Ermenek Mine Accident in Turkey: The Root Causes of a Disaster

Mining accidents are one of the critical safety concerns all over the world. From the general point of safety, it is important to identify human factors, especially violations, and other types of barriers with respect to the occurrence of an accident. Root Cause Analysis helps to identify the mechanism behind accidents and develop future countermeasures for prevention. In the current analysis, Ermenek Mine Accident in Turkey was evaluated by using Root Cause Analysis Tool Kit and Manchester Patient Safety Framework (MaPSaF). Safety issues were structured by using Five Whys, Fishbone Diagram, and Barrier Analysis and safety culture were evaluated by using some of the dimensions of MaPSaF. Main factors were structured by using Five Whys, Barrier Analysis, and Manchester Safety Framework. According to these main factors, fishbone diagram was constructed. In general, natural, personnel, general policy in mining industry, and management issues in mining industry were determined as main four deficiencies affecting the occurrence and consequences of the accident. These main four factors were detailed in the fishbone diagram. The results indicated the importance of including different agents in the process of mining and working in cooperation to develop necessary policies and actions. Some methodological and practical suggestions were made for safety related issues. It is important to state policies related to basin in mining by considering both economic factors and safety factors. Moreover, reports related to safety issues should be more detailed by considering individual and organizational safety culture factors.