More safety inspectors to monitor B. C. mines
Growth in industry prompts province to hire 10 more auditors to curb injuries on the job
The B. C. government plans to hire 10 new mine inspectors over a 12- month period — more than a 25- per- cent increase — to keep pace with increased mining activity and help ensure work- site safety.
Al Hoffman, the province’s chief inspector of mines, said in an interview from Victoria that four new inspectors have been hired within the past six months. The goal is to hire another six over the next six months consistent with increased mining activity, including new mines and expansion of existing mines.
“The challenge we have is that the mining industry is, in general, booming,” Hoffman said. “We’re competing with industry to get the same skill sets.”
If successful in filling the six latest postings, that would bring the total complement of B. C. mine inspectors to 46. Inspectors are involved in a range of duties, from permitting of mining exploration to conducting health and safety inspections of operating mines. Worksafebc reports that the provincewide injury accident rate was 2.27 per 100 workers in 2010, the last year for which such statistics are available.
The mining sector averages two injuries per 100, much better than the average of four in forestry and general construction, five in heavy construction, and eight in warehousing.
“We’re very proud of that record,” Hoffman said. “We like to think it’s a collaborative effort of the mining industry, workers, unions, and us. High injury rates and fatalities are morally unacceptable. There’s also a realization that safe mines are efficient mines.”
However, mining inspection reports that were obtained by The Vancouver Sun through freedom of information requests show that a broad range of safety- related issues still linger.
Records tell of an excavator crashing into an overhead power line, workers at risk from hydrogen sulphide gas, a truck with a faulty exhaust pipe posing a threat of explosion, and loaded haul trucks at risk of backing over embankments.
Richard Boyce, who is president of local 7619 of the United Steelworkers, which represents workers at Highland Valley near Logan Lake, said that the union has been a major player at the mine over the past four decades and that it takes time for new mines to develop a strong safety culture.
“We stick our nose into just about everything that goes on at the mine when it comes to health and safety,” Boyce said. “But at the same time the system has evolved. Management is very involved, as well, to ensure people go home safe.”
Mining had 234 disability claims in 2011, up from 189 in 2010 and 181 in 2009.
There have been six mining deaths in B. C. over the past three years, one related to a bulldozer backing over an embankment and the rest linked to past exposure to asbestos, dust or fumes.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines reports there are seven operating metal mines and 10 operating coal mines in B. C. — with another four mines in the construction phase — in addition to numerous sand and gravel and quarry operations. Mines typically receive multiple inspections on an annual basis in addition to periodic audits.