Aligning Skills And Equipment

The Dover Test© is a computer-managed skills test designed for operators of earthmoving equipment, and was developed in and for the mining industry, covering the skills needed for both surface and underground operations.

Developed by Dr Nick Christodoulou, owner of Dover Systems, in 1986, the Dover Test is a Health Professions Council of South Africa-approved test of psychomotor skills and competency.

“The origin of the skills test goes back to the 1960s, and is the mechanisation of assessment for safety, productivity and relevance. Recent studies by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and various universities point to a causal link between the psychomotor skill set of machine operators, accident/incidents, and safety,” says Christodoulou.

“Mechanisation is a big part of the mining world today. A variety of studies have been done, both locally and internationally, to establish a baseline for safe and effective mechanised mining methods.”

He explains that human error was reported as being 45% responsible for a large number of fatalities (Bonsu et al, 2017). The accidents are all categorised in the grouping of slips and lapses (attention and concentration), violations (attitudinal) and bona fide mistakes (actions and reactions). These combine the notions of fit-for-purpose equipment and competent people (Bullock, 1979).

In this context, he continues, the careful selection of operator skills that are aligned with the equipment to be used becomes paramount. SA Reportable Accident Statistics (Mining Safety, 2007 – an article from Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy) includes machinery, transport etc. Mistakes, either as a development, or as procedural, account for 43% of reports, followed by other rule violations (Bonsu et al, 2017). Lenke et all (2011) report skill-based errors as factors. This includes psychological possibilities and making equipment unfit for use by modification.

“Training and competence are also recognised as major systemic problems. This recognises the requirement for competencies to be established as a primary need to training and machine operation. This speaks directly to safety and risk management.”

Local studies

“The role of an objective and valid instrument – The Dover Test© – becomes important in this context. Early identification of the lack or absence of the necessary skills opens the pathway to future problem prevention. The role of such a psychological assessment battery in mechanised mining was developed in 1986. Dover was given a brief by a local platinum group metals mine to develop a battery of psychological tests to skill their operator group suitably for mechanised equipment.”

According to Christodoulou, a local study was completed using potential operators for underground equipment, in Brits, North West. A control group was studied at Kiruna Mine in Sweden, using the same mechanised equipment. The mine used standard mechanical and fitness criteria to select the potential trainees.

“The Dover Test© was used as a culture-free and skill-relevant test, using a group of five sub-tests and an overall rating of good, average or poor scoring. These tests measured the capacities identified with regard to recognition and reaction, attention and concentration, coordination and estimation of movement, and general insight,” he says.

“These tests provide an overall potential of accuracy of action and risk identification in a fit-for-work mechanised environment. The control study in Sweden and Germany – being the countries of origin of the equipment – helped to create the profile of a ‘Good’, ‘Average’ or ‘Poor/Problematic’ candidate.”

This profiling established the Dover Test© as a reliable, valid and contextually meaningful means of assessment, he continues. The test has since been adopted by the major mining houses, as well as incorporated in the South African labour legislation for mechanised mining (Government Gazette 38493, par 8.10.23, February 2015). Here physical and psychological fitness is required.

After he developed the required values and responses in 1986, he says the Dover Test© was introduced to various large mining houses.

“The test batteries were subjected to scrutiny by the Human Sciences Research Council in 1992 and 1995. A high test/retest correlation was also found with the individual sub-tests. These tests substantiated the decision-making hypotheses and objective measurement of the Dover Test©,” says Christodoulou.

Dover has since developed a bi-annual set of norms for the different groups. These are incorporated in the test batteries.

Help and training

The Dover Test© (registered with HPCSA #18/11/101, July 2018) is a computer-based skills measurement test. Christodoulou points out that the object of the test is to identify an overall skill potential – measured and reported as percentage of accurate responses – in an objective environment. The various A, B and C candidates are identified overall, but individual strengths and weaknesses can also be identified.

“Many companies use the test as an in-house-based assessment for selection. This covers recruitment, as well as reassessment of skill levels on an annual basis. Training on the implementation is a vital component of the supply of the test equipment. This is done practically or virtually, depending on the client’s situation.

“While the administration of psychological tests is permitted by law, the interpretation of psychological tests is a function reserved for registered psychologists and psychometrists, and professionals working with people.”

He notes that Dover is therefore compliant in the work as set out by the Equities Act, Labour Law and HPCSA. Dover is often asked by clients who have already purchased the Dover Test System to assist with training, how to administer the tests as well as interpretation thereof.

“Training is onsite or online. For first-time users we recommend onsite training.”

Dover also has a machine operator guide, which is used by many companies to define the categories of equipment best suited to the candidate. “These have been developed with industry input and matching test results,” says Christodoulou.

The Dover Test© provides information around the potential risk and repercussion of accidents/fatal incidents that may occur, and even potentially the legal implications. Dover provides clients with proper training to ensure that the clients are well informed and act within the law. In fact, he says, legal and union issues have been successfully resolved using the Dover Test©.

“Dover is by far the leader in the market when it comes to such services. The company conducts research on mines and other industries, confirming the validity of the Dover Test© for SA conditions and the SA market, as well as in international sites. Norms, updated bi-annually, training videos and seminars keep our users on track with changing environments and needs. All staff are qualified and Dover is also approved by universities to provide internships for psychometrists.

“It is no surprise to learn that Dover is the preferred supplier for a number of mining houses and rail services, as well as in the construction, transport and aviation industries, and across the public and private sectors. We operate locally and internationally, with a ‘standby’ help desk. We offer our tests and reports in various languages, and it should also be highlighted that reports will also be made available on a central database/cloud storage platform,” he says.

Mechanisation and accidents

• Taylor (2013) reports that mining fatalities are a real factor in the industries. This is a global figure assessment, which includes conventional and mechanised data.
• Mechanisation is a major advancement in the industry, which needs to take into account a different human factor to that of traditional mining.
• Despite the developments, according to mining safety, there has been an increase in fatalities and accidents in South African mines, which includes mechanisation and transport (both underground and surface). For more info visit our website
  www.doversystems.co.za or contact Dover Systems on dover@iafrica.com / +27 (11) 886-1400/1