John Vergunst – Mining Engineer – Ontario Ministry of Labour

1. Panel IV: Managing Mine Accidents John Vergunst – Mining Engineer – Ontario Ministry of Labour Nickel Rim South Mine Headframe, Sudbury 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

2. This presentation will focus on: • Types of emergencies • Emergency Training • Mine Rescue • Non-fire emergencies • First Aid • Evacuation Plans • Managing accidents Forest fire near Dryden, Ontario 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

3. Emergencies PERSONAL INJURIES – evacuation to medical or first aid treatment – applies to all emergencies FIRES - surface & underground - surface fires can be just as deadly as UG, smoke & gases can get into the fresh air supply fans NON-FIRE ---- TOXIC OR FLAMMABLE GASES Underground: blasting operations, fire, diesel equipment, flammable gas, oxygen deficiency Surface: fires, diesel / gasoline equipment, process upset 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

4. Emergencies NON-FIRE EMERGENCIES – Continued POWER OUTAGES – loss of ventilation, cage & hoist, pumps, compressed air and any lights are not working. INRUSH OF WATER – failure of water dams or bulkheads, water seepage through surrounding, water draining from portal 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

5. Emergencies Ministry mandates training programs for miners & supervisors Program # 770121 - Modular Training StandardsCommon Core First Line Underground Mine SupervisorUnderground Hard Rock Mining Prepare For Emergencies - Module U6101 Terminal Objectives: 6101.01 - Identify site specific emergency plans & procedures 6101.02 - Ensure equipment & fixtures are in place & operable 6101.03 - Follow reporting/ communication procedures 6101.04 - Review site-specific emergency plans & procedures with employees 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

6. Emergencies • Employer to assess each site for hazards and have an Emergency Preparedness Policy which includes: • Roles and Responsibilities (names, phone numbers) • Communications • Public Information procedures • Emergency Safe Areas • Site Safety and Security • Checklists - Role Checklists Equipment Checklists • Emergency Resources - Contact List (agencies, responders) • Mutual Aid Agreements • Training Employees, Contractors, • Notification and Reporting - • Review and Debriefing 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

7. Mine Rescue Regulations mandate that underground mines must have sufficient personnel trained to respond to an emergency. The Mines & Aggregates Safety & Health Association (MASHA) – funded by the mines through Workplace Safety Insurance Board is responsible for the delivery. 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

8. Mine Rescue • MASHA provides: • Mine Rescue Training Officers to standardize training throughout the Province. • management response training. • Mine Rescue equipment to all mines (BG4) • Publishes training manuals 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

9. Mine Rescue Mine Management Identifies volunteers to be trained Ensure volunteers attend training (6 days / year) Provide training locations on site Ensures staff trained in management response Responsible for fire procedures, drills, refuge stations Training with AFFF underground LDI 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

10. Mine Rescue Inspectors Review fire procedures – warning systems, fuelling areas, garages Review UG fire drills & worker response times Review number of men trained & available Inspect refuge stations – air, water, integrity Inspect fire controls – doors, sprinkler systems, etc 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

11. Non-Fire Emergencies Underground Mines Mandated to train underground workers in extrication & rescue methods & provide the equipment Provide high-wall rescue training (not mandated) 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

12. Non-Fire Emergencies • Mining Plants • Provide for emergency training in plants – toxic gas releases • Warning systems (i.e. HCN • sensors) • Escape plan • Re-entry plan • (SCBAs, • control • process, etc) CVRD Inco smelter, stack with North Mine in foreground 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

13. First Aid • Underground Mines • Mandatory advanced first aid attendants on surface near the entrance of the mine. • Coverage while workers • underground • Mandatory first aid room • Evacuation plan if remote • – no nearby ambulance • or hospital Musselwhite Mine – First Aid Room 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

14. First Aid • Underground Mines • most first line supervisors • require to have an • equivalent to Standard St. • John Ambulance First Aid • & cardio-pulmonary • resuscitation (CPR). • the mines train many of • the workers in first aid & • CPR 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

15. Surface Mines, Plants & Diamond Drills Mandated by Workers Safety Insurance Board to have first aid trained workers. (Applies to all sectors) WSIB approves firms that provide First Aid Training 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

16. Evacuation Plan Surface Mines, Plants & Diamond Drills For remote areas: the Ministry uses the General Duty Clause to have their employers provide an extrication plan to get injured workers to medical attention 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

17. Evacuation Plan Need vehicle at work site equipped to extract injured worker (not a skidder or bulldozer), must be able to carry a stretcher in a reasonably safe manner 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

18. Evacuation Plan Need adequate means of communication (Sat/cell/radio phone) Need contact phone numbers of people available 24/7 to arrange rescue Heliport & Helicopter arrangements are not always possible due to darkness  and weather therefore the vehicle requirement still stands 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

19. Managing Accidents FROM AN INVESTIGATOR’S PERSPECTIVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO:Attend the site as soon as possible after being notified of an accident and establish your statutory authority.Determine the severity of injuries as a result of the accident. 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

20. Managing Accidents Do not interfere or direct rescue or recovery activity. Provide guidance only upon request.Do request that the accident scene be left undisturbed to the extend possible during rescue or recovery activity. Do “Freeze the Accident Scene” upon completion of rescue or recovery activity (ensure the accident scene is not disturbed). 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

21. Managing Accidents Establish that you are in charge of the investigation and you will be interviewing witnesses, obtaining records and other documentations, drawings, in addition to conducting a site visit to the accident scene. Recognize that rescue or recovery activity is very difficult and stressful on the participants 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

22. Managing Accidents Observe accident scene. Make detailed notes and measurements of what you observe. Take lots of photographs, ditigal pictures are not being challanged. Record photo locations in notes. Always remain objective and impartial. Do not offer opinions or conclusions. Take your time. 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

23. Managing Accidents Bring in experts – if necessary for items such as equipment failure (brakes, steering, valves, metal fatique, etc.) Experts may recommend that the equipment or a part of the equipment be sent to a specially laboratory for further testing. Sometimes the failure is obvious & has occurred in other mines. 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

24. Managing Accidents Conduct witness interviews in seclusion, preferably just you and a witness. Recognize witnesses may wish to have someone of their on choosing present when they make a statement (union representative). Transcribe exactly what the witness said – not what you think was said.Take detailed notes & include the date and time, as well as whom was present at all interviews 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

25. Managing Accidents Recognize your own limitations, and always ask for help from others in your organization.Never rush or be rushed inyourinvestigation of an accident. Never make assumptions, or jump to conclusions. Always base the findings of your investigation upon the evidence collected. 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

26. Managing Accidents Never try to make the evidence fit to a preconceived notion and always consider alternative plausible explanations.Determine “what happened” to cause the accident and, if possible, “How to minimize/prevent future incidents” 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

27. Managing Accidents Never try to make the evidence fit to a preconceived notion and always consider alternative plausible explanations.Determine “what happened” to cause the accident and, if possible, “How to minimize/prevent future incidents” 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

28. Managing Accidents • It is not enough that legislative and company standards are communicated, understood and followed. • For accidents to continue to decrease behavior must change. • To change behaviors the IRS has to work • In my opinion - The workplace parties • must be proactive on safety related issues in the workplace • should conduct joint accident investigations • Need to develop a system to identify and resolve near misses • Must keep up continual dialogue on the importance of a safe • and healthy workplace 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL

29. Questions ? Comments ? 2007 NAALC - Panel IV - MOL