The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (EMPR) completed a review of the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia (the Code). As a result of the review, new provisions came into force in February 2017.
One of the new provisions added to the Code was the reintroduction of a Supervisor’s Certification for any supervisor on a mine site to ensure a common understanding of the Code, to encourage worker safety and to ensure supervisors on a mine site are aware of their responsibilities under the Code. This requirement comes into force on June 1, 2018.
The provision requires that anyone supervising six or fewer people on a mine site or in other areas of a mine, such as a mill, tailings storage facility, lab or maintenance area or shop, complete their Supervisor’s Certification. It applies to all mine sites in the province including major mines, exploration sites, sand and gravel, and placer operations and quarries.
In order to facilitate a large volume of registrants (estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,500 for the initial year of registration), ensure easy access and provide a tracking option for compliance, an online delivery option for certification was identified as the preferred delivery method. This would enable mine supervisors to complete the program online from anywhere and work at their own pace.
The Supervisor’s Certification is a comprehensive and custom program designed specifically for on-site supervisors in any sector of B.C.’s mining industry. It also eliminates the need for in-house examinations, increases consistency of information delivery, and ensures real-time tracking of completed certifications for compliance purposes.
EMPR is working with Open School from the Ministry of Education to develop and deliver the program. Open School assists with instructional design, educational resource development and online course offerings specifically for government-led educational programs. Open School has a track record of creating educational and training solutions for organizations such as school districts, ministries and Crown corporations.
Stakeholders from each of the mining sectors, including labour, have been included in the development of the program.
The cost is expected to be $100 and participants will receive their certificate immediately upon successful completion of the program. Funds recovered from the certification program will support subscription costs for use of the online software and further development and updating of the certification programs.
EMPR is currently developing the certification program and is expecting to launch it sometime in early April 2018 to give participants time to obtain certification before the June 1, 2018, deadline.
Copies of the Code may be obtained from your mines inspector or the AME office, or online at issue http://bit.ly/2rapcdX. An online Code app is also available at https://www.crownpub.bc.ca/Product/Details/7610004116_S.