Workers Health & Safety Centre

Ontario mining carcinogens highlighted in upcoming conference

Hard hats with head lamps
Occupational disease is the leading cause of work-related death in Ontario. Miners in this province are not exempt from this harsh reality.
 
According to Ontario’s Ministry of Labour (MOL), 184 workers died between 2005 and 2014 as a result of occupational diseases caused by their exposures in the mining sector years, even decades earlier. Many resulted from exposure to carcinogens that caused lung cancer. These deaths though represent just the tip of the iceberg, as MOL statistics are drawn from those claims accepted by Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Much research has documented how work-related cancer and other occupational diseases are significantly underreported, while many claims are denied or abandoned.
 
Miners today continue to be exposed to deadly carcinogens, including diesel engine exhaust (DEE), crystalline silica, nickel and nickel compounds and radon. This despite many available innovations that can control and in some cases even eliminate exposures.
 
With these challenges in mind, an upcoming conference hosted by the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC), the Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO) and Laurentian University will discuss among other things recent related research and potential interventions. 
What: Lung Cancer and Prevention in Mining Conference
Where: Sudbury, Ontario
When: Monday, July 10 and Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Details: Registration and Agenda
 
To learn more about carcinogens in the mining sector download a fact sheet from CAREX Canada.
 
For our part the Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) offers a range of training programs and resource materials related to occupational carcinogens in the mining sector and their control/elimination, including Ontario regulations or best practices in other jurisdictions.
 
To learn more from WHSC. (Download and share.)
WHSC Silica fact sheet
WHSC Diesel Exhaust fact sheet
Globally-harmonized WHMIS training
Free Training Compliance Audit for Ontario Mines
 
McIntyre powder project seeks justice for exposed miners
Cancer burden for workers exposed to diesel exhaust steep
Risk assessments among most recent changes to Ontario Mining Regulations
Ontario government proposes changes to laws regulating hazardous exposures (not to DEE or silica)
 
Want additional information about how the WHSC can help your workplace with the extensive training obligations mandated by health and safety law?
Call:   1-888-869-7950
Visit:   www.whsc.on.ca
Email: contactus@whsc.on.ca