A series of events led to the incident. Impala Canada Ltd. had discovered deterioration in an ore pass, a vertical underground opening used to transport ore within the mine. The company hired SCR Mines Technology to repair the ore passageway. SCR’s rehabilitation process included scaling the walls, installing ground supports, and shotcreting the ore pass walls in six-foot vertical sections.
The tragedy occurred during repair work when an unusual amount of shotcrete bounced off the walls and water pooled on the mud. On the day of the accident, SCR initiated a dirt removal operation in which an SCR worker entered the loading platform to remove locks and remove additional dirt. Unfortunately, the flow of mud could not be controlled through the guillotine gate, so the shotcrete-saturated mud flooded the protective barriers, fatally injuring the worker.
It was also discovered that the Lac Des Iles Mine had an underground water management plan in place, but did not include procedures to protect against the addition and accumulation of water in veins during repair operations.
Both companies failed to carry out a risk assessment that took into account the location and placement of personnel during sludge extraction activities that could pose a risk to workers. This error is violated Section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive risk assessments in potentially hazardous environments. The fines imposed highlight the legal consequences that companies can face if they neglect safety protocols and put their employees at risk.
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