300 attend sold out annual event in Sudbury
View conference proceedings from the 2024 Mining Health and Safety Conference
The 26th annual Mining Health and Safety Conference hosted by Workplace Safety North was held from April 16 to 18 in Sudbury. The theme ‘Inclusive mines, a safer future,’ focused on diversity, equity, and technological advancements to help ensure safer work environments.
Conference Highlights
The first keynote speaker was Tina Varughese, a cross-cultural communication and diversity expert. She emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership to foster employee engagement, open communication, and ultimately create a safer and healthier workplace. She ended the session with a fun Bollywood dance lesson.
A state-of-the-industry address was given by Mike Parent, WSN Acting President and CEO. He provided insights into current trends and challenges in mining health and safety.
John Ryan, Manager of Garson Mine at Vale Base Metals, shared his insights on creating a positive workplace culture.
An industry panel explored the way safety, diversity, and technology intersect in the mining industry.
Workplace generation and technology expert Jeff Butler discussed strategies to build effective multi-generational workplaces. He focused on understanding the motivations, differences, and communication styles across four generations.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with more than 25 vendors over two days at the Information Exchange Trade Show. This was an opportunity to network and learn from colleagues.
Technical sessions
Technical sessions on Thursday delved deeper into specific aspects of mining health and safety. They provide attendees with valuable knowledge and tools to use in their workplaces.
The day concluded with an awards luncheon. The Ontario Mining Contractors Safety Association recognized Cementation for their development of a safety device for lift platforms. Lake Shore Gold received a continuous improvement recognition banner from Workplace Safety North.
Keynote speaker Jill Heinerth wrapped up the conference on Thursday afternoon with a compelling talk on improving safety culture in high-risk environments. Drawing from her experiences as an explorer-in-residence at The Royal Canadian Geographic Society, Heinerth provided insights into risk assessment, leadership, and strategies for creating sustainable, incident-free workplaces.
The Workplace Safety North 2024 Mining Health and Safety Conference finished on a high note, highlighting the commitment of industry leaders to create inclusive and safer workplaces for all. With advancements in technology and a focus on diversity, the future of mining health and safety looks promising.
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