Operations | Occupational Health & Safety | Employment Standards |
Mining Health and Safety in
Ontario
Presentation to the
International Conference and Exhibition on
Occupational Health and Safety in Mines
Istanbul, Turkey
December, 2014
Robert Barclay, M.Eng., P.Eng.
Provincial Coordinator, Mining Health and Safety Program
Occupational Health and Safety Branch
Ontario Ministry of Labour
Ministry of Labour
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Presentation Contents
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The Ontario Mining Sector
Fatalities in the Ontario Mining Sector
Ontario Mining Health and Safety Legislation
The Ontario Ministry of Labour
The Ontario Mining Health, Safety and
Prevention Review
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Mining Sector
 The Mining Sector:
– Employs approximately 40,000 workers across the province;
– Consists of approximately:
• 40 active underground mines;
• 250 active sand and gravel pits;
• 90 active pits and quarries.
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Mining Sector
 Sub-Sectors Covered Under the Mining Sector:
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Diamond Drilling;
Mills;
Open Pit Mines;
Quarries;
Sand and Gravel Pits;
Refineries;
Smelters;
Assay Laboratories;
Surface Plants;
Underground Mines;
Hoisting Plants;
Shaft Sinking.
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Mining Sector
 Commodities Produced:
– Base Metals:
• Nickel;
• Copper;
• Zinc.
– Precious Metals:
• Gold;
• Silver;
• Palladium.
– Diamonds.
– Industrial Minerals:
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Salt;
Gypsum;
Calcite;
Limestone.
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Mining Sector
Maps of Ontario Showing Geological Formations and
Mining Locations
Ministry of Labour
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Fatalities in the
Ontario Mining Sector
Ministry of Labour
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Fatalities in the
Ontario Mining Sector
 Main Causes of Fatalities Since 1991:
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Falls of Ground;
Vehicle Collisions;
Electrocutions;
Falls into Open Holes;
Falls from Equipment;
Falls of Material;
Inadequate Ventilation;
Runs of Material.
 Fatalities Rate for the Last Five Years:
– 11.3 Per 100,000 Workers for Underground Mines;
– 9.6 Per 100,000 Workers for Surface Mines.
Ministry of Labour
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Ontario Mining Health and Safety
Legislation
The Occupational Health and Safety Act
 Purpose of the Occupational Health and Safety Act:
˗ The Act was established in 1979. Its main purpose is to protect
workers from workplace health and safety hazards. It
accomplishes this by:
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setting out basic duties of employers and constructors;
setting out basic duties and rights for workers;
establishing controls for toxic substances;
setting out duties regarding workplace violence and workplace
harassment;
setting out a procedure to follow when a worker refuses unsafe
work;
prohibiting reprisals by employers;
providing for enforcement by inspectors;
establishing offences and penalties;
providing authority to make regulations.
Ministry of Labour
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Ontario Mining Health and Safety
Legislation
The Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Components of the Occupational Health and Safety Act:
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Part I - Application (i.e. Sections 2-4)
Part II - Administration (i.e. Sections 4.1 -22.1)
Part II.I - Prevention Council, Chief Prevention Officer and Designated Entities (i.e.
Sections 22.2-22.9)
Part III - Duties of Employers and Other Persons (i.e. Sections 23-32)
Part III.01 -Violence and Harassment (i.e. sections 32.01-32.07)
Part III.1 - Codes of Practice (i.e. Sections 32.1-32.4)
Part IV - Toxic Substances (i.e. Sections 33-42)
Part V - Right to Refuse Work Where Health and Safety is in Danger (i.e. Sections 4349)
Part VI - Reprisals by Employer Prohibited (i.e. Sections 50-50.1)
Part VII - Notices (i.e. Sections 51-53)
Part VIII - Enforcement (i.e. Sections 54-65)
Part IX - Offences and Penalties (i.e. Sections 66-69)
Part X - Regulations (i.e. Sections 70-71)
Ministry of Labour
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Ontario Mining Health and Safety
Legislation
The Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Key Regulations Associated with the Occupational Health and
Safety Act:
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Regulation 632 - Confined Spaces
Regulation 213 - Construction Projects
Regulation 833 - Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents
Regulation 490 - Designated Substances
Regulation 629 - Diving Operations
Regulation 414 - Farming Operations
Regulation 714 - Firefighters Protective Equipment
