Abstract
When the Covid-19 pandemic became a brutal reality in North America, in March 2020, the mining industry had to adapt to a new reality within a few days. Quickly, the K+S Windsor Salt mines were deemed essential service, and numerous changes had to be decided on and executed in the hurry in order to allow the safe continuity of underground operations at our three Canadian facilities, in Quebec, Nova Scotia and Ontario. Focused on providing a safe working environment, we had to adapt most processes to new social distancing constraints and hygiene protocols. Workflow process had to be modified, like encouraging employees to use safe means of transport to get to the sites, screening each of them at their arrival, controlling the flow throughout change room, adjusting schedules to allow for efficient access to the mine in cages the capacity of which had to be lowered by 75% on average, modifying travelling in the mine, sanitizing equipment and rooms. This unprecedented crisis has impacted employees’ routine not only at work, but also in their personal life, and it required to redefine expectations as an employer, and to support people in new ways. While we were able to go through the first wave without a single confirmed case at all three mines, we never stopped improving the processes and enforcing the new rules. We could not ease up all these efforts without risking losing the benefits of these good practices. Over time, absenteeism and inefficiencies have reduced but, at time when uncertainty prevails, we have to remain ready to adapt further. The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted all employees and the organization, but it also demonstrated, one more time, that nothing is impossible for teams working together when facing new challenges.