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 Ice

PPE 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: [email protected]

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 “

into account.” as low as reasonably achievable, social and economic factors taken

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 [email protected]