Regulation 67 - Health Care and Residential Facilities
Regulation 851 - Industrial Establishments
Regulation 854 - Mines and Mining Plants
Regulation 474 - Needle Safety
Regulation 855 - Oil and Gas Offshore
Regulation 857 - Teachers
Regulation 859 - Window Cleaning
Regulation 861- X-Ray Safety
Ministry of Labour
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Ontario Mining Health and Safety
Legislation
Regulation 854
Part
Sections
Some of the Key Topics Covered Under Part
I - General
2-24
 Equivalency
 Notices
 Mine Design
 Minimum Age Requirements
 Training
 Working Alone
 Mine Rescue
 Hoist Rope Testing
 Mine Plans
II - Fire Protection
25-45
 Underground Fire Procedures
 Refuge Stations and Fresh Air Bases
 Extinguishing Equipment
 Escape Ways
 Fire Doors
 Fire Procedures
 Fuel Transfer
III - Access to Workplaces
46-54
 Walkways, Stairways and Ladder Ways
 Underground Ladder Ways and Ladders in Shafts
Ministry of Labour
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Ontario Mining Health and Safety
Legislation
Regulation 854
Part
Sections
Some of the Key Topics Covered Under Part
IV - Protection of Workers
55-102
 Guarding of Openings
 Check-in Systems
 Non-Routine Hazardous Tasks
 Examination by Supervisor
 Procedures for Ground Control
 Rockburst Records
 Ground Support Quality Control
 Shaft Inspections
 Diamond Drill Holes
V- Haulage
103-120
 Motor Vehicles
 Vehicles on Ramps
 Haulage Clearances
 Safety Stations
 Roads on Surface
 Overhead Protection
 Material Dumping
 Vehicle Brakes
 Automatic Brakes
 Commissioning of New Vehicles
 Underground Garages and Fuel Stations
Ministry of Labour
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Ontario Mining Health and Safety
Legislation
Regulation 854
Part
Sections
Some of the Key Topics Covered Under Part
VI - Explosives
121-154
 Fume Classes
 Storage
 Inspection of Storage Magazines
 Electricity at Magazines
 Transportation
 Handling Delays
 Bulk Explosive Vehicles
 Pneumatic Loading
 Blast Design
 Procedures for Drilling
 Misfires
 Central Blasting
 Blasting Circuits and Devices
VII - Electrical
155-180
 Good Electrical Practices
 Notification of Electrical Installations
 Working on or Near Live Equipment
 Locking and Tagging
 Ground Fault Protection on Mobile Equipment
 Radio Transmitters
 Power Cables to Underground Workings
 Underground Trolley Lines
Ministry of Labour
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Ontario Mining Health and Safety
Legislation
Regulation 854
Part
Sections
Some of the Key Topics Covered Under Part
VIII - Mechanical
181-201
 Diesel Powered Equipment Underground
 Diesel Operating Procedures, Ventilation and Gases
 Air Volume Requirements
 Engine Exhaust
 Machine Guarding and Tagging Out
 Elevators, Escalators and Man Lifts
 Raising and Lowering of Workers with Cranes
 Fall Arrest on Scaffolds and Stages
 Lifting Devices
 Welding, Burning and Cutting
 Overhead Cranes
 Conveyors
 Raise Climbers
 Compressor Plants Underground
IX - Railroads
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 Standard Gauge Railroad Practices
Ministry of Labour
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Ontario Mining Health and Safety
Legislation
Regulation 854
Part
Sections
Some of the Key Topics Covered Under Part
X - Mine Hoisting Plants
203-250
 Hoist and Conveyance Certification
 Hoist Commissioning
 Hoist Log Books
Shaft Conveyances for Transporting Persons
 Hoist Rating Certificate
 Hoist Brakes
 Drum, Rope and Sheave Requirements
 Hoist Operating Controls
 Shaft Rope Testing
 Rope Attachments
 Shaft Signal Systems
 Hoist Operator Duties
 Transporting Persons and Materials
XI - Working Environment
251-293
 Ventilation and Auxiliary Ventilation Requirements
 Dust Control
 Lighting and Visibility
 Washrooms and Change Rooms
 First Aid Rooms
 Rescue Equipment
 Antidotes, Eyewashes and Showers
 Threshold Limit Values
 Radiation Exposure
Ministry of Labour
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Ontario Mining Health and Safety
Legislation
Process for Amending Regulation 854
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Phases:
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Stakeholder Input Phase
Ministry of Labour Review and Approval Phase
Political Review and Approval Phase
Stakeholder Input Phase:
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Recommendations for amendments to Regulation 854 are proposed by the Mining Legislative
Review Committee.
The Mining Legislative Review Committee is a bi-partite group consisting of Labour and
Employer Stakeholders and is overseen by the Ministry of Labour.
The Mining Legislative Review Committee and its Sub-Committees work with following
parties from within the Ministry of Labour to refine the proposed amendments:
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The Office of the Provincial Coordinator, Mining Health and Safety.
The Health and Safety Policy Branch.
The Legal Services Branch.
