exploration safety presented by: neil crocker, chief inspector of mines mines safety unit

Exploration Safety Presented by:

Neil Crocker, Chief Inspector of Mines

Mines Safety Unit

Exploration Safety Workshop

• Does the Mines Safety Unit devote more attention to exploration companies then other mining companies?– NO– Began devoting more attention to exploration

companies recently

Exploration Safety Workshop

REASONS:– Devote much attention to primary industry,

mining– Cannot forget about mining’s foundation

Total Recordable Injury Rate

• TRIR – total recordable injury rate =

LTA + MWI + MI

• TRIR 2011 mining – 2.78

• TRIR 2011 Exploration - 7.96

• LTA Freq Mining 2011– 0.3

• LTA Freq Exploration 2011 – 1.5

Total Recordable Injury Rate

• TRIR based on 400,000 hrs worked

• 1 fatal in 2011 with cat going thru the ice.

• Stat comprised mostly of MWI and MI.

Total Recordable Injury Rate

• Reliability dependant on understanding rules for reporting.

• Also everyone reporting

Working On Ice

• What is most important factor.

• Ice thickness– Date– Location– Ice quality

• Snow on Ice – does it matter– firm packed snow 25 lbs/f3– 10’x10’x3’ deep = 7500 lbs

Working On Ice

• Powered Mobile Equipment Operator Training– How to use equipment– How to evaluate site

• Including ice cover training• Best to reference: Saskatchewan Ministry of

Highways and Infrastructure Winter Roads Manual

Working On Ice

• What specific piece of knowledge does all ice clearing operators need on ice

• Berms have cracks under them and cannot be disturbed without special precautions

Working On Ice

• Effective Communication System– Workers working alone must have a means to

contact the outside world– On ice covers, immediate necessary

Working On IcePPE Required

– Floatation Clothing– Life Line– Hard Hats– Footwear– Eyewear– Ear Protection

– Visibility– Warning Devices– Emergency Kit

(Clothing, Food, Survival Equipment, Vehicle Emergency Equipment)

Working On Ice

• Work done on ice is done in pairs

• Supervisors also require training

Working On Ice

• Exploration companies– While not considered expert, are not relieved

of all safety monitoring responsibility– Due diligence

Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

Winter Roads Manual

• Contact Jennifer Ball (Preservation and Operations Specialist)

• @ Jennifer.Ball@ gov.sk.ca• Manual is a living document, she would be

able to send updates

Commencement of work (section 5 of

the Mines Regulations)• Notification required as soon as reasonably

possible when work is– Begun, resumed after interruption of 2 months

or more, or begun at major new part of operation

• Information to provide (sub-section 7(3) of The OH&S Regs, 1996)– Legal/business names & mailing address of

employers

Commencement of work (section 5 of the

Mines Regulations)– Location site, plant, process or place of

employment– Nature of work or process– Number of workers employed– Contact information– Start & end dates

• Notification address: neil.crocker@gov.sk.ca

Monthly Statistics (section 10 of the Mines Regs)

• No later than 14 days after the end of each calendar month– Employment and accident statistics for

previous calendar month

• Contact Karen Paulson for statistic form & e-mail address to send statistic form to– Phone number: (306) 933-5295

Uranium Exploration

• Provincial “Radiation Protection Guidelines for Uranium Exploration” outlines the basics for radiation protection of exploration workers.

• Exploration workers are exposed to NORM – Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials and are regulated provincially.

• The ALARA principle – radiation exposures should be kept “as low as reasonably achievable, social and economic factors taken into account.”

Uranium Exploration

• What does ALARA mean in practical terms for DD compamies

• Store Core away from drill

• Minimize geologist time with core

• Core splitting will require respiratory protection

Uranium Exploration

• Time, distance and shielding are basic methods used to minimize radiation exposures from NORM.

• Good hygiene and housekeeping is important to prevent inhalation and/or ingestion of NORM.

• The definitive document for radiation protection of incidentally exposed workers is “Canadian Guidelines for the Management of NORM” published by Health Canada.

Contact Information

Neil Crocker (Chief Mines Inspector)

Mines Safety Unit

Occupational Health & Safety

Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety

(306) 933-5106 or 1-800-667-5023

neil.crocker@gov.sk.ca