I am currently up north at a minesite, I have spent the past week assisting in sorting out an ERT establishment and tomorrow start to conduct a Basic Mine Rescue course to add to their teams numbers.
As safety managers, we need to be aware that though we may have general knowledge in many areas of industry we are not experts, we can be lied to, mislead (intentionally or unintentionally) or even misunderstand what we have been told.
It is incumbent on us to try to get the facts. If we have workers who are no longer working to their potential, are displaying questionable attitude traits over a period of time, it is not good enough to say "oh well, his heart is not in it anymore". There may be deeper meanings. In these tough economic times many workers will not tell the boss bad news.
Without the truth as a basis, what you plan is based on sand, and a house built on sand will collapse.
It is our job to get the facts. Play safe out their guys. js
I know that many of you are working today... Christmas day. How quick that we forget that many jobs still need to be covered off during the holidays. I am especially aware of this due to traveling north to isolated sites.
Christmas is a time of year where our expectations may cause us to become distraught as life rarely lives up to our dreams.
If you need to work today, please take care pay close attention to what you are doing... and get home to spend time with your loved ones.
This is in front of the Municipal Airport in Val D'Or PQ. I have not been in this area of Quebec since I was a young man, just flying through to Nunavut.
I am demonstrating a 'low anchor high repel no wall. One of the course members was acting as repelmaster (Gerry O).
Letting my hand creep a little forward...
Here's one of the fellows, I demonstrated how to get out of a flip-over (common on a low anchor if you are not sitting and rotating to start your descent). More pictures to follow. js
Completed the second Basic (Surface) Mine Rescue course here at Meadowbank. The trainee's were very enthusiastic and it was a pleasure to teach. Heading out of here Wednesday, pictures to follow on arrival home. Play safe. js
Very busy days, conducting second basic course here. Also carried out some more advance sessions for members who are already on the team, focused on Post Fall Arrest type incidents.
The MSA Suretyman is a neat piece of kit and it is simple to adapt it into more complex situations.
Internet here is not very advantageous to upload photo's, so they will need to wait. Play safe today (if you are working). js
Just checking in, just finished a course here in Nunavut (photo's to follow). Going to be conducting a second one here in a couple of days.
A picture is worth a thousand words, make sure that the picture can be seen clearly and is relevant to what you are describing.
I enjoy working with mine rescue men (and women). js
I have been assisting on an instructor’s course (designed to assist knowledgeable folks in getting in front of a class and passing on their experience and an approved subject matter). A question that has come up (several times), is why on these types of course's, the Instructor Trainers not 'teach' the actual material to demonstrate to the student instructors the standard.
When I was in the military this was a common way of developing instructors. In the basic class we followed 'EDI' i.e.: 'explanation' ‘demonstration' followed by 'imitation'. The instructor breaks things down into manageable parts; explains it, demonstrates it and has the student imitate the skill. The main instructor (depending on the type of course) 'taught' every subject, and then the student instructors did the same. Yes I know; time is of an essence and this may not always be possible in the work world, but the principal can and should be followed for maximum results. People learn best by watching successful people.
Instructing is a skill (yes I know it is also partly an art) it can be taught. Many instructor's are out there making rookie mistakes that they don't recognize... and no one has taken the time (nor in some cases are they {the instructor} willing to listen) to point out their errors and shortfalls (in presentation and instructing ability not subject knowledge).
Every good instructor must allow feedback that is trouble free to the student (i.e.: is not going to cause the student grief if the instructor doesn't like what he hears). Every instructor must review the results of training and decide if the shortfalls are because of his or her shortcomings in passing the knowledge or skill and not because of a lack of some sort among the student group or his or her materials.
This all seems like common sense, but as we all know there is very little 'common' sense out there, too often we all do 'what is right in our own eyes'.
Take confidential feedback from all of your classes or course's, review results and your efforts. Recognize your shortfalls, your equipment or training aids deficiencies and take steps (within your abilities) to improve.
Students will enjoy taking your classes.
Have a safe day. js
It has been a slow summer (maybe the downturn...?). Things seem to be picking up again. I have been busy with home renovations so little time to post. I have some thoughts I want to work out then I will post again. Hope you all had a safe relaxing summer. js
I am in the process (continuing) of home renovations. Currently widening out some area's of my mom’s apartment and looking to add a wheelchair accessible ramp. All basic carpentry and plumbing type work with some minor electrical.
The tendency (yes even for us safety guys) is to fling the safety boots, PPE etc to the wind when we are working at home.
Not going to throw statistics and stuff at you, but I am going to remind you that all of the same distractions are at play when working away from work and the hazards are just as great and unpredictable if not planned for.
Take the time to do the work right, safely, the first time. Play safe.
Above are some more pictures from my last trip up north. js
I am currently in an isolated camp north of Yellowknife conducting a Safety Audit. Just the fact that someone has been sent to site to seriously look into work practices raises awareness. Play safe this week.
Took this picture out my tent door a couple of minutes back. js
Securing a casualty to a spine board with a set of Spider Straps.
Securing a man to a basket and board with imporvisation.
Even with all of the busy-ness I have been dealing with I have had time to go into two northern diamond mines and conduct a couple of course's (about two months apart).
It is always fun to work with Mine Rescue men (and women). Off again tomorrow to northern climes to conduct a Safety Audit. A little cooler up there than here... not by much however, it was snowing outside today!
Above are some pictures of the guys packaging casualties.
Well, have spent the past week (and a couple more days to come) conducting two AFMR Level One course's for the Snap Lake Mine here in the Northwest Territories. A young keen bunch of fella's. Pictures will follow. js
Earth day is upon us. Many will do things, some will not. It is great to live in a free country. Still very busy with family events but trying to get back into work.
Our aim is to provide relevant and practical training to your workforce and management, to advise in all areas of safe work practices, related training and for emergency response activities.
Workplaces are inherently hazardous, these conditions can be identified and minimized through the use of a systematic application of safety management guidelines and the exercise of good leadership principals.
Non-Practicing Member of The Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals;
Registrate with the Institute of Corporate Directors; Used to be with The Canadian Society of Safety Engineers and the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians. Spent several years on the Board of The Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario.
Over Twenty years service Canadian Forces.
Dedicated almost two decades to worker safety and rescue in particularly the mining industry.
I want to serve the Lord!
