O. Reg. 167/16: MINES AND MINING PLANTS, Filed June 6, 2016 under Occupational Health and Safety Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.1

ontario regulation 167/16

made under the

Occupational Health and Safety Act

Made: June 1, 2016
Filed: June 6, 2016
Published on e-Laws: June 6, 2016
Printed in The Ontario Gazette: June 25, 2016

Amending Reg. 854 of R.R.O. 1990

(MINES AND MINING PLANTS)

1. The English version of Regulation 854 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 is amended by striking out “non-combustible” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “noncombustible”.

2. The definition of “non-combustible” in section 1 of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

 “noncombustible” has the same meaning as in Ontario Regulation 332/12 (Building Code) made under the Building Code Act, 1992; (“incombustible”)

3. The Regulation is amended by adding the following sections:

5.1 (1) An employer shall conduct a risk assessment of the workplace for the purpose of identifying, assessing and managing hazards, and potential hazards, that may expose a worker to injury or illness.

(2) A risk assessment must take into consideration the nature of the workplace, the type of work, the conditions of work at that workplace and the conditions of work common at similar workplaces.

(3) The results of an assessment must be provided, in writing, to the joint health and safety committee or the health and safety representative, if any.

(4) If no joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative is required at the workplace, the results of an assessment must be communicated to workers at the workplace and provided, in writing, to any worker at the workplace who requests them.

(5) The requirement in subsection (1) to conduct a risk assessment is in addition to any specific assessments required by the Act or any Regulation made under it.

5.2 (1) An employer shall, in consultation with the joint health and safety committee or the health and safety representative, if any, develop and maintain measures to eliminate, where practicable, or to control, where the elimination is impracticable, the hazards, and potential hazards, identified in a risk assessment conducted under subsection 5.1 (1).

(2) The measures referred to in subsection (1) shall be put in writing and shall include each of the following, as applicable and reasonable in the circumstances:

1. Substitution or reduction of a material, thing or process.

2. Engineering controls.

3. Work practices.

4. Industrial hygiene practices.

5. Administrative controls.

6. Personal protective equipment.

(3) Personal protective equipment shall only be used as a measure if the measures referred to in paragraphs 1 to 5 of subsection (2) are not obtainable, are impracticable or do not eliminate or fully control hazards and potential hazards.

5.3 (1) The risk assessment required by section 5.1 must be reviewed as often as necessary and at least annually.

(2) When conducting the review, the employer shall ensure that,

(a) new hazards or new potential hazards are assessed;

(b) existing hazards or potential hazards that have changed are re-assessed; and

(c) the measures required by section 5.2 continue to effectively protect the health and safety of workers.

(3) Subsections 5.1 (3) and (4) and section 5.2 apply with necessary modifications in respect of any new hazards and potential hazards and any existing hazards or potential hazards that have changed.

4. Subsections 11.1 (1) to (3) of the Regulation are revoked and the following substituted:

11.1 (1) Employers engaged in underground diamond drilling operations shall establish and maintain the following components of the Underground Diamond Driller training program:

1. Common Core for Underground Diamond Driller – Helper Level (Program #P770150).

2. Common Core for Underground Diamond Driller – Runner Level (Program #P770150).

(2)  An employer shall train each worker who commences employment after March 31, 1996 in the modules of the program described in subsection (1) appropriate for that worker, and the training shall be completed before the worker has completed a total of 12 months of employment as a helper or runner in underground diamond drilling operations.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a worker with respect to a module if the worker successfully completed the module before being employed by the employer and gives the employer proof of successful completion.

5. The Regulation is amended by adding the following section:

11.1.1 (1) Employers engaged in surface diamond drilling operations shall establish and maintain the following components of the Surface Diamond Driller training program:

1. Common Core for Surface Diamond Driller – Part 1 (Basic Level) (Program #P770200).

2. Common Core for Surface Diamond Driller – Part 2 (Helper Level) (Program #P770200).

3. Common Core for Surface Diamond Driller – Part 3 (Runner Level) (Program #P770200).

4. Speciality Modules for Surface Diamond Driller (#P770200).

(2) An employer shall train each worker who performs work as a surface diamond driller in the modules of the program described in subsection (1) appropriate for that worker and shall ensure that the training is completed in accordance with the following requirements:

1. Part 1 (Basic Level) shall be completed before the worker begins performing work covered by the modules of that component of the program.

