News Release: Ontario mining health and safety conference April 14 to 16

Workplace Safety North hosts 300 participants in Sudbury

(April 13, 2015) NORTH BAY, ON – From April 14 to 16 in Sudbury, Workplace Safety North (WSN) will host more than 300 attendees at the annual provincial Mining Health and Safety Conference. The event brings together Ontario’s mining industry, giving organizations the opportunity to share knowledge about safety programs and innovations dealing with hazards specific to mining.

“We’re in our eighteenth year and continue to focus on the occupational health and safety approach known as the ‘Internal Responsibility System,’” says Candys Ballanger-Michaud, CEO. “The focus of conference will be the final recommendations from the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review on improving health and safety in the underground mining sector.

“Mining is a vital and technically demanding industry,” notes Ballanger-Michaud. “We have mining health and safety consultants as well as mine rescue officers providing miners across Ontario with training on topics like core health and safety principles as well as industry-specific issues. WSN mining specialists provide training with regard to mine ventilation, ground control, electrical-mechanical safety, rescue and recovery operations, priority hazards, plus we help companies assess health and safety risks and meet legislative requirements.”

In addition to workshops and a trade show, the sold-out conference features guest speakers Dr. Linda Duxbury and Kevin Burns, along with sessions on training, WSIB claims, heat stress, occupational lung disease, emergency preparedness, working at heights, and more.
“Dr. Linda Duxbury is a noted pioneer in the field of organizational health,” says conference organizer Megan Waqué, Stakeholder Communications Specialist at Workplace Safety North. “She gave a highly successful talk on ‘Generational Differences in the Workplace’ at the 2013 conference, and she’s well known for her engaging communication style. This year, she’ll be talking about managing a changing workforce.

“Kevin Burns, is an eight-time author on human motivation and performance, and has been working with safety managers, front-line supervisors and staff in safety for seventeen years,” says Waqué.

Technical sessions will cover the specific mining hazards of diesel particulate matter, occupational lung disease, an arc flash-personal protective equipment contamination study, as well as a new approach to monthly safety meetings. More than 20 exhibitors, including 3M Canada, Draeger Safety Canada, and Electrical Safety Authority, will participate in the event tradeshow.

On the final day, the Workplace Excellence Awards recognize Ontario mining companies that have excelled at health and safety; and the Ontario Mine Contractors Safety Association presents the Safety Innovation Awards for the most innovative tools and techniques to improve mine safety. The conference closes with a health and safety message from training and development expert, Jim Clemmer: ‘Courageous Leadership for Health and Safety.’

For more information on the mining conference, including a complete list of speakers, exhibitors, and workshops, please visit: http://www.workplacesafetynorth.ca/subsite/mining-health-and-safety-conference.

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About WSN: Workplace Safety North believes illnesses and injuries can and must be prevented. An independent, not-for-profit organization, WSN is a leading provider of health and safety consulting and training services to Ontario mining and mine rescue, and forestry, paper, printing, and converting sectors. As one of the four designated health and safety associations in Ontario, businesses call upon WSN for expert advice and information, classroom and online training programs, on-site consultations, health and safety audits, industrial hygiene testing, ergonomic assessments, and specific problem-solving. For more information, please visit workplacesafetynorth.ca.

Workplace Safety North
Every worker, home safe and healthy.

For more information, please contact:

Meg Parker
Writer-Editor
Workplace Safety North
megparker@workplacesafetynorth.ca

April 14 to 16 during conference only: Mobile 705-494-0135
Telephone 705-474-7233 extension 228
Toll-free in Ontario 1-888-730-7821