Advancing safety in mining is a key motivator for introducing and implementing innovative technologies into operations. By enabling predictive maintenance, hazard detections, simulations, autonomous operations, and more, the risk to workers is decreased, promoting a safer workplace. The pandemic has exponentially increased the need for technology in order to keep workers safe. This involves wearables, contact tracing, as well as increased automation to allow for physical distancing.
At this virtual event, in partnership with CIM and its Surface Mining Society, the industry will collaborate on innovative uses and applications for technology to increase and advance safety measures.
To get involved, click “register”.
February 17 | 11am-1:30pm (EST)| 5pm-7:30pm (CET)| 12am-2:30am (AWST)+1|
Presentations
Fatigue Monitoring and the Driver Safety System
Sherill Stevens, Business Team Leader, Trucks and Productivity at Mildred Lake Mine, Syncrude
The presentation will be about our journey with Fatigue Monitoring and the Driver safety system. I will discuss why and when we chose to implement what we did and how the system works. Our Change Management Strategy was key in its success as was out partnership with Caterpillar and their Subject Matter Experts and I will expand on it. There were challenges with our Heavy Equipment Operators related concern over privacy and I will elaborate on what we as an organization have done to not just address it but protect it. I will share some of the trends that we have seen during the three phased approach. It will finish with commentary on what we have seen since going live and on the positive trends we have seen, not just in fatigue but with our operators since going live and what our next steps are.
About Sherill:
I have been a Designated Accountant CPA/CGA since 2006. I started my career at Syncrude in 2008 and have held many positions in my time here. The first role was as a Business Analyst for a part of our Extraction department (Hydrotransport). A year later I was moved to the Turnaround organization in Upgrading. During my 3 years in Turnaround, I held several roles including Business Analyst, Cost Specialist and Turnaround Controls Leader. From there, I took over the Business Analyst team lead position where I was responsible for all the Business Analysts for Business and Corporate Services, Maintenance, Technical and Upgrading as well as the Benchmarking for the company. Just shortly after the Wildfire of 2016, I made my last move. This was to Operations as a Truck and Productivity Leader in Mining, where I am still. My primary focus has been to learn the business from the Heavy Equipment Operator point of view and then find ways to make it safer and more productive for them.
ICMM and mining’s journey to zero fatalities
Mark Holmes, Manager, Health and Safety, ICMM
The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) is an international organisation that brings together 27 mining and metals companies and over 35 national, regional and commodity associations. Our company members are committed to pursuing continual improvements in health and safety with the goal of achieving zero fatalities. To support this goal, ICMM provides a platform for its members to work collaboratively through three pillars of action:
1. Inspiring and enabling leadership – through open and safe discourse of the H&S issues faced by mining and communicating this thought leadership back to the industry, such as the recent ICMM publication ‘Preventing Fatalities: 8 lessons learned’1 and making available member company safety benchmarking data2.
2. Innovation for the future – where ICMM convenes specific collective action, for example the Innovation for Cleaner, Safer Vehicles (ICSV) initiative which aims to address vehicle safety by bringing together ICMM members and 18 of the world’s leading mining original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to accelerate the development of a new generation of mining vehicles.
3. Strengthening operational practices – through the development and publication of industry guidance on a range of topics, such as critical control management3.
The use of technology is weaved throughout the work we do. It should not be treated as a ‘silver bullet’ solution – but it is certainly an important part of a broader holistic approach to H&S where the role of leadership, other broader cultural considerations, and operational integrity are also crucial.
About Mark:
Mark joined the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) in February 2009. His focus is on ICMM’s health and safety work which is aimed at facilitating substantive improvements in the performance of ICMM member companies and associations, as well as across the broader mining and metals industry. Mark manages a range of projects involving cross-member learning on health and safety, risk and critical control management, occupational health & hygiene and benchmarking performance. He also manages the vehicle interaction work of the Innovation for Cleaner, Safer Vehicles initiative which aims to make collision avoidance technology available to mining companies by 2025. Mark holds a BSc in Environmental Earth Science and an MSc in Environmental Monitoring and Analysis from Aberystwyth University.
Real World Experience with Collision Awareness Systems
Dave Fisk, Sales Director, Wabtec Digital Mine
About Dave: Dave is Sales Director for Wabtec Digital Mine and has focused his career on helping to introduce positive change to mining companies by leveraging technology for the past 14 years.
Prior to Wabtec Dave served in senior management roles globally managing cross-functional technology initiatives with 3D-P, Honeywell, and MRO Software. He has broad experience with wireless mine communications, edge computing, asset management and reliability and general IOT applications.
Dave holds an Honour B.Sc. and hopes to someday finish his MBA.
Safety Share: Innovating Sustainability with Risk Management
Gordon Winkel, Director, Chair David and Joan Lynch School of Engineering Safety and Risk Management, University of Alberta
About Gordon:
Retired as a Vice President from Syncrude Canada Ltd., Gord Winkel joined the University of Alberta in 2010 and has supported the establishment of the David and Joan Lynch School of Engineering Safety and Risk Management. His work to improve safety and technology in the Mining industry led to 3 Distinguished Lecturer Awards from the Canadian Institute of Mining in 2002, 2008 and 2013. Gord received the CIM Mining Safety Leadership Medal in 2019. Gord chairs the J.T. Ryan Safety Committee for the Canadian Institute of Mining(CIM). He is a member of the newly established CIM Safety Society and adjudicates the Hatch-CIM Mining and Minerals Project Development Safety Award. He is also an Executive Advisor on the Alberta Mining Safety Association Board. Gord is a member on safety boards and committees across many industries, and works to provide support in risk management and organization effectiveness across North America.