2. Part 2 (Helper Level) shall be completed within 12 months after the day the worker begins performing work covered by the modules of that component of the program.

3. Part 3 (Runner Level) shall be completed within 12 months after the day the worker begins performing work covered by the modules of that component of the program.

4. Each specialty module shall be completed within 12 months after the day the worker begins performing work covered by the applicable module.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a worker with respect to a module if the worker successfully completed the module before being employed by the employer and gives the employer proof of successful completion.

(4) A document issued by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities showing that a worker has successfully completed a module of the program referred to in subsection (1) is conclusive proof for the purposes of this section of the worker’s successful completion of the module.

6. Section 24 of the Regulation is revoked.

7. Subsection 71 (3) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “ISO 3449;1992 (E) “Earth-Moving Machinery — Falling-Object Protective Structures — Laboratory Tests and Performance Requirements”” and substituting “ISO 3449-05 (R2014) “Earth-Moving Machinery – Falling Object Protective Structures – Laboratory Tests and Performance Requirements””.

8. Section 72 of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

72. (1) In the event of an occurrence listed in subsection (2) at an underground mine, a record of that occurrence shall be kept in writing and shall provide the following:

1. The time, location and extent of the occurrence.

2. A description of any injuries caused to workers.

3. Any other relevant information, including the records of any monitoring instruments or devices before the occurrence.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the following are considered occurrences:

1. A rockburst.

2. An uncontrolled fall of ground.

3. A seismic event that is of a magnitude that is likely to cause significant rock mass damage or may compromise the effectiveness of the ground support system.

4. A seismic event that occurs in or near an active area of a mine that is of a magnitude that may cause ground instability.

9. Section 87 of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

87. (1) A workplace in an underground mine shall,

(a) be kept free from accumulations or flows of water which might endanger a worker in the area; and

(b) have a water removal and drainage system to remove excess or unwanted water from the mine to the surface through a pumping system or by other means.

(2) The water removal and drainage systems referred to in clause (1) (b) shall be maintained in good condition.

(3) A positive displacement water pump shall be equipped with a relief valve or system.

(4) Any drain hole in an underground mine shall be,

(a) clearly marked by signs that are visible, readable by workers and clearly distinguished from their surroundings; and

(b) identified on any drawings, plans and specifications relating to that area of the mine.

(5) An employer and supervisor shall take all reasonable precautions in the circumstances to do the following:

1. Prevent an accumulation or flow of water, either of which might endanger a worker.

2. Guard against an accumulation of water in a chute, raise or waste or ore pass where material in the chute, raise or waste or ore pass may block drainage.

3. Control an accumulation or flow of water in areas of a mine where an accumulation or flow of water is likely to be present.

(6) Where an accumulation of water is likely to be present, a borehole shall be drilled at least six metres ahead of the working face to protect against a sudden breakthrough of water.

(7) A drill or blast hole that is located in an area of the mine where an accumulation or flow of water is likely to be present shall be identified on any drawings, plans and specifications relating to that area of the mine.

(8) A drill or blast hole that could allow water to enter a chute, raise or waste or ore pass shall be filled or plugged to prevent water from entering the chute, raise or waste or ore pass.

(9) If, despite the requirements in subsections (1), (5), (6), and (8), an accumulation or flow of water that may endanger a worker occurs in an area of an underground mine,

(a) the employer shall ensure that the supervisor for that area is informed of the accumulation or flow of water;

(b) the employer shall ensure that all workers in that area are notified of the accumulation or flow of water;

(c) the employer shall ensure that the area is adequately barricaded to prevent access; and

(d) the employer and the supervisor shall not permit any worker to enter that area unless the purpose of the work directly relates to the management and removal of the water and all reasonable precautions in the circumstances have been taken for the protection of such workers.

87.1 (1) An owner of an underground mine shall, in consultation with the joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative, if any, develop and maintain a written water management program.

(2) The program shall include measures and procedures to,

(a) identify areas of the mine where water is likely to accumulate;

(b) control the volume of water that may enter the mine, either naturally or as a result of the mining process;

(c) prevent unwanted or uncontrolled flows of water in all areas of the mine;

(d) effectively and safely manage and remove water that poses a risk of injury to a worker; and

(e) maintain water removal and drainage systems and all of the components of such systems.

(3) A copy of the program shall be provided to the joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative, if any, and shall be kept readily available at the mine site.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), the program shall be reviewed at least annually.

