Page 1 of 4 WSN Mining Advisory Committee Meeting – November 24, 2016 – FINAL
MINUTES
WSN Mining Advisory Committee Conference Call MEETING
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Thursday, November 24, 2016
Present: Michael Ferguson Engineering Manager, Foraco Canada Diamond Drillers Mike Huard Mill Operator/Pres. USW 7580, Goldcorp Canada Ltd., PGM Unionized Labour/USW Dan Laing (Chair) Chief Mine Engineer, KGHM – Morrison Mine Nickel Al Robb Safety Representative, Unifor, Compass Minerals Unionized Labour/Unifor Regrets: David Church Jamie Mortson Corp. H&S Supt., Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd. Gold Dennis Sobey (Vice‐Chair) Global Training Lead, H&S Team, DMC Mining Services Contractors WSN: Philip Dirige Ground Control Specialist Carol Michaud Executive Assistant (meeting secretary) Mike Parent Director Mining Shawn Rideout Chief Mine Rescue Officer, Ontario Mine Rescue
1. Welcome
Dan Laing, Chair, led the meeting and began by welcoming everyone. He relayed regrets from Dave Church, Jamie Mortson and Dennis Sobey.
2. Approval of Agenda There were no additions to the agenda. Proceeded.
3. Health and Safety Share There was a brief discussion about driving visibility and windshield products that help dissipate precipitation. (Rain.X Windshield Treatment – improves wet weather driving visibility by repelling rain, sleet and snow). If a film appears on the windshield from an accumulated use of the product it can wiped clean with vinegar.
4. WSN Update – Mike Parent
a. Mine Rescue – Shawn Rideout 4.a.1. Ontario Mine Rescue Handbook – two sections being revised to comply with Mining Regs. Working group
comprised of Industry, Ministry of Labour (MOL) and Mine Rescue Officers (MROs). Draft being reviewed and recommended to the Mining Legislative Review Committee (MLRC).
4.a.2. Sudbury MR Station and Office relocation – tenders awarded in early December with a potential move‐in date of April 1, 2017.
4.a.3. Increasing the minimum number of BG4s from six to 11 in Mine Rescue Sub‐Stations. Will equip first and second rescue teams on site.
4.a.4. Tablet project – tested during the Provincial and International competitions, also in Timmins at Kidd (deep mine); Thunder Bay – Lac des Iles and Musselwhite Mine. Advantage of providing live transfer of photos/videos, real‐time communication between the rescuers and briefing officer in the command room. Completed approx. 60% field‐testing – will be exciting to roll out.
4.a.5. Recruiting two MROs for Sudbury and Onaping and one in Thunder Bay.
b. Program/Product Development 4.b.1. Revising ground control module in the Supervisor Common Core. 4.b.2. Developing a H&S Rep module to meet new legislation for organization with fewer than 20 employees. 4.b.3. Working at Heights (WAH) Refresher.
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4.b.4. Ground Control Video – expect a trailer for the Mining H&S Conference; targeting a spring completion.
c. Stats 4.c.1. Lost Time Injuries (LTI) reductions in 2015‐16; 10% improvement for all sectors; 15 less people having LTIs 4.c.2. Totals for 2016 will be available in March 2016 as an infographic on time for the conference.
d. Communications – Mining H&S Conference – April 18‐20, 2017
4.d.1. Call for papers for breakout sessions on the Thursday – align with/compliment the theme – innovations in mining safety/Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). Tentative outline of conference program completed. Some highlights: Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) update; Steelworkers; McIntyre Powder (aluminum dust) Project.
4.d.2. Report on the Climate Assessment and Audit Tool (CAAT) pilot – provide more clarity/understanding of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) – during the Tuesday Registration/Reception evening.
4.d.3. Sponsorship pkgs. being updated – will be distributed in the next couple of months. Promote sponsorships with live stream banners during breaks; live streaming – attain local/national/international audiences; promote/market WSN.
4.d.4. Trade Show – indoor/outdoor – vendors will be displaying throughout the entire day – more interaction ‐ sitting/standing options.
5. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Update/Discussions – Philip Dirige
a. Ground Control Technical Advisory Committee (GC TAC) – WSN will use the term “Recommended Practice” for its projects instead of “Guideline” which is the term used most often by the MOL.
b. There was some discussion about the Sub‐Committee struck (Mike Huard, Dan Laing, Mike Parent, Dennis Sobey) at the last Mining Advisory Committee (MAC) meeting to assess the Technical Advisory Committees and provide some guidance on how to move forward and support industry and system partners without duplicating efforts – work together vs. independently. Will look at connecting with all the players (Mgt. and Labour) and gather firm feedback to make recommendations to MAC at the February 2017 meeting and present in April. – Sub‐Committee, Mike Parent and Philip Dirige. (A)
c. Safety and Loss Control TAC – part of above discussion – need scope of work – to be of value to industry; accountability for deliverables. Mike Parent will forward the “Scope of MLRC Sub‐Committee – Ground Control. (A)
d. Deliverable date for the Blasthole Stoping Handbook for next meeting – Philip Dirige will confirm with Rick Banting. (A)
e. An update for each TAC’s projects and research was provided as noted on handout previously distributed. i. Best practices for assessing ground control hazards in the workplace – finalizing at the December 8 GC
TAC meeting. ii. Expanded on the Rock Bolt Pull Tests Database and Analysis for Ontario’s UG Hard Rock Mines – data
being collected by two researchers; GC TAC members provided a list of smaller operations to visit. iii. Creation of an Ontario Mining Exposure Database – completed; analysis (conversion) of database.
