Workplace Safety North (WSN) has announced the lineup of speakers for the 27th annual Mining Health and Safety Conference, set to take place from April 30 to May 1 at Science North in Sudbury, Ontario.
The conference, themed “The Foundation of Mining Safety,” focuses on the essentials of health and safety, while emphasizing the importance of legal requirements, risk management, and workplace culture, ensuring safe and healthy work environments.
"The Mining Health and Safety Conference serves as a vital platform for industry professionals to connect, exchange insights, and reinforce the core principles of mining safety,” WSN CEO, Mike Parent said in a news release. “By prioritizing compliance, risk management, and a culture of safety, we are strengthening Ontario’s mining sector, ensuring it is recognized globally as the safest in the world."
More than 250 delegates are expected to convene for this industry event, which serves as a platform for learning, knowledge sharing, and networking among industry professionals. A wide array of speakers will cover topics ranging from high-risk hazard management, improving physical and psychological health and safety in the workplace, industry case studies, research and innovation, and emergency response.
The conference begins on April 30, with a welcome and State of the Industry from WSN’s Parent, and Cementation’s Vice President of Health, Safety and Environment, Steve Wrixon.
Following the welcome, keynote speaker Derek Daly will share his experience surviving the hardest crash impact a driver has ever lived through and how his near-death experience has led to an unprecedented safety initiative in racing that continues today.
A three-part mining mock trial will be held throughout the day on April 30. The mock trial is being led by the Toronto office of Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark, Global HR Lawyers, and will include Senior Partner, Jeremy Warning, and Partner, John Illingworth.
Over two days, delegates will also be able to visit more than 30 vendors at the Information Exchange Trade Show located at Science North’s CTV Atrium, Sun Walk, and SN Lobby.
"We look forward to reconnecting with old colleagues and forging new relationships, exchanging best practices, and collaborating on solutions to tackle the sector’s most pressing safety challenges,” Parent said.
On May 1, technical sessions on the latest health and safety research and innovations are being held in Science North’s Vale Cavern. Covering numerous topics, delegates will learn about the new Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) silica standard, safety culture, leadership, psychological health and safety, advancements in collision avoidance technologies for underground mining safety, occupational hand-transmitted vibration exposure, fatigue risk management, and emergency response to battery fires.
Sam Barbuto, A WSN Health and Safety Specialist, will host an awards presentation recognizing achievements in mining health and safety.
More information is here.