Ontario mines will soon be facing a new regulatory environment. As of July 1st, 2016, Regulation 854 (Mines and Mining Plants) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act will contain new requirements that are aimed at improving workplace safety within Ontario mines. The amendments cover a wide variety of areas, including:
- Updated training requirements for surface diamond drill operator
- New rules for water management, such as mandatory water management programs for underground mines
- Strengthened requirements for emergency stopping and guarding devices
- New risk assessment procedures
- Mandatory traffic management programs
In addition to these amendments, Ministry of Labour health and safety inspectors will now have the ability to give “tickets” to employers that break the new rules.
Mines subject to the new regulations will have until January 1st, 2017 to comply with some of the larger changes.
Written with the assistance of Samuel Keen, summer student.