6. Review of Minutes of Previous Meeting – September 29, 2016
Minutes adopted as distributed.
7. Action Items/Business Arising from Minutes – September 29, 2016 a. COMPLETED: p.2/8 Item 3.: Terms of Reference – proposed changes – brought forward by CEO recommending
approval to the Board of Directors at their meeting on November 28, 2016. The Board approved the changes. Request to post Revised Terms of Reference on WSN website occurred on December 7, 2016.
b. Carry Forward: p. 4/8 Item 8 b.: Dennis Sobey will share a tool about “incident energy” that his organization is developing – Dan Laing will follow‐up.
c. Carry Forward: p. 4/8 Item 8 c.: Social Media Analytics comparison at next meeting.
d. Carry Forward: p. 7/8 Item 10: Sub‐Committee looking at TACs – recommendation at next meeting.
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e. Carry Forward: p. 8/8 Item 13: Bring forward MAC concerns to the Mine Rescue TAC around training for surface rescue (emergency preparedness).
f. COMPLETED: p. 8/8 – well done – Incident Report on Physical Barriers – presentation by Jamie Mortson – well done.
g. Carry Forward: p. 8/8 Item 14 b.: Mike Ferguson will forward 2017 CDDA meeting dates for everyone’s information – Eastern and Western divisions meet quarterly.
8. Industry Partners – Updates
a. Ontario Mining Association (OMA) Safety and Training – no recent meeting. – Conducting Bowtie assessments – looking at five hazards identified in the Mining Review – collecting Risk Assessment best practices from organizations – compiling into one document. Trying to wrap up by year‐end.
9. Current and Future Initiatives
a. Research Funding – Abstract – Risk Assessment Tool for Occupational Disease (OD) – previously distributed. The Industrial Hygiene (IH) Qualitative Risk Assessment Tool is a laptop/tablet application designed to assist H&S professionals in the development of a risk registry for chemical and physical agents in the workplace. It will assist in prioritizing and managing risks associated with OD. WSN is working in collaboration with Golder & Associates, Centre for Research in Occup. H&S (CROSH). Tight submission line. Suggestion that OHCOW might be a potential partner.
b. Institute for Work & Health (IWH) – providing the research function for IRS CAAT pilot.
c. CAAT – share results of pilots at the April 2017 Mining H&S Conference.
d. WSN Marketing Communications Looking at improving what and how we communicate progressively with industry.
i. Monthly: mining or generic topic ii. Quarterly: Newsletter – contain a short, effective video by Director, specific to the sector with related
links to articles/resources. iii. Targeting the Safety Professionals. iv. Posters – target workers – urgent matter/pertinent information – brand WSN – who we are and what
we do.
10. MAC Members Representation/Round Table As a standing agenda item this is an opportunity for individuals to share or discuss industry H&S concerns, innovations, or best practices. a. Thank you was extended to past Chair, David Church and Vice‐Chair, Al Robb for their numerous years of
contributions and commitment to health and safety and WSN’s Mining Advisory Committee.
b. On behalf of the new Chair, Dan Laing and Vice‐Chair, Dennis Sobey appreciation for the recent election and support was expressed.
c. Mike Ferguson reported that the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association (CDDA) launched their Drilling Excellence Certification DEC program – accreditation for all diamond drillers. “The Canadian Diamond Drilling Association has launched DEC to establish a new, higher standard of quality in the diamond drilling industry. DEC will support drill contractors in improving health and safety, environmental and quality performance.” – Excerpt from CDDA website.
i. Foraco on board – completing audit process.
d. Firm focusing on better communication with front line workers – educate, provide training and create a desire/understanding for teamwork. IRS CAAT Report – may offer some solutions to gain front line engagement and an effective IRS.
e. Concerns expressed about the new legal requirements for Ontario mines on Risk Assessment coming into effect on January 1, 2017. What does it mean for the employer/employees? What are the requirements in meeting the new legislation? After some discussion Mike Parent supported the following two action items:
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i. Will request the MOL’s summary clarifying Legislative Requirements that will be presented to the MLRC on Dec. 1‐2, 2016 and WSN would send out to our industry sooner. (A)
ii. Will communicate with MOL and bring forward industry’s request for resources to assist them prepare for the new legislation prior to January 1, 2017, i.e. a webinar for guidance. (A) COMPLETED – WEBINAR SCHEDULED FOR December 21, 2016: Changes to Regulation 854 Mines and Mining Plants of the Occupational Health and Safety Act will be reviewed, with a focus on risk assessments, water management programs, traffic management programs, and the recording of seismic events.
f. Reminder that it is important for TACs to set specific goals/deliverables, timelines and adhere to these.
g. Evaluation Scan: reviewed with group.
11. Committee Evaluation – Compile into a report for CEO Pleased to announce that a 100% response was attained. Thank you for your valuable input. Once compiled, final report will be forwarded to CEO.
12. Next Meeting Date for 2017 – objective to have 100% participation:
Conference Call: 8:30 a.m. Thursday, February 16, 2017 (Carol Michaud – absent – admin. support required.) Face‐to‐Face: Tuesday, April 18, 2017 – prior to conference – Sudbury Face‐to‐Face: September 26‐27‐28, 2017, Board Meeting; Advisory & Board Meeting/AGM; MAC meeting on
the 28th in North Bay. Best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe holiday season were exchanged.
