Examining Current Mine Safety

Mine safety is back in the headlines due to recent global mining accidents. As a result, the MSHA has issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to improve protection of miners during and after underground coal mine accidents and evacuations. The provisions of this ETS effect self-contained, self-rescuer (SCSR) storage and use, evacuation training, and the maintenance of lifelines.

While the issue of equipping mines with additional safety equipment is on the mind of government, mining officials believe these proposals are not well thought out and fail to focus on the crucial problems during an accident. Mining officials believe they have implemented as many safety precautions as humanly possible. The key concern for them is a question of tracking and communication with the miners in the event of an accident. 

The reality is that the threat of mining accidents can never be totally eradicated. But, with additional methods of tracking and communicating with the trapped miners, proper SCSR storage and use, evacuation training, and functioning lifelines all mining accidents do not have to result in tragedy.

Join Paul Krivokuca, Norm Johnson and Chris Crawford, who together have more than 65 years of experience in the mining industry as they:

• Examine realistic approaches to mining safety—dealing with the aftermath of an explosion or fire
• Analyze safety best practices in mine operations—evacuation and escape planning
• Look at the implications of safety regulations in the mining industry
  

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THIS PROGRAM IS INTENDED FOR:
VPs, Directors, Managers, Superintendents of: Mine Safety Plant Operations Mining Operations Mine Maintenance

ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS:

Paul Krivokuca, Chief Operating Officer, Underground Operations, Hillsborough Resources Limited Paul’s experience in underground coal mining spans some thirty years in both the United States and Canada. Positions he has held in the U.S. include Safety Director at Canterbury Coal Company’s David Mine, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent at Diane Mine and Mine Manager and General Manager at Cyprus-Amax Minerals Company’s Wabash Mine. In 1996 he accepted the position of Senior Vice President and General Manager for Quinsam Coal Corporation n Campbell River, BC. He currently holds the position of Chief Operation Officer U/G with Hillsborough Resources Limited. Paul’s mining experience covers all aspects of mining from quality control, transportation, regulatory compliance, coal processing and preparation, underground operations, surface facilities, mine maintenance, health and safety, engineering and permitting, to environmental compliance and mitigation, labor relations, financial planning and reporting, long range planning and sustainable resource planning. Paul’s education includes a B.L.S from University of Evansville, a two-year program in Mine Technology at Penn State University and is presently enrolled in the MBA Program at Kellar Graduate School of Management. Norm Johnson, Assistant Mine Manager, Quinsam Coal Corporation Norm began coal mining 30 years ago in Sparwood, BC. He has progressed through the ranks from laborer to his present position as Assistant Mine Manager at Quinsam Coal Corporation. Through out his career he has worked in a number of underground coal mines in Alberta and British Columbia. He also has some experience in underground metal mines. Norm obtained his Third Class Ticket of Competency in 1982 for Alberta and 1986 for BC. He first worked as Fireboss in 1986 at Wolf Mountain Coal. Norm began working at Quinsam Coal in 1992 as a machine operator. He was soon promoted to Fireboss, Senior Shift Foreman, and Safety/Training Supervisor. In 2005 he obtained a Second Class Certificate of Competency for Coal Mines in BC and became the Assistant Manager at Quinsam Coal. Norm has been an active mine rescue member at every mine he has been employed at since 1980. He currently holds an Underground Mine Rescue Instructor Certificate for BC. Chris Crawford, Safety and Training Supervisor, Quinsam Coal Corporation Chris’s underground mining career began in 1997 when he was hired at Quinsam Coal Corporation as a laborer on the U/G construction crew. He progressed to the position of Belt Man then moved onto a mining crew and received training as a General Miner and Face Miner. Chris obtained his Underground Coal Fireboss Certificate in 2004. He accepted the position of Safety and Training Supervisor in 2005. Chris’s mining experience covers all aspects of coal mining including section development, depillar, construction, and rehab. He holds an Occupational First Aid Level III certificate and is a certified member of the Mine Rescue Team. Chris also has some experience in other resource base industries such as logging, sawmill, commercial fishing and diving.