Overview

From July 15, 2022 to September 30, 2022, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) conducted a health and safety initiative which focused on storage, use and handling of explosives in surface and underground mines.

The initiative began by focusing on education, outreach and awareness, in partnership with Workplace Safety North (WSN), to provide training and education to employers. The goal was to help workplace parties comply with the requirements for the safe storage, use and handling of explosives in surface and underground mines under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Regulation 854: Mines and Mining Plants prior to focused inspections.

To support and enforce compliance with the OHSA and its regulations, between August 1, 2022 and September 30, 2022, MLITSD inspectors carried out focused inspection initiatives in the workplace.

MLITSD inspectors:

  • conducted 10 field visits with one support role activity (an activity in which another inspector or a professional services staff such as a hygienist, ergonomist or engineer accompanies an inspector on a field visit to provide professional support and expertise)
  • visited 9 workplaces
  • issued 89 orders and requirements, including 17 stop work orders

Background

Explosives are used extensively in Ontario mines and can pose a hazard if not stored, secured, and used in a proper manner. Recent incidents have shown that worker safety can be compromised when measures for the control, security and storage of explosives have not been established. Properly stored blasting explosives, detonating cord and initiation systems will ensure the safety and security of workers as well as the surrounding property.

Full report

Workplace inspection initiatives

Inspection initiatives are part of the MLITSD compliance strategy.

Although individual workplaces are not notified in advance, MLITSD will inform sector stakeholders of the upcoming initiative.

The results of the initiative are typically posted online within 90 days.

Inspectors’ findings regarding compliance may impact the number and level of future inspections of individual workplaces.

Focus of the initiative

Inspectors checked that workplaces had:

  • complied with requirements related to magazines located on surface and underground
  • completed weekly magazine inspections including completed log books
  • proper housekeeping, cleanliness and disposal of packaging and wrappings in magazines
  • procedures for inspection and cleaning of equipment used with explosives prior to servicing or repairs
  • procedures for explosive storage areas that are not magazines
  • procedures for safe handling of explosive products
  • trained workers assigned to transport and handle explosives in explosives handling procedures
  • properly maintained equipment used to transport explosives and equipped them with required warning devices
  • ensured that procedures and precautions are effectively communicated and enforced when transporting explosives

Inspectors checked that employers:

  • are submitting to the inspector of the mine the required “Notice of Use or Storage” of explosives annually or prior to first use as appropriate
  • have been and will continue to report to the MLITSD any occurrence of defective explosive products as required
  • have been and will continue to report to the MLITSD any occurrence of careless placing or handling of explosives and detonators as required

Inspectors took appropriate action if contraventions were found under the OHSA or its regulations. This included:

  • writing orders to workplace parties to ensure compliance with legal requirements
  • issuing stop work orders requiring employers to comply before work could continue

Inspection activity summary

Visits to workplaces

  • 10 field visits with 1 support role activity
  • 9 workplaces visited
  • 89 orders and requirements issued
    • 89 orders issued for contraventions under the OHSA and its regulations, including 17 stop work orders
    • 6 requirements issued to provide an inspector with workplace information
  • an average of 9.9 orders and requirements issued per workplace visited
  • an average of 8.6 orders and requirements issued per visit

Most frequently issued orders

The most frequently issued OHSA:

  • ensure that the equipment, materials and protective devices provided by the employer are maintained in good condition [s. 25(1)(b)] — 5 orders or 11.63% of the total orders and requirements issued during the initiative
  • take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker [s. 25(2)(h)] — 1 order or 2.33% of the total orders and requirements issued during the initiative
  • provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker [s. 25(2)(a)] — 9 orders or 29.93% of the total orders and requirements issued during the initiative
  • stop work order: [s. 57(6)(a)] — 17 orders or 39.53% of the total orders and requirements issued during the initiative

A total of 45 orders were issued under the Mines and Mining Plants Regulation Regulation (Reg. 854). Orders were issued under the following sections (among others):

  • 128(1) Every magazine and every storage container shall be kept clean, dry and free from grit at all times — 7 orders or 15.56% of total orders and requirements
  • 128(3) When explosive is issued or removed from a magazine, the explosive longest in the magazine, if not defective, shall be used first — 3 orders or 6.67% of total orders and requirements
  • 128(6) — Detonators and capped fuse shall be stored in a separate, suitable, closed storage container located at least eight metres from any other explosive — 4 orders or 8.89% of total orders and requirements

Observations

The results of this initiative indicate that workplace parties need to improve compliance with respect to storage, use and handling of explosives in surface and underground mines.

  • Improper storage, use and handling of explosives continues to be a very high hazard that can result in serious outcomes.
  • Workers continue to be exposed to the potential hazards of the mishandling and misuse of explosives in Ontario mines. Heightened awareness of any hazard can bring change. All workplace parties must continue to be diligent and not allow complacency to creep into their daily routines.
  • The risk of improper storage, use and handling of explosives can be prevented by raising awareness and taking proper precautions.

Conclusion and next steps

Ministry inspectors will continue to pay attention to the safe handling of explosives.

The results of the initiative confirm our need to continue to focus on inspections for the safety of explosives at Ontario mines.

A key to workplace health and safety in Ontario is the Internal Responsibility System (IRS). Workplace parties are encouraged to work together to identify and control all hazards.

Help for employers

Please contact our health and safety partners for more information.