On September 7, 2023, Workplace Safety North (WSN) and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (Ministry) hosted a mining webinar, “New diesel exposure limit for underground mines in Ontario.”
New rules to improve ventilation requirements in underground mines and lower exposure to harmful diesel exhaust to the most protective levels in North America came into effect in July. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can be a significant cause of lung cancer in miners.
These amendments respond to calls from unions for a reduction of how much diesel particulate miners can be exposed to underground and follow recommendations from the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review and recent coroner’s inquests.
YouTube video: New diesel exposure limit for underground mines in Ontario https://youtu.be/Uddy2d-DDH8
Discussion topics
- Overview and rationale
- Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations
- Resource information
Resources
Reducing diesel particulate matter in underground mines: Two successful examples – WSN
Health effects of diesel exhaust in mines – WSN
Diesel Particulate in Mines – Current Knowledge and Solutions - WSN
Review of Diesel Particulate Matter Control - Methods in Underground Mines – ResearchGate
Controlling Diesel Particulate Matter in Underground Mines – Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC)