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I'm Patrick Vaillancourt, Occupational Health and Safety Inspector with the Ministry of Labour...
...Mining Division, in Timmins, northern Ontario.
We are at Xstrata Copper at the Kidd Creek Mine in Timmins, Ontario.
We're here today for an inspection of the underground.
Specifically, we're going to be looking at mobile equipment.
Security Guard (off-camera): "How are you?" Inspector: "I'm good thank you. Ministry of Labour...
...I'm here for a site inspection. I'd like to see the Mucking Superintendent, please...
...and the Worker Rep."
When I arrive at the mine, I ask for management representation as well as somebody from the...
...Joint Health and Safety Committee.
When we're ready to go underground, we dress in mining gear...
...get the proper safety equipment, and proceed to tag in.
Inspector: "Okay, we'll see how many we have."
The tag board is used, primarily, to identify which workers are underground...
...and where they can be located in the event of an emergency.
Once we tag in, we get to a cage or a form of transportation to get underground...
...and we proceed with the visit.
When I encounter workers underground, I ensure that they are trained to the Ontario Common Core...
...and to the equipment that they are operating.
Workers are required to wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the task at hand.
Hard hats, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, coveralls with reflective striping and gloves.
When I encounter equipment underground, I ensure that the equipment has been pre-checked...
...prior to use and that the equipment has also been maintained to the Ontario standards.
Inspector: "I'm a mining inspector. I'm here to do an inspection of mobile equipment."
Inspector: "Have you done your pre-start yet?" Miner: "I am just about to."
Inspector: "Perfect. Do you mind if we tag along and watch you do what you're doing...
...and you can explain to me what you're looking for?" Miner (off-camera): "Sure."
Today we'll be looking at an LHD, or load haul dump, which is commonly-known as a "scoop tram."
When we're doing our pre-start, we're ensuring that the equipment we're using is functional, as required...
...including the brakes, the lights, the steering, the alarms and horns...
...that the tires are in good order and ready to use.
Miner: "I'm looking at my drive line, to make sure the bolts are all nice and tight."
Miner: "Okay, so now I'm looking at my hansel system..." Inspector: "Okay."
Miner: "We look for any type of dents, any type of wear."
We're making sure that the fire extinguishers are inspected and ready to be used in case of an emergency.
We ensure the equipment has wheel chocks for parking and make sure that the operator is trained...
...to use the equipment he is on.
Miner: "Now I'm going to check my motor mounts." Inspector: "Okay."
Miner: "My motor mounts look fine."
Pre-start is prior to operating the machine and they also do post-start once he's started the machine...
...and it is operational.
Miner: "I'm going to check my oil." Inspector: "Okay."
Should an operator find a piece of equipment to be faulty, he is to tag it down...
...and call a mechanic to have it repaired.
Machines are not to be used in a defective state.
[engine starts, horn sounds]
During my inspection, I ensure that all diesel equipment meets required legislation and inspections...
...are done on a routine basis.
The operators must know how much air is available to use and how much air their equipment uses.
Employers must provide records of diesel-emission testing as well as maintenance records.
When I'm doing an inspection, I ensure that ventilation is up to standards.
I ensure that there are no rips in the vent tubing...
...the fans are on where they're supposed to be on...
...and the appropriate amount of air is supplied for the equipment being used on the levels.
I request training transcripts...
Inspector: "I'd like to get a copy of his training records, just to review them."
Inspector: "...and we're just going to review the emissions-testing and the latest maintenance..."
...done to the unit."
...as well as maintenance documents of all the vehicles we encounter.
Mining is not a hazardous job. It is a job with hazards.
And, with proper procedures, these hazards can be eliminated.