Letters to the Editor Industry makes progress in safety

The Ontario Mining Association agrees with the heading of your editorial, “Mine deaths must be cut,” in the June 8 issue. Our members are trying to do that.

The fact is that our efforts in job hazards analysis, worker skill training, development of new mining methods and technology, communications programs, workplace inspections and worker involvement are getting results. There has been a 70% cent reduction in lost- time injuries since 1975. The fact is that, according to safety association statistics produced by the Workers’ Compensation Board, miners have a lower compensable injury rate than every other group except hospitals and pulp and paper workers.

The fact is that rockbursts are an insignificant cause of workplace injuries. That said, it should be noted that canmet reports a reduction of recorded rockbursts in Ontario in 1986 of 28% over 1985, from 127 to 92. No rockbursts were recorded in the first quarter of 1987.

The fact is that mining companies with adjoining boundaries have been sharing information about mining procedures for several years, without legislation requiring it. To compare modern mine management with that of the ’30s is like comparing a jumbo jet to a biplane: there may be 100% effort from each, but the results are much different.