, and let’s map out how we can help you save lives at work.
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