1. Ensuring Effective Safety Training - What Workplace Safety North Should Do

Transcription

1 Choosing Our Future: Checkpoint on Zero Harm By 2015 Mining Industry Roundtable Workplace Safety North Response to the Summary Report The roundtable December 15 culminated in a discussion of priorities for the future if the mining industry, supported by the safety association, hopes to continue its drive toward the vision of zero harm. Participants voted on what they considered the most important of five themes, and then brainstormed further on the top two. These initiatives and ideas were categorized as what companies should do and what Workplace Safety North should do. This document responds to the list of suggestions directed to WSN. 1. Ensuring Effective Safety Training - What Workplace Safety North Should Do Develop and deliver training in risk management and leadership Standardize training performance objectives for specialized training (e.g. scoops, bolts etc.) Collect and share best practices on training Disseminate information Eliminate the course minimum attendance requirement Increase awareness of training courses Establish leading indicators and align with global indicators Assist industry in establishing a safety charter Increase resources committed to training mine rescue consultants, training resources Promote zero harm Increase engagement of the industry through frequent messages on safety and more frequent site visits Develop and implement an auditing process for quality of safety training Incorporate incident news into training programs Promote integration of safety and functional training Risk management and leadership training WSN has two risk management courses available field level and operational level risk assessment. These courses will be further promoted to ensure the sector is aware of their availability. Leadership skills and commitment are promoted annually through the mining health and safety conference. Leadership training is also provided through the supervisory common core suite of programs (e.g. Manage employees, Effective communication) and through the mine rescue program. Performance objectives and auditing for quality The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities establishes performance objectives for legislated training, and also sets out requirements for signing authority and accredited trainers, which includes the need to audit training programs. WSN has established performance checklists to evaluate participants in its supervisory common core modules, and these checklists are made available to trainees. Our Choosing our Future: WSN response 1

2 train-the-trainer program covers the auditing of trainers as required by the MTCU standards. WSN evaluates its own training materials and delivery through a feedback system and trainer observation; however WSN has identified the need to strengthen our feedback and evaluation system for training and other programs and has targeted the fourth quarter of 2012 for that work. Share best practices, disseminate information, increase awareness In an effort to increase its outreach and improve our clients awareness of training available, WSN recently mailed a new 2012 catalogue to all member firms, and launched an online training calendar. We also organize the regional training schedule annually by surveying our member companies to determine their anticipated training needs for the following year and then scheduling those courses according to demand. WSN uses its web site, its magazine Every Worker and its digital newsletter to share best practices and other relevant information. It also has plans in place to incorporate social media as another channel for sharing information about health and safety. Please also refer to action items listed on page 4 under Serve as the prime channel for information. Eliminate minimum attendance requirements The minimum limit for most courses has already been reduced from 10 to 8. Minimum numbers are required to ensure a quality learning experience for participants. Most WSN courses particularly the mining supervisory common core have been designed with workshops and other discussion activities built in. For trainees to benefit fully from the transfer of knowledge, there must be enough participants in the room to engage in an exchange of experiences and ideas. WSN is currently investigating marketing approaches to ensure greater uptake on courses so that minimum registrations are met. In addition, the association will investigate alternative delivery methods for some courses such as online training to support greater flexibility. WSN remains flexible to unique circumstances related to minimum training numbers and addresses individual organizational concerns on a case by case basis. Establish leading indicators WSN is currently developing a recognition program which will be based on leading indicators it will focus on the company s commitment, and its health and safety program. We anticipate having this new program in place for We are also involved in a research project headed by the Institute for Work and Health, looking into leading indicators. Safety charter and zero harm please refer to these items under topic 2, Building a Safety Culture. Resources committed to training; more frequent site visits Within the past 12 months, WSN has hired mining-specific consultant trainers in Timmins, Thunder Bay and Sudbury. The association has also received approval to hire two additional mine rescue officers. Our business model seeks to maintain a balance between delivering training and providing consulting services. One of our focuses for consulting is on the firms we identify as being in the greatest Choosing our Future: WSN response 2

