Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas

Nothing more to say.  js

Monday, December 22, 2008

Pictures


More pictures


Pictures

Surface Mine Rescue Course
Donning SCBA 

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Just left Agnico-Eagle Meadowbank

Spent the past 5 days prepping and deliverying a Basic Surface Mine Rescue course onsite. I believe the training went well, a keen bunch. Looking forward to getting home, it has been a long month.
Mining never ceases to amaze me, so many different folks, from so many area's and they all work together.
Christmas is almost upon us, try to ensure that you do not allow the 'stresses' of this season to effect your ability to pay attention while in traffic, looking at the weather channel and it seems that most of Canada is under storm warning.
Be prepared for break down, have some blankets, a tarp, a few candles and some waterproof matches. Make sure someone knows where you are going, a cell phone is handy.
Will post some pictures when I get a stronger internet signal.
Take it easy, Merry Christmas to you all. js

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A busy month to date...

















Been in a couple of locations in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut conducting some Advance First Medical Responder training, followed by Post Fall Arrest (Basic High Angle Rope Work) and assisting on an Ice Rescue course.

Some of these pics are of the students. Not too many pictures taken, busy.

Still to conduct a Basic Surface Mine Rescue course here then home for Christmas Lord willing.

Always is a pleasure to work with folks who are dedicated to improving and building on their skill set. Lord willing more pictures to follow in a couple of days. js

Saturday, December 13, 2008

A Safe Attitude

When I am walking around a site, there are many indications that make it clear to me whether the management and workforce are diligent towards following safe work procedures. Some of them in themselves, may seem trivial, but combined they can give a clear picture of what is actually going on, what the actual attitude towards following procedures is.

Workers without appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (safety glasses & hardhats) in area's where the policies state or the worksite environment requires same, smoking in area's where the company or the worker could receive a fine while supervisory personnel are in eyesight range, Safety personnel who state that they are not getting support. These are just some, easily seen and commented upon.

This stems from the top, no one likes to look into the mirror and say "I'm the man" but in this case and similar ones; "if the shoe fits, then you wear it".

Senior management sets the tone for the job attitude towards safe work procedures on a worksite. It is far too easy to make the statement that those rules are not as important or that they are safe where it counts.

If you allow your workers to disregard rules in one area, then all areas will become negotiable, this is deadly.

Procedures and safe work rules must be doable and not unrealistic, then they must be enforced. If they cannot be enforced due to complexity or unsuitability, then they must be reviewed rewritten if required, removed if un-needed and if after this process, if the hazard still exists then re-instated (and enforced).

Christmas is getting close, the time of year when many of us (for not only personal reasons, but because of the TV commercials and shows, the music in shopping and public area's) may not be fully concentrating on our work.

Supervisors, you must be on the ball, managers, you must not let them down, train them and back them up!

I may get a chance to post again prior to the Christmas week, but if not, Best Wishes during the holiday season to you all. God Bless. js


Monday, December 8, 2008

Mine safety & post fall arrest

Been visiting a northern mine for the past week, conducting some mine rescue/first aid type training. Been a good visit. Off to another property for a few days to conduct some post fall arrest type training.
With the pressures that are placed on the lower body when a person falls, there is absolutely no excuse to not have some method to allow a worker to raise himself off of the straps. Have some pictures that are not appropriate for my forum but I cannot imagine the pain the worker was in.
If you are doing rescue work this can be easily remedied by a webbing strap to a lower leg.
I will be posting some pictures on this when I get home. js