Ontario mining health and safety review public consultation dates announced

Ontario is conducting a comprehensive, one-year mining health, safety and prevention review led by Ontario’s chief prevention officer (CPO).
The review will examine a number of topics to help ensure an even stronger and safer mining sector, with the CPO receiving expert advice and strategic input from an advisory group of industry, labour, and health and safety representatives.

The group was established to ensure the public’s and stakeholders’ views are reflected in the review.

The advisory group met for the second time on Feb. 19 in Sudbury. Members agreed to create working groups to examine the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) in the mining sector, to explore the ability of the current system to meet the occupational health and safety needs of the mining sector, and to examine health and safety issues relating to technology and risk assessment.

The advisory group will continue to meet in Sudbury on the following dates:
• April 8
• June 10
• Sept. 10
• Nov. 26

As part of the review, public consultations will be held across Ontario by the Ministry of Labour.

Upcoming consultation locations include:
• Timmins — March 31
• Kirkland Lake — April 1
• Sudbury — April 2 and 3

Consultations are also being planned in:
• Red Lake
• Marathon
• London

Dates and meeting details will be made public when confirmed.

The ministry would like input on a variety of topics, including:
• experiences working in the mining sector
• health and safety hazards in the mining sector
• impact of new technology
• internal responsibility system
• training skills
• workforce issues
• emergency preparedness
• ability of the current system to meet the occupational health and safety needs of the mining sector.

A consultation paper will be released this spring. For further information on the review please contact Wayne De L’Orme, Director at (416) 212-7870 or [email protected].