(5) The program shall be reviewed as soon as possible following any significant alteration to the water removal or drainage system and if such a review is required, the next annual review required by subsection (4) shall be within one year of the date of the review under this subsection.

10. The Regulation is amended by adding the following section:

105.1 (1) An employer at a mine shall, in consultation with the joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative, if any, develop and maintain a written traffic management program.

(2) The program shall include measures and procedures to,

(a) prevent collisions, of motor vehicles, that may endanger the health and safety of workers by addressing hazards relating to reduced or impeded visibility of motor vehicle operators; and

(b) protect the health and safety of workers and pedestrians who may be endangered by the movement of a motor vehicle.

(3) A copy of the program shall be provided to the joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative, if any, and shall be kept readily available at the mine site.

(4) The program shall be reviewed at least annually.

11. Sections 167 and 188 of the Regulation are revoked.

12. (1) Subsections 196 (2), (3) and (3.1) of the Regulation are revoked and the following substituted:

(2) A conveyor shall have,

(a) a means to safely apply belt dressing while the conveyor is in motion; and

(b) if the conveyor is started automatically, by remote control or if a portion or portions of the conveyor are not visible from the operator’s position, a start-up warning device.

(3) Subsections (3.1) and (3.2) apply to the following pinch points on a conveyor:

1. The head, tail, drive, deflection and tension pulleys.

2. If the lift of the belt is restricted, the return rollers and the carry rollers.

(3.1) Subject to subsection (3.2), the pinch points referred to in subsection (3) shall be guarded by a guard that, unless it would render the pinch point inaccessible, extends at least 0.9 metres from the pinch point.

(3.2) If it is impracticable to comply with subsection (3.1),

(a) a fence shall be in place that prevents access to the pinch points;

(b) a barricade shall be in place that prevents access to the pinch points; or

(c) a gate equipped with an interlocking device, which has a manual reset switch, shall be in place that prevents access to the pinch points while the conveyor is operating.

(3.3) Subsections (3.1) and (3.2) do not apply if the position or construction of the conveyor provides equivalent protection that renders the pinch points inaccessible.

(2) Clause 196 (6) (b) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “special” at the beginning and substituting “effective”.

13. The Regulation is amended by adding the following section:

196.1 (1) Every conveyor shall have an emergency stopping system that operates a manual reset switch that stops the conveyor.

(2) If a conveyor is accessible to a worker, the emergency stopping system is required,

(a) at any pinch point on the conveyor that is not set out in subsection 196 (3) and the emergency stopping system must be within easy reach of a worker at each of those pinch points; and

(b) at any other locations along the conveyor in order to ensure that the system is always within easy reach of a worker.

(3) If a conveyor is inaccessible to a worker by any means listed in subsection (4), the emergency stopping system is required at a location or locations determined by the employer following consultation with the joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative, if any.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the following are considered means by which a conveyor is inaccessible:

1. A fence.

2. A barricade.

3. A gate equipped with an interlocking device, which has a manual reset switch that renders the conveyor inoperative when the gate is moved or opened.

4. The location of the conveyor renders it inaccessible.

5. Any combination of paragraphs 1 to 4.

14. The English version of subsection 248 (10) of the Regulation is amended by striking out “failure and accident” and substituting “failure or accident”.

15. Clause 281.1 (3) (a) of the Regulation is revoked and the following substituted:

(a) who is certified in Standard St. John Ambulance First Aid-Mine Rescue or who holds equivalent qualifications;

16. (1) The definition of “radon daughters” in the English version of section 287 of the Regulation is revoked.

(2) The English version of section 287 of the Regulation is amended by adding the following definition:

“radon progeny” means polonium-218 (RaA), lead-214 (RaB), bismuth-214 (RaC) and polonium-214 (RaC’); (“produits de filiation du radon”)

(3) The definitions of “WL” and “WLM” in the English version of section 287 of the Regulation are amended by striking out “radon daughters” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “radon progeny” .

17. The English version of sections 288 to 293 of the Regulation are amended by striking out “radon daughters” wherever it appears and substituting in each case “radon progeny” .

18. Subsections 289 (7) and (8) of the Regulation are revoked.

Commencement

19. (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Regulation comes into force on the later of July 1, 2016 and the day it is filed.

(2) Sections 3, 8, 9 and 10 come into force on the later of January 1, 2017 and the day this Regulation is filed.