Abstract
A Vale case study - understanding the impacts of the physical nature of core logging work
Health and safety is the foremost consideration within the mining industry. According to the Canadian Mining Association: “protecting the health and safety of employees, contractors and communities is a fundamental component of the TSM (Towards Sustainable Mining) initiative and deeply engrained in the Canadian mining industry’s culture.” It’s imperative for all of us who wish to improve our industry to examine areas of operations and find the ways to make our industry safer.
With that premise in mind, Vale Canada Ltd sought to assess and understand the health & safety context for the “all mines” core logging operations at the Stobie facility in Sudbury, Ontario. A full assessment was performed including a survey of all geologists, engineers, technicians and management in relation to core logging activities in an effort to understand the hazards within the core logging workflow with an objective to remove or, at a minimum, reduce health & safety risks. Of particular focus, this case study includes observations and assessments into the causes and concerns around repetitive strain injuries which are often neglected in Health & Safety considerations.
This presentation will provide some key results from the Vale assessment, sharing best practices and lessons learned as well as an opportunity for open discussion around core logging health & safety in an active mining operation.