Toward a Safe Day, Everyday – AME BC Health and Safety Awards Breakfast

Bill Mercer, Vice-President Exploration for Avalon Rare Metals Ltd. and Chair of the PDAC Health & Safety Committee, introduced the report. Starting with the good news, of the 113 companies reporting 87% had no lost time incidents (LTI).  More companies are reporting their health and safety results each year, which is helping the whole industry to have a clearer understanding of our challenges.  On the down side the report clearly indicates that drill helpers and field helpers are the most at risk groups of workers in our industry with the most reported incidents and by far are the most vulnerable for LTIs.  Knowing where our risk lies though certainly provides us the information we need to help prevent further incidents in the future.

The Safe Day Everyday Gold Award for the highest number of hours worked without a lost workday incident was awarded to FNX Mining Company Inc. (now Quadra FNX Mining Limited).  The company attained 99,792 hours without a lost workday incident.  A number that should inspire envy throughout the industry.  FNX Mining Company Inc. was the inaugural recipient of the award in 2005.

The David Barr Award in recognition of Excellence in Leadership and Innovation in Mineral Exploration Health and Safety was awarded to Harvey Tremblay, president and founder of Hy-Tech  Drilling Ltd.  Over the years Harvey has worked closely with his clients to develop increasing levels of health and safety in drilling.  Though “some ideas were crazy and new at the time” the results speak for themselves and I would say pave the way for future “crazy and new” ideas as well.

I spoke with Bill Mercer after the breakfast to ask what it will take to increase the culture of health and safety in Canada.  Bill believes that the increasing need for a focus on corporate sustainability across the board will be a big driver for changes in our industry.  As companies begin reporting their results each year, including topics such as health and safety, the data can be used to make adjustments to move us all to have a “Safe Day Everyday”.