WCDA Safety Group Meeting Occupational Health and Safety Mine Safety Unit

Mine Safety Unit’s Role The Mine Safety Unit’s main responsibilities are enforcement of:  The Mines Regulations, 2003; and  The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996.

Mine Safety Unit’s Role We will work with industry on building a cooperative relationship; however, our role is to be the regulator and our job is to enforce the regulations.

Exploration Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) devotes the majority of its time to the primary industry of mining but we have not forgotten about mining’s foundation – exploration.  Karen Coates – Mines Inspector for Exploration

Workplace Safety Employers and workers share the responsibility for workplace safety.  Employers must provide a safe workplace; and  Workers must work safely.

Employer Responsibilities Provide a safe workplace by:  minimizing potential hazards; and  designing the workplace to maintain safety.

Employer Responsibilities Employers must report:  incidents causing bodily injury; and  dangerous occurrences that have the potential to cause a serious injury.

Employer Responsibilities Dangerous occurrence reports include:  the name of each employer, contractor and owner at the place of employment;  the date, time and location of the dangerous occurrence;  the circumstances related to the dangerous occurrence; and  the name, telephone number and fax number of the person to contact for additional information.

Employer Responsibilities After OHS receives a notification, the Mine Safety Unit can ask for more information if it is needed.

What’s New!

A Targeted Approach The Mine Safety unit is using statistics to conduct targeted inspections. We develop projects each year with a specific focus and inspect the work sites accordingly.

Priority Employers Workplaces that struggle to meet health & safety requirements become priority employers. Meetings with executive, improvement plans, quarterly reporting and inspections are used in the targeted intervention process. Targeted interventions are meant to reduce priority employers’ injury rates by 25% within a year.

Drilling Industry Statistics Which of the following causes the most injuries in the drilling industry? A.Struck by falling objects B.Caught in/compressed by equipment C.Overexertion in lifting

Drilling Industry Statistics What body part is most likely to be injured? A.Legs B.Arms C.Hands (not including fingers) D.Fingers and finger nails

Prevention Hazard recognition and control Keep hands clear of machinery Place hands carefully Use safeguards If feeding into machine, use tools Remove rings and jewelry Wear appropriate gloves and ensure they can’t get caught up

Prevention Use appropriate hand tools Ensure machines are safe Common Causes of Crush Injuries  Anywhere two objects meet  Pulleys, rollers, wheels  Falling objects  Drawers and Doors

Regulations There are many regulations to learn but it is easy to search a PDF version. Employers are required to have a copy of the regulations available to workers.

Regulations Navigation of the OHS Regulation The Ocupational Health and Safety Regulations 1996.pdf

Occupational Health and Safety Committees (OHC) Workplaces with 10 or more workers are required to have an OHC. The OHC is the ‘internal auditor’ of health and safety at your workplace. All workers should know who the OHC committee members are.

Occupational Health and Safety Committees (OHC) Workers can contact OHC committee members when safety issues can’t be resolved with their direct supervisor. It is prohibited to discipline or dismiss a worker for using their safety rights or carrying out their OHC duties.

Occupational Health and Safety Committees Members representing the employees and the employer need to cooperate for a functioning OHC. The OHC is required to meet quarterly at minimum; however, we encourage more regular meetings and inspections.

Occupational Health and Safety Committees The OHC will investigate dangerous occurrences & injuries. It will find ways to improve safety and prevent future injuries & incidents.

Contact Information Mines Safety Unit Occupational Health & Safety Ministry of Labour Relations & Workplace Safety (306) or

Questions?