Safety

 

May 2009

• Safety is first and foremost for all members of the Association and member companies invest their time and effort in developing and maintaining a positive safety culture at all their operations.

•  Saskatchewan mines have an excellent safety record.  This record is recognized at the National level, as Saskatchewan mines have been frequent winners of the national J. T. Ryan Safety Awards sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum and MSA Canada (Mine Safety Appliance Company).

•  Mining represents one of the safest industries in the province, averaging less than one Lost Time Accident (LTA) for every 200,000 hours or 100 years worked for the past 16 years.

•  Saskatchewan mining has some of the lowest Workers’ Compensation Board assessment rates in the province – lower than workers in the health or government sectors; a result of continuing efforts to reduce accidents through improved training and safe workplace practices.

•  Looking at the frequency of home injuries, statistically it is safer working in the mining industry than around the house.

•  The SMA Safety Committee is comprised of dedicated Safety Professionals from all mine site operations. They meet monthly to share information pertaining to their sites.  Their mandate is:

 o   To form a network of safety personnel to share information on accidents, dangerous occurrences, potential hazards and safety product information to enhance health and safety at mining operations. 

o   The Safety Committee is the common voice for the mining industry in the establishment of review of Acts, Regulations and Codes which may impact the health and safety in the mining industry.  The Safety Committee sponsors joint training initiatives which benefit all members, and is active in promoting health and safety, not only at the mines but also throughout the province

o   The Safety committee also promotes excellence in mine rescue, emergency response and mine planning.  Over 200 emergency response personnel from Saskatchewan mining operations participate in various Mine Rescue, Fire Fighting and First Aid competitions each year.  The Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Skills Competition  is held at the conclusion of Saskatchewan Mining Week and showcases teams’ proficiencies.

•  Forty-two years ago, at the Association’s first Annual General Meeting, one of the key initiatives reported on was working with the Mine Safety Inspection Branch to develop an acceptable standard for mine and rescue equipment at each mine and for the training of crews.

•  The Mine Safety Unit, Occupational Health and Safety Branch of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour  inspects all mines in the province on a regular basis.

•  Saskatchewan mine supervisors are required to hold Department of Labour certification of their knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, certification in First Aid, and certification in Supervisory Duties in an Emergency. No other industry in Saskatchewan has these safety requirements.

•  Active Occupational Health and Safety Committees are an important part of Saskatchewan mines’ efforts to reduce accidents in the workplace.

• Safety training at Saskatchewan mine sites is continuous with workers initially having an extensive safety training orientation that is reinforced by ongoing safety programs,. All crews have regular safety briefings to ensure that safety is the first criteria considered before any task is undertaken.

• Though rare, instances such as the underground fire at Esterhazy in January 2006 reinforce the importance and value of the daily effort placed on safety and the training all employees receive. The orderly and professional emergency/mine rescue response showcased Saskatchewan’s and Canada’s leadership in the area of mine worker health and safety.

• Saskatchewan mining companies have upwards of 1000 trained emergency response people, many of whom live in smaller communities throughout the province.

• The Exploration Safety Sub-Committee successfully hosted their first Exploration Safety Workshop in May 2009, with over 120 participants from a dozen companies attending.

• Many mining companies offer First Aid and CPR training to all their employees as well as to their spouses, contributing to the Emergency Response capabilities of many communities.

• Saskatchewan’s mining industry, through the Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA), is actively participating in research projects that will result in safety improvements at mines.

• Saskatchewan’s mining industry is a strong supporter of the Saskatchewan Safety Council’s “SAFE SASKATCHEWAN” initiative, and the SMA works with other like-minded Safety Organizations to promote the culture of safety at the workplace, and at home.

• The Saskatchewan mining industry believes one accident is too many and our companies continually strive toward the elimination of all injuries.