3 need. WSN s belief is that helping these companies achieve and move beyond compliance will benefit the sector as a whole. Incorporate incident news into training programs WSN will be working to update its core mining training programs in the next two years, and will discuss ways to build incident news and legislative changes into these modules. Promote integration of safety and functional training As part of an effective internal responsibility system, safety should be integrated into all job positions, and as such should also be built into all training related to those positions. Utmost in any skills training should be consideration and explanation of the safe way to do the work. WSN believes it is the responsibility of the workplace to ensure this is in place. 2. Building a Safety Culture What Workplace Safety North Should Do Provide training programs that promote a safety culture o leadership training o programs focusing on changing beliefs o soft skills training o packaged training for in-house delivery o seminars for front-line workers on getting to zero Serve as the prime channel for accessing and sharing mining related safety information and programs (WSN as CNN) o training programs o information o data/statistics o best practices o new developments Define and promote the vision and concept of zero harm Invest more resources to ensure that training and information materials are available to all Provide structured programs that promote safety culture such as a safety charter and lead indicators Develop a model for developing a safety culture for small companies Promote management commitment, visibility and interaction with sites and workers on safety matters Develop and supporting networks and partnerships o CIM o Minerva o MIHR o safety groups o mentor firms for those who are not doing as well Develop a model/approach for selecting supervisors who are committed to safety Choosing our Future: WSN response 3

4 Provide training programs that promote a safety culture; promote management commitment Further discussion is needed on the question of programs focused on changing beliefs and building safety culture, and whether training in itself can truly be expected to achieve these types of cultural goals. WSN does offer programs both training and a safety meeting package on the internal responsibility system. In addition, the supervisory common core training suite includes modules on soft skills such as communication and coaching. Management commitment is considered key to an effective IRS and to the development of a strong safety culture. This is emphasized in our IRS training and materials. WSN will explore partnerships with other organizations to expand training aimed at influencing culture and management commitment to safety. Serve as the prime channel for information The role as an information hub has long been viewed as important for the safety association. In response to the roundtable, WSN is currently developing a social media strategy as a further channel to disseminate information and facilitate sharing of knowledge among companies. We also have plans to improve the functionality of the WSN web site, and to increase the frequency of information such as sectorspecific incident bulletins. Define and promote zero harm; leading indicators; safety charter Representatives from the Ontario mining industry defined the concept of zero harm during the original roundtable discussions on this vision in 2006: Zero Harm The vision of zero harm was articulated at each session. More than zero injuries, the industry wants to achieve a state of zero harm - no fatalities, injuries, medical aids, incidents, or occupational disease. Zero harm also means a greater focus on health, with prevention and health promotion efforts leading to healthier living not just in the workplace but also at home and in the community. -Roundtable summary report, May 2006, section II, The Industry s Vision WSN continues to promote zero harm through all our publications, courses and activities notably through the annual conference and the new organization reaffirmed zero harm as our own vision in 2010: Our vision Every worker, home safe and healthy. Our mission We are a force for positive action anticipating and responding to the greatest needs of our clients, and bringing together our partners, members, and diverse communities to build safer, healthier, stronger workplaces. Choosing our Future: WSN response 4

5 We are currently developing a recognition program focused on leading indicators see the notes under Topic 1, Effective Safety Training. More resources to ensure training and information materials available to all see notes under Topic 1, Effective Safety Training. Develop and support networks and partnerships WSN does support regional safety groups as well as other sector organizations. We work closely with technical advisory committees in mining, which have been well supported by the province s mining firms. WSN has relationships not only with the organizations listed, but also with the OMA, CDDA, CAMA, and others. Its role in developing and supporting broader partnerships may be a topic for further discussion with industry representatives. Develop model for selecting supervisors committed to safety The supervisor s role is a linchpin for health and safety within an organization. Given the economic climate and demand for skilled and experienced labour within the mining sector, the importance of developing competent supervisors with strong safety values is an organizational responsibility that WSN will look to support on a number of different fronts. WSN s Technical Advisory Committee on Safety and Loss Control has traditionally played a lead role in exploring management systems and cultural issues for the mining industry. WSN will request that the TAC investigate a model for supervisor selection as a project. Once a supervisor has been hired, the suite of supervisory common core training programs provides supervisors with the knowledge they need to be competent. The training is supported by information products such as a guide to face-to-face communication, and a supervisory skills notebook. Over , WSN will be working to refresh the supervisory common core suite of training programs for the mining sector in our effort to provide the most effective training possible to new supervisory staff. Choosing our Future: WSN response 5