The Ministry of Labour prepares draft amendments to Regulation 854 based on the
amendments proposed by the Mining Legislative Review Committee.
Ministry of Labour
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Ontario Mining Health and Safety
Legislation
Process for Amending Regulation 854
 Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act:
– (1) The Minister may appoint committees, which are not
committees as defined in subsection 1(1), or persons to assist or
advise the Minister on any matter arising under this Act or to
inquire into and report to the Minister on any matter that the
Minister considers advisable. R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, s. 21 (1).
– (2) Any person appointed under subsection (1) who is not a public
servant within the meaning of the Public Service of Ontario Act,
2006 may be paid such remuneration and expenses as may be
from time to time fixed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1, s. 21 (2); 2006, c. 35, Schedule C, s. 93 (2).
 The Mining Legislative Review Committee is a “Section 21
Committee”.
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Ministry of Labour
 Vision:
– Ontario’s workplaces are safe, healthy, fair and harmonious and
balanced with the need to support a competitive and sustainable
economy.
 Mission:
– To advance safe, healthy, fair and harmonious workplace practices
that are essential to the social and economic well-being of the
people of Ontario.
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Ministry of Labour
Organizational Chart for the Ontario Ministry of Labour
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Ministry of Labour
 Ministry of Labour Health and Safety Programs:
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Construction Health and Safety Program
Health Care Health and Safety Program
Industrial Health and Safety Program
Mining Health and Safety Program
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Ministry of Labour
 Mining Health and Safety Program Resources:
– Field Staff:
• Mining Health and Safety Program Inspectors.
• Regional Program Consultants.
• Specialized and Professional Services Personnel:
– Engineers.
– Hygienists.
– Ergonomists.
– Head Office Staff (i.e. Provincial Coordinator - Mining
Office):
• Mining Program Specialists.
• Materials Testing Laboratory Personnel:
– Senior Engineer.
– Laboratory Technologists.
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Ministry of Labour
• Types of Activities Undertaken by Mining Health and
Safety Program Field Staff:
– Proactive field visits (i.e. inspections).
– Investigations into Events:
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fatalities;
critical injuries;
work refusals;
occupational illnesses;
complaints;
reprisals.
– Prosecution Activities.
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Ministry of Labour
 Types of Activities Undertaken by Mining Health and
Safety Program Head Office Staff:
– Supporting Ministry Field Staff;
– Supporting the Ministry Corporate Office;
– Providing Administrative and Technical Support to the Mining
Legislative Review Committee;
– Developing the Annual Mining Program Sector Plan;
– Developing Guidelines for the Regulations for Mines and Mining
Plants Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
– Establishing the Mining Program Annual Heightened Enforcement
Strategy;
– Overseeing the Mining Provincial Program Advisory Committee;
– Operating the Materials Testing Laboratory;
– Liaising with other Ministries.
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Ministry of Labour
Training Program for New Mining Health and Safety
Program Inspectors
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The training takes nine months to deliver and consists of:
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both generic and program specific components;
both field and classroom styles of delivery;
testing at regular intervals.
The training materials are developed and delivered by the Ministry of
Labour:
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Divisional Learning Unit;
Mining Program Specialists from the Mining Provincial Coordinator’s
Office;
Engineers affiliated with the Mining Health and Safety Program.
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Ministry of Labour
Training Program for New
Mining Health and Safety Program Inspectors
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Ministry of Labour
Refresher Training Program for Incumbent
Mining Health and Safety Program Inspectors
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Refresher training is typically delivered at “Learning Events” for
Mining Health and Safety Program Inspectors that are hosted two to
three times per year.
Refresher training consists of:
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a review of selected modules from the new inspector training curriculum;
advanced courses covering topics such as:
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explosives and blasting;
shaft sinking and inspections;
occupational exposure limits;
Specific courses designed for Electrical-Mechanical Inspectors.
Topics for refresher training are decided upon by Mining Health and
Safety Program staff.
Ministry of Labour
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The Ontario Mining Health, Safety and
Prevention Review
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The Review is being led by the Chief Prevention Officer of the Ministry of Labour.
It is being guided by an Advisory Group that consists of representatives from key Mining
Sector labour and employer stakeholder groups. It is being supported by an internal
Secretariat comprised of three Ministry of Labour staff members.
The Review was initiated in early 2014 and is to be completed by early 2015.
It’s initial focus is on underground mining.
The work of the Review is structured according to objectives that relate to the following six
aspects of mining health and safety:
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the capacity of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety System within the Ontario Mining
Sector;
management of change and new technology;
training;
the Internal Responsibility System;
health and safety hazards;
emergency preparedness and mine rescue.
A working group consisting of representatives from both labour and employer stakeholder
groups has been assigned to each of these six objectives.
Ministry of Labour
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